1064 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 4, Ch. 24
ceive instructions from the all-perfect, there is no chance of their being
misled. This is also confirmed in Bhagavad-gita: dadami buddhi-yogam
tam yena mam upayanti te (Bg. 10.10). The Lord is always ready to give
instructions to the pure devotee so that the devotee can advance further
and further in devotional service. Since the Lord gives instructions as
Sarvatma, the Supersoul, Lord Siva offers Him respect with the words
sarvatma atmane namah. The individual soul is called atma, and the Lord
is also called atma as well as Paramatma. Being situated in everyone’s
heart, the Lord is known as the supreme atma. Therefore all obeisances are
offered unto Him. In this regard, one may refer to the prayers of Kunti in
the First Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam:

tatha paramahamsanam muninam amalatmanam

bhaktiyoga-vidhanartham katham pasyema hi striyah (Bhag. 1.8.20)

The Lord is always ready to give instructions to the paramahamsas, or

the topmost devotees of the Lord who are completely liberated from all
contaminations of the material world. The Lord always gives instructions
to such exalted devotees to inform them how they can remain fixed in
devotional service. Similarly, it is stated in the atmarama verse:

atmaramas ca munayo nirgrantha apy urukrame

kurvanty ahaitukim bhaktim itthambhuta-guno harih (Bhag. 1.7.10)

The word atmarama refers to those who are not interested in the mate-
rial world but are simply engaged in spiritual realization. Such self-realized
persons are generally considered in two categories—impersonal and personal.
However, impersonalists also become devotees when they are attracted by
the personal transcendental qualities of the Lord. The conclusion is that
Lord Siva wanted to remain a fixed devotee of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, Vasudeva. As explained in the following verses, Lord Siva never
desires to merge into the existence of the Supreme Lord like the imper-
sonalists. Rather, he thinks that it would be good fortune for him to con-
tinue to be fixed in the understanding of the Lord as the Supreme Being.
By this understanding, one realizes that all living entities—including Lord
Siva, Lord Brahma and other demigods—are servants of the Supreme Lord.
TEXT 34
AR: TETAS PTAA RATCAA |
TSA WITT FATT ATA vl
