Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 17
Bhakti Yoga: The Three Modes of Devotion, Non-Envy, and Time as the Lord
महतां बहुमानेन दीनानामनुकम्पया । मैत्र्या चैवात्मतुल्येषु यमेन नियमेन च ॥ १७ ॥
mahatāṁ bahu-mānena dīnānām anukampayā maitryā caivātma-tulyeṣu yamena niyamena ca
The pure devotee should execute devotional service by giving the greatest respect to the spiritual master and the ācāryas. He should be compassionate to the poor and make friendship with persons who are his equals, but all his activities should be executed under regulation and with control of the senses.
In Bhagavad-gītā, Thirteenth Chapter, it is clearly stated that one should execute devotional service and advance on the path of spiritual knowledge by accepting the ācārya. Ācāryopāsanam: one should worship an ācārya, a spiritual master who knows things as they are. The spiritual master must be in the disciplic succession from Kṛṣṇa. The predecessors of the spiritual master are his spiritual master, his grand spiritual master, his great-grand spiritual master and so on, who form the disciplic succession of ācāryas.
FAQs
This verse highlights honoring great souls, compassion to the distressed, friendship with equals, and disciplined conduct through yama and niyama.
Kapila instructs Devahuti on the practical culture of devotional service—how a bhakta relates to saints, suffering beings, peers, and personal discipline.
Respect genuine spiritual teachers, actively help those in difficulty, build healthy friendships, and keep steady daily spiritual and ethical routines.