This verse is notable for the use of the word "Bhakti", and has been widely cited as among the earliest mentions of "the love of God". Scholars have debated whether this phrase is authentic or later insertion into the Upanishad, and whether the terms "Bhakti" and "God" meant the same in this ancient text as they do in the medieval and modern era Bhakti traditions found in India. Max Muller states that the word "Bhakti" appears only in one last verse of the epilogue, could have been a later insertion and may not be theistic as the word was later used in much later "Sandilya Sutras". Grierson as well as Carus note that the first epilogue verse 6.21 is also notable for its use of the word "Deva Prasada" (देवप्रसाद, grace or gift of God), but add that "Deva" in the epilogue of the Shvetashvatara Upanishad refers to "pantheistic Brahman" and the closing credit to sage Shvetashvatara in verse 6.21 can mean "gift or grace of his Soul".