Hare Krsna dear Prabhujis & Matajis,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev.
In Srimad Bhagavatam 5.18.20, there is a very nice prayer by Goddess of Fortune, Lakshmiji:
sa vai patiḥ syād akutobhayaḥ svayaṁ
samantataḥ pāti bhayāturaṁ janam
sa eka evetarathā mitho bhayaṁ
naivātmalābhād adhi manyate param
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.
A person who can provide protection is known as 'Puruṣa'. A 'Puruṣa' to provide protection has to be 'sāmartha' or able. The most sāmartha, the most able Puruṣa is known as Purushottama. Krsna is that Purushottama, the Supreme Person (BG 15.17). However, being ignorant we seek shelter for fulfilment of our needs, wants and protection elsewhere. Like Draupadi, we also learn the hard way that apart from Krsna's shelter, if we take any others' shelter, we are bound to become desponded and defeated in our endeavours.
Only Krsna deserves to be our pati, our protector. However, because we do not serve or care for Krsna, we do not deserve to be under His protection.
Knowing my lack of faith, Maharaj often brings my attention to Bhagavatam 1.13.41 - 'lokāḥ sapālā yasyeme vahanti balim īśituḥ' - 'all living beings and their leaders carry on worship to be well protected'.
When I feel exposed to the onslaughts of miseries and I dwell on it, I know very well that I have no one else but myself to blame for not having taken to the prescription for being well protected.
This Lakshmijis' prayer re-enforces that no one else is a better husband and protector than Krsna'. Therefore I should place all my hopes on His Lotus feet alone.
Your servant,
Viraja Krsna das
Sydney.
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