Shloka 39
Lord Śiva Instructs the Pracetās (Śiva-stuti and the Path of Bhakti)
सर्वसत्त्वात्मदेहाय विशेषाय स्थवीयसे । नमस्त्रैलोक्यपालाय सह ओजोबलाय च ॥ ३९ ॥
sarva-sattvātma-dehāya viśeṣāya sthavīyase namas trailokya-pālāya saha ojo-balāya ca
My Lord, You are the vast universal form that contains within Yourself the bodies of all living beings. You are distinct and supremely great. O protector of the three worlds, endowed with vigor and strength, I offer You my obeisances.
As the individual body of the living entity is composed of millions of cells, germs and microbes, the universal body of the Supreme Lord similarly contains all the individual bodies of the living entities. Lord Śiva is offering his obeisances to the universal body, which includes all other bodies, so that everyone’s body may fully engage in devotional service. Since this individual body is composed of senses, all the senses should be engaged in devotional service. For instance, the smelling instrument, the nose, can engage in smelling the flowers offered to the lotus feet of the Lord, the hands can engage in cleansing the temple of the Lord, etc. Indeed, being the life air of every living entity, the Lord is the maintainer of the three worlds. Consequently He can induce every living entity to engage in his real life’s duty with full bodily and mental strength. Thus every living entity should serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead by his prāṇa (life), artha (wealth), intelligence and words. As stated in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.22.35) :
FAQs
This verse praises the Lord as “sarva-sattvātma”—the indwelling Self of all living beings—highlighting His presence within everyone while remaining transcendent and distinct.
The Pracetas were performing intense austerities and received Lord Śiva’s audience; they glorified him as the protector and powerful lord, recognizing his divine majesty and his role in guiding devotees toward the Supreme.
Cultivating respect, compassion, and restraint—treating others as spiritually significant—becomes a daily practice when one remembers the Divine as the inner Self of all.