Shloka 27

Bhakti Yoga: The Three Modes of Devotion, Non-Envy, and Time as the Lord

Devanagari script

अथ मां सर्वभूतेषु भूतात्मानं कृतालयम् । अर्हयेद्दानमानाभ्यां मैत्र्याभिन्नेन चक्षुषा ॥ २७ ॥

Transliteration

atha māṁ sarva-bhūteṣu bhūtātmānaṁ kṛtālayam arhayed dāna-mānābhyāṁ maitryābhinnena cakṣuṣā

Translation

Therefore one should worship Me, who dwell in all beings as their very Self, by charity and honor, by friendly conduct, and by seeing all with an undivided vision.

Synonyms

• अथ: then/thereupon
• अथ: अव्यय-सम्बन्ध (discourse marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अधिकार/अनन्तरबोधक अव्यय (then/now)

• माम्: me
• माम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (व्यक्तिवाचक), द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन — Accusative singular (1st person pronoun)

• सर्व-भूतेषु: in all beings
• सर्व-भूतेषु: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), बहुवचन — Locative plural; समासः कर्मधारय (सर्वाणि भूतानि)

• भूत-आत्मानम्: the Self of all beings
• भूत-आत्मानम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन — Accusative singular; समासः तत्पुरुष (भूतानाम् आत्मा = the Self of beings)

• कृत-आलयम्: having made (them) His abode; indwelling
• कृत-आलयम्: विशेषण (qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत (कृ-धातोः क्त-कृदन्त) + आलय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन — Accusative singular; समासः तत्पुरुष (कृतः आलयः यस्य/यत्र = having made (them) a dwelling; ‘indwelling’)

• अर्हयेत्: should honor/worship
• अर्हयेत्: क्रिया (injunctive/vidhi)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्ह् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• दान-मानाभ्याम्: by gifts and honor
• दान-मानाभ्याम्: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक) + मान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), द्विवचन — Instrumental dual; समासः द्वन्द्व (दानं च मानं च)

• मैत्र्या: with friendliness
• मैत्र्या: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मैत्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन — Instrumental singular

• अभिन्नेन: undivided/unseparated
• अभिन्नेन: विशेषण (qualifier of instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभिन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन — Instrumental singular; चक्षुषा इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्

• चक्षुषा: with the eye/vision
• चक्षुषा: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्षुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन — Instrumental singular

Purport

It should not be misunderstood that because the Supersoul is dwelling within the heart of a living entity, the individual soul has become equal to Him. The equality of the Supersoul and the individual soul is misconceived by the impersonalist. Here it is distinctly mentioned that the individual soul should be recognized in relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The method of worshiping the individual soul is described here as either giving charitable gifts or behaving in a friendly manner, free from any separatist outlook. The impersonalist sometimes accepts a poor individual soul as being daridra-nārāyaṇa, meaning that Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, has become poor. This is a contradiction. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is full in all opulences. He can agree to live with a poor soul or even with an animal, but this does not make Him poor.

Characters & Entities

• Kapila
• Devahuti

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam 3.29.27 teach about seeing God in all beings?

It teaches that the Lord resides as the indwelling Soul within every being, so a devotee honors Him by respecting all creatures, giving charity, and maintaining a friendly, non-divisive vision.

Why did Lord Kapila speak this instruction to Devahuti in Canto 3?

Kapila is teaching Devahuti the practical marks of devotional service—how inner realization (Paramatma in all) must express itself outwardly as compassion, respect, and generosity.

How can this verse be applied in modern life?

Practice daily respect in speech and behavior, support others through honest charity or service, and train the mind to see every person as a soul—reducing envy, harsh judgment, and social division.