Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.9.20
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionFearlessness Through Shelter in the Lord
“Śukadeva Gosvāmī then said to Mahārāja Parīkṣit: O Viṣṇudatta, those who already know that the soul is separate from the body, who are liberated from the invincible knot in the heart, who are always engaged in welfare activities for all living entities and who never contemplate harming anyone are always protected by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who carries His disc [the Sudarśana cakra] and acts as supreme time to kill the demons and protect His devotees. The devotees always take shelter at the lotus feet of the Lord. Therefore at all times, even if threatened by decapitation, they remain unagitated. For them, this is not at all wonderful.”
What the purport teaches
- A pure devotee is firmly convinced that the spirit soul is different from the body. This spiritual understanding allows the devotee to remain unafraid even when life is threatened.
- Devotees wish well to all living entities and never contemplate harming anyone. They do not even treat an enemy as an enemy.
- Devotees always take shelter at the Lord’s lotus feet and depend fully on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Lord is always eager to protect them in all circumstances.
Try this today
When a worry arises today, pause and remember that you are different from the body, then offer a prayer for shelter at the Lord’s lotus feet.
Ask yourself
How could remembering my spiritual identity help me respond to fear without hostility?
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.