Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 30
Lord Śiva Instructs the Pracetās (Śiva-stuti and the Path of Bhakti)
अथ भागवता यूयं प्रिया: स्थ भगवान् यथा । न मद्भागवतानां च प्रेयानन्योऽस्ति कर्हिचित् ॥ ३० ॥
atha bhāgavatā yūyaṁ priyāḥ stha bhagavān yathā na mad bhāgavatānāṁ ca preyān anyo ’sti karhicit
あなたがたは皆、主のバガヴァタ（献身者）である。ゆえに私は、至上主ご自身と同じくあなたがたを尊び、愛する。また私の献身者にとって、私ほど愛しい者は決していない。
It is said, vaiṣṇavānāṁ yathā śambhuḥ: Lord Śiva is the best of all devotees. Therefore all devotees of Lord Kṛṣṇa are also devotees of Lord Śiva. In Vṛndāvana there is Lord Śiva’s temple called Gopīśvara. The gopīs used to worship not only Lord Śiva but Kātyāyanī, or Durgā, as well, but their aim was to attain the favor of Lord Kṛṣṇa. A devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa does not disrespect Lord Śiva, but worships Lord Śiva as the most exalted devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Consequently whenever a devotee worships Lord Śiva, he prays to Lord Śiva to achieve the favor of Kṛṣṇa, and he does not request material profit. In Bhagavad-gītā (7.20) it is said that generally people worship demigods for some material profit ( kāmais tais tair hṛta-jñānāḥ prapadyante ’nya-devatāḥ ). Driven by material lust, they worship demigods. But a devotee never does so, for he is never driven by material lust. That is the difference between a devotee’s respect for Lord Śiva and an asura’s respect for him. The asura worships Lord Śiva, takes some benediction from him, misuses the benediction, and ultimately is killed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who awards him liberation.
FAQs
This verse teaches that devotees are extremely dear—so dear that serving and respecting the Lord’s devotees is central to pleasing great devotees like Lord Shiva and progressing in bhakti.
In the context of instructing and blessing the Pracetas, Lord Shiva reveals his Vaishnava heart: his love for the Supreme Lord naturally extends to those who are devoted to Him.
Seek saintly association, avoid offenses, support sincere practitioners, and practice humility—treating devotees with respect as a practical way to deepen devotion.