Everyone is thinking like that. My nation, my community, my philosophy, my politics will save me. No. Nothing can save you.

Who can save you?

John McNamara on site, Ground Zero, 2001

Protected by Krishna or carried away by Maya

This is our position. If we are thinking that "In this material existence I shall be safe, assisted by my society, friendship, love, country, and politics and sociology," "No, no, sir, it is not possible." It is not possible. You have to take care of yourself. Your so-called society, friendship, love, country, nation, and this, never will be able to help you. Because you are under the clutches of maya. Daivi hy esha gunamayi mama maya duratyaya [Bhagavad-gita 7.14].

prakriteh kriyamanani
gunaih karmani sarvashah
ahankara-vimudhatma
kartaham iti manyate
[Bg. 3.27]

You are under the clutches of maya. you have no independence. Neither anyone has got any independence to save you. That is not possible. The same example as I gave sometimes, that you learn how to drive aeroplane. So you go high in the sky. But if you are in danger, no other aeroplane can help you. You are finished. Therefore you must be a very careful pilot to take care of yourself. Similarly, in this material world everyone individually has to take care of himself.

How he can be saved from the clutches of maya? That is Krishna consciousness movement. A teacher can give you hints. The acharya can give you hints that "You can be saved in this way." But the execution of the duties, that is in your hand. If you perform the spiritual duties rightly, then you are saved. Otherwise, even acharya gives you instruction, if you don't follow, so how he can save you? He can save you by instruction, by his mercy, as much as possible. But you have to take it in your hands seriously.

So this problem is... Arjuna is facing now this problem. That is general problem. ...Dehapatya-kalatradishv atma-sainyeshv asatsv api [Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.1.4]. We are thinking that We shall be protected by my these soldiers. I have got my sons, grandsons, my grandfather, my father-in-law, my brother-in-law, my so many... society, friendship and love. Everyone is thinking like that. My nation, my community, my philosophy, my politics. No. Nothing can save you. ... They are all temporary. They come and go. ...Pramatto tasya nidhanam pashyann api na pashyati. One who is too much attached to this society, friendship and love, he is pramatta. Pramatta means crazy, madman. ...He does not see. Although he is seeing that My father has died. When I was a child, my father was giving me protection. Now my father has gone away. Who is giving me protection? Is my father alive to give me protection? Who is giving me protection? My mother was giving me protection. Now who is giving me protection? I was in family, my sons, my daughters, my wife, but I left them. Now who is giving me protection?

And actually Krishna gives you protection always. Not your society, friendship and love. They will be finished. As your father is finished, as your grandfather is finished, similarly, your sons, grandsons, will be finished. None of them will be able to give you protection. Only Krishna will be giving you protection. Therefore you surrender to Krishna. Sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam sharanam vraja, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksha... [Bg. 18.66]. "I shall give you protection." Kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranashyati: [Bg. 9.31] "My devotee is never vanquished." So the best thing is to take to Krishna consciousness, fully surrender unto Him, and you will be protected. Otherwise, there is no other way of being protected. We'll be carried away by the waves of maya. This is the position.