Choosing Divine Shelter: Trap of Self-Dependence

Lord Krishna repeatedly emphasises in the Bhagavad Gita that we must take His shelter, yet most of us prefer to take our own shelter. What I mean is simple: we mostly depend on ourselves and limit our lives to what our own minds can think of. We trust our own ideas of work, enjoyment, and success. In short, we trust our own judgement above everything else. But the mind is ruled mainly by lust, greed, and anger—the very emotions Lord Krishna says lead to hell (16.12).

Our intelligence is also flawed and limited. We make our own rules based on our inflated ego, which never allows us to see our own faults. Faith in God remains occasional, almost like a weak reminder. Our consciousness stays material, and life becomes a struggle to survive and enjoy in our own way.

The more materially successful one becomes, the more one depends on oneself, like a frog who thinks the well is the whole world.The consequences are always harsh. Life becomes a continuous struggle—whether in studies, work, fighting age, or dying helplessly. Failures come again and again, exactly as Lord Krishna warns: “One who follows his desires after ignoring the scriptures achieves neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supreme destination.” (16.23) Being driven by lust, anger, or greed only pushes a person toward ruin.

Krishna clearly says these three are the doors to hell and must be given up. (16.21) And those who are envious, cruel, or harmful take birth again and again in lower species. (16.19)Such a person believes he is in control, but it is actually material nature working. Krishna explains, “All acts are performed by the modes of nature; the deluded soul thinks, ‘I am the doer.’” (3.27) Only in rare cases of true devotees does God Himself take the role of doer, just as He did for Arjuna (11.33). Otherwise, we only receive what our past karmaphalas allow. We enjoy some things and suffer others, but the illusion of control eventually breaks. Still, very few learn.

Life continues swinging like a pendulum. By middle age we realise we missed the bus, and when old age comes, sorrow becomes overwhelming.

What should have been done instead? We should have realised we are parts of God. (15.7) With billions of humans on earth, we are extremely small and quite helpless without divine guidance. We don’t know what is right for us. We need God’s shelter to understand what to do. Some people ask God through slips before a murti, but God communicates much more deeply. He gives intuitions, sends messages through people, speaks in dreams, or wakes us early with clarity.

I personally receive God’s guidance all the time. Lord Krishna promises: “With My consciousness, you will cross all obstacles by My grace.” (18.58)Those who take God’s shelter are guided and protected. God even cancels the effects of past mistakes and finally liberates the soul from the painful cycle of birth and death. Others start again in a new body according to karmaphala, carrying their mind, senses, and nature. But wise people choose differently. They want to know where they are going. I am one of them—moving, under God’s protection, toward Vaikuntha, our real eternal home.

The writer is a spiritual teacher; views are personal