Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.18.20
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionTake Shelter of the Fearless Lord
“He alone who is never afraid but who, on the contrary, gives complete shelter to all fearful persons can actually become a husband and protector. Therefore, my Lord, You are the only husband, and no one else can claim this position. If You were not the only husband, You would be afraid of others. Therefore persons learned in all Vedic literature accept only Your Lordship as everyone’s master, and they think no one else a better husband and protector than You.”
What the purport teaches
- A true protector must be fearless and able to give complete shelter to those who are afraid. Only the Supreme Lord fully possesses this position.
- Material leaders and guardians remain under material nature’s control, and their positions can end at the Lord’s will. Their claims cannot give others complete protection.
- Real advancement means accepting Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as one’s master. Those responsible for others should help them learn to surrender to Him rather than pretend to be all-powerful.
Try this today
Bring one fear to Kṛṣṇa in prayer today, asking to learn how to take shelter of Him.
Ask yourself
How can I care for others while remembering that Kṛṣṇa is their ultimate protector?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.