Taking Shelter of Kṛṣṇa - The Infallible Foundation of Peace
Taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa is the most vital requirement for a living entity seeking relief from the anxieties of material existence. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that the Lord is the ultimate source of everything and the only person capable of providing absolute protection, ensuring that those who surrender to Him never perish.
Kṛṣṇa as the Ultimate and Universal Shelter
The scriptures conclude that Kṛṣṇa is the supreme shelter of all manifestations. His mercy is universally accessible, welcoming everyone from the most learned to those of lower births, promising each a path to the supreme destination.
- Krsna is the shelter.
- Krsna Himself says that regardless of one's position, if one takes shelter of Him, one can approach the supreme destination.
- According to Bhagavad-gita (9.32), anyone can take shelter of Krsna. Krsna never denies anyone, and similarly, Krsna's devotee never denies anyone. That is this Krsna consciousness movement.
- Although He is the supreme cause, the cause of all causes, He is still parama, transcendental, and His form is sac-cid-ananda, eternal, spiritual bliss. Krsna is the shelter of everything, and this is the verdict of all scripture.
Leaving the Dark Well of Material Life
Material life is compared to a dark well (andha-kūpa) or a blind well. Great authorities like Prahlāda Mahārāja advise that the highest course is to leave this anxiety - filled state and seek shelter in Kṛṣṇa.
- Go, leave your, this so-called family, home, and go to the forest and take shelter of Krsna. - That is advised by Prahlada Maharaja. - That is the best thing in life.
- In the dark well of family life, one is always full of anxiety because of having accepted a temporary body. If one wants to free himself from this anxiety, one should immediately leave family life and take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Real renunciation means you have to give up the andha-kupa life and take shelter of Krsna, harim asrayeta. If you take shelter of Krsna, then you can give up this, all this "ism" life. Otherwise, it is not possible.
- Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has sung in his Gitavali: miche mayara vase, yaccha bhese', khaccha habudubu, bhai. "My dear mind, under the influence of maya you are being carried away by the waves of rejection and acceptance. Simply take shelter of Krsna."
The Intelligence of Choosing Kṛṣṇa
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa is the hallmark of an intelligent person. By doing so, one receives direct guidance from the Lord and transcends the confusion that plagues those who rely on mental concoction.
- A person who is intelligent and able to understand the philosophy of Krsna consciousness naturally gives up everything and takes to the shelter of Krsna.
- If we take Krsna's shelter, at least we shall get little intelligence. Dadami buddhi-yogam tam: "He gets the intelligence directly from Me." And that is wanted.
- One should not futilely try to deliver himself in spiritual realization. Let everyone take shelter of the supreme omnipotent Godhead Krsna. That is the highest perfection of life.
- If we want to curb lamentation for good, then we have to take shelter of Krsna, as Arjuna is seeking to do. So Arjuna asked Krsna to solve his problem definitely, and that is the way of Krsna consciousness.
The Methodology of Surrender
Taking shelter is a practical process involving the spiritual master, the holy name, and the study of scripture. It is not an abstract concept but a systematic method of approaching Kṛṣṇa through His representatives.
- Of course, it is not possible to take the shelter of Krsna directly. That is not possible. May be possible by Krsna's special mercy, but general process is you have to go through the mercy or process of accepting a guru.
- Taking shelter of these books means taking shelter of Krsna. There is no doubt about it and if you stick to this principle there will be no attack from Maya.
- The Lord (Caitanya) replied, "You should engage yourself in the service of the servants of Krsna and always chant the holy name of Krsna. If you do these two things, you will very soon attain shelter at Krsna's lotus feet."
- Upasrita means "taking shelter of Me." Unless you take shelter of Krsna or His representative, there is no possibility of being detached from this material enjoyment.
Transcending Fear and Death
The ultimate result of taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa is fearlessness. The devotee is protected at the time of death and is transferred to the spiritual world, transcending the cycle of birth and death.
- Everyone should take shelter of the Supreme Person, who is the source of fearlessness, and thus be secure.
- No one can be saved from the imminent danger of death without taking shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Krsna can revive one's original identity at the time of one's death, even though the mind may be flickering. Although the mind may work imperfectly at the time of death, Krsna gives a devotee shelter at His lotus feet.
- If we take shelter of Krsna seriously, there will be no fear of being thrown back into the cycle of so many species of life. A sincere devotee will surely be transferred to the abode of Krsna, as affirmed in the Bhagavad-gita.
The Safety of Sincere Endeavor
A unique feature of spiritual life is that any attempt to take shelter of Kṛṣṇa is never lost. Even if the effort is immature or left unfinished, the soul is protected and will eventually reach the goal.
- If, however, he gives up his prescribed duty and somehow - either out of sentiment or association or craziness or whatever - takes shelter of Krsna and if, due to his immaturity, he falls from the devotional path, still there is no loss for him.
- He has taken to the shelter of Krsna, therefore his all past business is finished. Although, due to past habit, sometimes you find some mistake, it is not to be taken.
- Prahlada Maharaja suffered greatly, but still he never forgot the lotus feet of the Lord. This is because a pure devotee of the Lord is so purified in his heart that he cannot leave the shelter of Lord Krsna in any circumstances.
- Krsna continued, "It is My eternal principle that anyone who comes under My shelter must have all his desires fulfilled by My grace."
Conclusion
Taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate goal of life and the source of all spiritual success. Śrīla Prabhupāda invites everyone to take this process seriously, promising that Kṛṣṇa never perishes His devotees and always fulfills their desires. Whether one seeks protection from the miseries of this world or the supreme destination of the spiritual kingdom, the path is the same: to abandon all mundane supports and rest fully in the merciful lotus feet of the Lord. By doing so, the living entity is restored to their original identity and finds the peace and fearlessness that can only be found under the ultimate shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Taking Shelter of Kṛṣṇa. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.