God Gives Fearlessness - The Supreme Shelter of Abhaya
Material existence is synonymous with anxiety. According to the Vedic scriptures, as long as one identifies with the temporary material body, fear will inevitably follow—fear of disease, fear of loss, and ultimately, the immense fear of death. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the spiritual path offers a profound antidote. By taking absolute shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the soul achieves a state of abhaya, or complete fearlessness. In every age, God gives fearlessness to His sincere devotees, proving that He is the ultimate protector of the surrendered soul.
Root of Material Anxiety
The fundamental cause of fear is our absorption in the temporary material energy and our forgetfulness of our eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa. Time, which brings about old age and destruction, is the greatest source of terror for the materialist. Yet, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that a devotee views time completely differently. Because a devotee recognizes the time factor as simply another manifestation of the Supreme Lord, they face the future without a trace of dread.
- Everyone is afraid of the activities of time, but a devotee who knows that the time factor is another representation or manifestation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead has nothing to fear from the influence of time.
- The recommendation of Rupa Gosvami for reviving our original Krsna consciousness is that somehow or other we should apply our minds to Krsna very seriously and thus also become fearless of death.
- I take shelter of Him only, because He can give me relief from all fear and from Him I have received this condition of life, which is just befitting my impious activities.
Lotus Feet of Abhaya
To conquer the darkness of ignorance, one must approach the perpetual light. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord are specifically described as abhaya, the realm of fearlessness. By abandoning our reliance on fallible material defenses and surrendering to the Lord's forward steps, we are instantly relieved from all cosmic and personal anxieties.
- Now it is our duty to seek shelter again at the Lord's lotus feet. This shelter is described as abhaya, or fearless.
- The forward steps of the Lord are the shelter for the upper, lower and heavenly planets, as well as for all that we need. His lotus feet serve as protection from all kinds of fear.
- One who takes shelter of the Lord, the perpetual light, has no fear of being annihilated in the darkness of fog or ignorance.
- The yogis, equipped with transcendental knowledge and renunciation and engaged in devotional service for their eternal benefit, take shelter of My lotus feet, and since I am the Lord, they are thus eligible to enter into the kingdom of Godhead without fear.
The Supreme Protector
When the universe is disturbed by powerful atheists and demons, even the great demigods become paralyzed by fear. In such desperate times, Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that the Lord personally descends to reinstate order and protect His devotees. By meditating on the Lord's protective incarnations, such as Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, Lord Vāmanadeva, and Lord Dhanvantari, a devotee is shielded from every conceivable danger.
- The Personality of Godhead assumed the incarnation of Nrsimhadeva in order to vanquish the great fears of the demigods.
- His (The Lord) toleration was displayed mainly to drive away the fears of the demigods, who should know that the Lord is always present to protect them.
- Indra, King of heaven, being protected by the arms of Vamanadeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, thus regained his rule of the three worlds and was reinstated in his own position, supremely opulent, fearless and fully satisfied.
- May the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His incarnation as Dhanvantari relieve me from undesirable eatables and protect me from physical illness. May Lord Rsabhadeva, who conquered His inner and outer senses, protect me from fear produced by the duality of heat and cold.
Fearless Realm of Vaikuntha
The ultimate destination for the fearless soul is the spiritual sky, known as Vaikuṇṭha—the place where there is no anxiety. Śrīla Prabhupāda beautifully explains the secret of Vaikuṇṭha: fear exists only where there are conflicting, selfish interests. Because every resident of the spiritual world has uniquely united their desires with the desires of the Supreme Lord, fear simply cannot exist there.
- There is no fear in the Vaikuntha planets because of the united interests of the Lord and the residents.
- When the devotee is further advanced, he has nothing to fear. He considers the Lord and himself on an equal level.
Conclusion
There is no material weapon, bank account, or philosophical argument that can permanently save a person from the fearful grip of material nature. Śrīla Prabhupāda guarantees that true, everlasting peace is found only in surrender. By deeply engaging in devotional service and completely trusting in the Lord's absolute protection, the devotee conquers the terrifying illusions of this world and enters the fearless, eternal reality of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category God Gives Fearlessness. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.