18.57 – Seek shelter to wear the armor; use the armor to feel the shelter

People often ask: “What is the use of remembering Krishna?”

It acts as a shelter and as armor.

As a shelter, it helps us rest and recover after life’s exhausting battles. By remembering Krishna, we get spiritual energy to recoup and regroup, thereby preparing us for future battles.

As armor, it provides inner stability and clarity amidst life’s battles. When we pray or chant and seek Krishna’s help amidst moments of pressure, we feel an inner presence that steadies and illumines.

Pertinently, the Bhagavad-gita (18.57) urges us to do all our activities for him and also cultivate his remembrance. These two gifts of remembrance of Krishna – shelter and armor – are symbiotic; each depends on the other and also enhances the other.

So, we need to seek shelter to wear the armor. That is, only when we practice remembering Krishna exclusively on a regular basis will we have the strong spiritual reflexes to connect with Krishna substantially amidst the world’s passions. Otherwise, amidst danger we won’t call Krishna or we will call superficially and nominally. Either way, we won’t be able to access the protective effect of remembering Krishna.

Conversely, we need to use the armor to feel the shelter. That is, only when we earnestly and intensely remember Krishna will we feel his reciprocation as inner peace, warmth and strength. If when faced with problems we tackle things only at the material level, then we will be like warriors who don’t use the armor and so get wounded – needlessly.

The more we practice remembering Krishna, the shelter and armor will overlap till we relish his rejuvenating, protecting presence everywhere. That constant Krishna consciousness is life’s supreme security and success. It is as good as Krishna’s eternal abode and it will eventually take us there.

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18.57 – In all activities just depend upon Me and work always under My protection. In such devotional service, be fully conscious of Me.