Shloka 22
Bhakti Yoga: The Three Modes of Devotion, Non-Envy, and Time as the Lord
यो मां सर्वेषु भूतेषु सन्तमात्मानमीश्वरम् । हित्वार्चां भजते मौढ्याद्भस्मन्येव जुहोति स: ॥ २२ ॥
yo māṁ sarveṣu bhūteṣu santam ātmānam īśvaram hitvārcāṁ bhajate mauḍhyād bhasmany eva juhoti saḥ
Ang sumasamba sa anyong-Diyos sa templo ngunit hindi nakikilala Ako bilang Paramātmā, ang Panginoon na nananahan sa puso ng lahat, ay nasa kamangmangan; siya’y tulad ng nag-aalay sa abo.
It is stated clearly herein that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in His plenary expansion of Supersoul, is present in all living entities. The living entities have 8,400,000 different kinds of bodies, and the Supreme Personality of Godhead is living in every body both as the individual soul and as the Supersoul. Since the individual soul is part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, in that sense the Lord is living in every body, and, as Supersoul, the Lord is also present as a witness. In both cases the presence of God in every living entity is essential. Therefore persons who profess to belong to some religious sect but who do not feel the presence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in every living entity, and everywhere else, are in the mode of ignorance.
FAQs
It teaches that Deity worship is incomplete if one neglects the Lord’s presence as Paramātmā in all beings; such worship becomes spiritually barren, like offering into ashes.
While explaining pure devotional service, Kapila warns Devahuti against narrow or hypocritical worship—honoring the Deity while disregarding living beings—because bhakti must include reverence for the Lord within everyone.
Along with temple worship and prayer, practice kindness, non-harm, and respect toward people and animals, seeing them as souls with the Lord in their hearts; let devotion shape daily conduct.