Shloka 19
Lord Śiva Instructs the Pracetās (Śiva-stuti and the Path of Bhakti)
मैत्रेय उवाच प्रचेतस: पितुर्वाक्यं शिरसादाय साधव: । दिशं प्रतीचीं प्रययुस्तपस्यादृतचेतस: ॥ १९ ॥
maitreya uvāca pracetasaḥ pitur vākyaṁ śirasādāya sādhavaḥ diśaṁ pratīcīṁ prayayus tapasy ādṛta-cetasaḥ
Maitreya said: The virtuous Pracetās accepted their father’s words as sacred command, and with steady hearts they went westward to perform tapasya.
In this verse sādhavaḥ, meaning “pious” or “well-behaved,” is very important, especially at the present moment. It is derived from the word sādhu. A perfect sādhu is one who is always engaged in the devotional service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Prācīnabarhi’s sons are described as sādhavaḥ because of their complete obedience to their father. The father, king and spiritual master are supposed to be representatives of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and as such they have to be respected as the Supreme Lord. It is the duty of the father, the spiritual master and the king to regulate their subordinates in such a way that they ultimately become fully unalloyed devotees of the Supreme Lord. That is the duty of the superiors, and it is the duty of the subordinates to obey their orders perfectly and in a disciplined way. The word śirasā, “on their heads,” is also significant, for the Pracetās accepted the orders of their father and carried them on their heads, which means they accepted them in complete surrender.
FAQs
This verse shows the Pracetās honoring their father’s instruction by accepting it “on their heads,” illustrating humility, discipline, and readiness to follow dharmic guidance as part of spiritual progress.
Following their father’s आदेश (instruction), they set out toward the west to undertake penance; the emphasis is on faithful execution of the given spiritual duty, not on travel for its own sake.
Respect sound guidance, accept responsibility with humility, and commit to consistent self-discipline (tapasya)—such as regulated habits, sincere practice, and focused prayer—to steady the mind for devotion.