Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 26

The Pracetās Meet Lord Viṣṇu—Benedictions, Pure Prayer, and the Birth of Dakṣa

Devanagari script

नम: कमलकिञ्जल्कपिशङ्गामलवाससे । सर्वभूतनिवासाय नमोऽयुङ्‌क्ष्महि साक्षिणे ॥ २६ ॥

Transliteration

namaḥ kamala-kiñjalka- piśaṅgāmala-vāsase sarva-bhūta-nivāsāya namo ’yuṅkṣmahi sākṣiṇe

Translation

Dear Lord, the garment You have put on is yellowish in color, like the saffron of a lotus flower, but it is not made of anything material. Since You live in everyone’s heart, You are the direct witness of all the activities of all living entities. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You again and again.

Synonyms

• namaḥ: salutations
• namaḥ: Sambodhana/Address (सम्बोधन-प्रयोगः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: namas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), interjection/particle (नमः-प्रयोगः) used for salutation

• kamala-kiñjalka-piśaṅga-amala-vāsase: to the one with spotless tawny garments (like lotus filaments)
• kamala-kiñjalka-piśaṅga-amala-vāsase: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kamala (प्रातिपदिक) + kiñjalka (प्रातिपदिक) + piśaṅga (प्रातिपदिक) + amala (प्रातिपदिक) + vāsas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter stem vāsas-, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular (एकवचन); compound used as epithet: ‘to (him) whose garment is spotless and tawny like lotus-filaments’

• sarva-bhūta-nivāsāya: to the indweller of all beings
• sarva-bhūta-nivāsāya: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + bhūta (प्रातिपदिक) + nivāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular; ‘to the abode of all beings’

• namaḥ: salutations
• namaḥ: Sambodhana/Address (सम्बोधन-प्रयोगः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: namas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), salutation particle

• ayuṅkṣmahi: we offered / we joined (in salutation)
• ayuṅkṣmahi: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yuj (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ (लङ्, imperfect/past), 1st person (उत्तमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद); form: अयुङ्क्ष्महि

• sākṣiṇe: to the witness
• sākṣiṇe: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sākṣin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular; ‘to the witness’

Purport

In this verse the dress of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His all-pervasive nature are described. The Lord puts on a dress that is yellow, but such a garment is never to be considered material. The garments of the Lord are also the Lord. They are nondifferent from the Lord because they are spiritual in nature.

Characters & Entities

• Lord Viṣṇu (Nārāyaṇa)
• The Pracetās

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about God as the witness (sākṣī) in the heart?

This verse addresses Lord Viṣṇu as the sākṣī—the supreme Witness—teaching that the Lord is present within all beings and observes all actions, guiding the devotee toward sincere surrender.

Why did the Pracetās offer this prayer to Lord Viṣṇu?

In Canto 4, Chapter 30, the Pracetās meet Lord Viṣṇu and glorify Him with reverent prayers, recognizing Him as the pure, all-pervading indweller and the inner witness of every living entity.

How can I apply the teaching of 'sarva-bhūta-nivāsa' in modern life?

By remembering that the Lord resides in all hearts, one develops humility, compassion, and self-restraint—treating others respectfully and acting responsibly, knowing the divine witness is present within.