Faith in God’s protection means accepting that what he protects may be different from what we expect him to protect.

One of the most celebrated verses in the Bhagavad Gita about the Lord’s protection is 9.31, where Krishna exhorts Arjuna to declare to the world that those devoted to him will never perish. This unambiguous and emphatic proclamation can be immensely reassuring and inspiring for those paralyzed by the world’s complexities and uncertainties.

At the same time, if we carefully consider the context in which Krishna makes this proclamation, we can infer that he is referring to a form of protection that differs from our usual expectations. Specifically, Krishna refers to protection from falling into immorality and degradation—a danger ever-present for anyone striving to lead a life of ethical and spiritual standards, especially those pursuing a personal and deep relationship with him through bhakti. For spiritual seekers, this danger of moral and spiritual downfall is real and significant, warranting protection from the many temptations of the world.

Yet, the dangers that confront us daily and burden us heavily may often be of a different dimension. They may include:

The physical danger of crime, such as being robbed or assaulted.

Threats to life due to religious intolerance or extremism.

Financial instability due to job loss or economic volatility.

Health crises involving severe or incurable diseases.

Emotional anguish from strained relationships or fears for loved ones.

These are real and serious concerns that arise as we navigate life’s responsibilities while pursuing spiritual growth in our relationship with Krishna.

Can we expect Krishna’s protection in these areas?

Yes and no. Krishna does not neglect or reject the material and practical side of a devotee’s life. After all, he has given us our physical body and resources, and he declares in 18.47 that we can worship him through our work. This indicates the sanctity of our worldly endeavors, especially when infused with devotional consciousness.

However, Krishna’s purpose and priority may differ from ours. He may:

  1. Want us to acquire abundant resources to serve him effectively, or
  2. Want us to avoid distractions that may arise even from things meant for his service.

Just as a father who seeks wealth for his family may end up prioritizing the pursuit of wealth over the family itself, Krishna may guide us away from worldly distractions to protect our spiritual focus.

Even if Krishna’s purpose is for us to serve him through material resources, his priority may still be to purify us first. Such purification ensures that those resources, when granted, do not divert us from our service to him.

Thus, while we may expect Krishna to protect our possessions, his priority may be to protect our realizations in the spiritual domain. While we may hope for protection in worldly relationships, his focus may be on safeguarding our eternal relationship with him—the only relationship that is both everlasting and enriching.

Balancing Expectations with Reality

Acknowledging the difference between Krishna’s purpose and priority does not mean fearing that he doesn’t care about the things that concern us. Just as parents care about their children’s concerns—even if those concerns are about trivial things—Krishna cares for our present concerns, even if we will outgrow them with spiritual growth.

Looking back, many of us can see how Krishna has addressed even our practical concerns in ways we couldn’t have anticipated—ways better than we expected, though those issues might now seem less significant than they did at the time.

By contemplating this, we can avoid two extremes:

  1. Expecting that Krishna will protect us exactly as we want.
  2. Fearing that Krishna doesn’t care about us at all.

Instead, we can find a balanced middle path: trusting that Krishna will protect us, while accepting that his purpose and priority may differ from ours. This requires patience and persistence—patience to see how his protection unfolds and persistence in doing our part in his service while waiting for his intervention.

Summary:

  • We often expect Krishna’s protection in areas we perceive as threatening, such as health, finances, and relationships. However, Krishna sees the greatest danger as our relapse into immorality and spiritual degradation, warranting his protection in those areas.
  • To align with Krishna’s purpose and priority, we need to appreciate that his care extends to what we may not presently value. His protection often addresses deeper, eternal needs over temporary, material concerns.
  • By cultivating patience to await his protection and persistence in doing our part in service, we can harmonize our expectations with Krishna’s divine plan for our ultimate welfare.

Think it over:

  • Why does Krishna’s perception of danger and our need for protection often differ from ours?
  • Why are the two attributes – patience and persistence – essential to steady our relationship with him when expecting his protection?
  • How can you apply these attributes in a situation where you currently seek Krishna’s protection?

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16.01 The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Fearlessness; purification of one’s existence; cultivation of spiritual knowledge; charity; self-control; performance of sacrifice; study of the Vedas; austerity; simplicity; … [ – these transcendental qualities, O son of Bharata, belong to godly men endowed with divine nature.]