Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 26
Ṛṣabhadeva Instructs His Sons: Tapasya, Mahātmā-Sevā, and Cutting the Heart-Knot
सर्वाणि मद्धिष्ण्यतया भवद्भि- श्चराणि भूतानि सुता ध्रुवाणि । सम्भावितव्यानि पदे पदे वो विविक्तदृग्भिस्तदु हार्हणं मे ॥ २६ ॥
sarvāṇi mad-dhiṣṇyatayā bhavadbhiś carāṇi bhūtāni sutā dhruvāṇi sambhāvitavyāni pade pade vo vivikta-dṛgbhis tad u hārhaṇaṁ me
എൻ മക്കളേ, ചരമോ അചരമോ ആയ യാതൊരു ജീവിയോടും അസൂയ കാണിക്കരുത്. ഞാൻ എല്ലാവരിലും അധിഷ്ഠിതനാണെന്ന് അറിഞ്ഞ്, ഓരോ നിമിഷവും എല്ലാവർക്കും ആദരം അർപ്പിക്കുക; അതുവഴി എനിക്കുതന്നെ പൂജയാകുന്നു.
In this verse the word vivikta-dṛgbhiḥ, meaning without envy, is used. All living entities are the abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His Paramātmā feature. As confirmed in Brahma-saṁhitā: aṇḍāntara-sthaṁ paramāṇu-cayāntara-stham. The Lord is situated in this universe as Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu and Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu. He is also situated within every atom. According to the Vedic statement: īśāvāsyam idaṁ sarvam. The Supreme Lord is situated everywhere, and wherever He is situated is His temple. We even offer respects to a temple from a distant place, and all living entities should similarly be offered respect. This is different from the theory of pantheism, which holds that everything is God. Everything has a relationship with God because God is situated everywhere. We should not make any particular distinction between the poor and the rich like the foolish worshipers of daridra-nārāyaṇa. Nārāyaṇa is present in the rich as well as the poor. One should not simply think Nārāyaṇa is situated among the poor. He is everywhere. An advanced devotee will offer respects to everyone — even to cats and dogs.
FAQs
This verse teaches that all moving beings are abodes of the Lord; therefore a devotee should honor them at every step, and such respect is counted as worship offered to Him.
While guiding them in dharma and renunciation, Ṛṣabhadeva emphasizes purified vision—recognizing the Lord’s presence in every creature—so their conduct becomes truly devotional rather than merely social or ritual.
Practice non-violence, empathy, and mindful speech; treat people and animals with dignity, and remember God’s presence in them—turning everyday interactions into devotional service.