Shloka 69
Lord Śiva Instructs the Pracetās (Śiva-stuti and the Path of Bhakti)
इदं जपत भद्रं वो विशुद्धा नृपनन्दना: । स्वधर्ममनुतिष्ठन्तो भगवत्यर्पिताशया: ॥ ६९ ॥
idaṁ japata bhadraṁ vo viśuddhā nṛpa-nandanāḥ sva-dharmam anutiṣṭhanto bhagavaty arpitāśayāḥ
O sons of the King, perform your royal duty with a purified heart. Chant this stotra with the mind fixed on the Lord’s lotus feet; it will bring you all auspiciousness, for Bhagavān will be pleased with you.
The prayers offered by Lord Śiva are very authoritative and significant. Simply by offering prayers to the Supreme Lord one can become perfect, even though engaged in his occupational duty. The real purpose of life is to become a devotee of the Lord. It does not matter where one is situated. Whether one is a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra, American, Englishman, Indian, etc., one can execute devotional service anywhere and everywhere in the material existence simply by offering prayers unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra is also a prayer, for a prayer addresses the Supreme Personality of Godhead by His name and invokes good fortune by petitioning the Lord to allow one to engage in His devotional service. The Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra also says, “My dear Lord Kṛṣṇa, my dear Lord Rāma, O energy of the Lord, Hare, kindly engage me in Your service.” Although one may be situated in a lowly position, he can execute devotional service under any circumstance, as stated, ahaituky apratihatā: “Devotional service cannot be checked by any material condition.” ( Bhāg. 1.2.6 ) Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu also recommended this process:
FAQs
This verse instructs the Pracetās to chant and simultaneously follow their prescribed duties, dedicating their inner intention and hope to the Supreme Lord—showing bhakti harmonized with dharma.
Lord Shiva blesses the king’s sons with a devotional method: by chanting and offering their aspirations to Bhagavān while remaining steady in svadharma, they become purified and successful in their spiritual mission.
Do your responsibilities sincerely, but inwardly dedicate your goals, anxieties, and expectations to the Lord—keeping a daily practice of mantra-japa and offering the results of work in devotion.