Safety in a Dangerous World
Since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the world is now faced with unprecedented danger and uncertainty. Recent headlines reveal that the threat of terrorism in the U.S. and abroad has reached critical proportions. Once again we are forced to contemplate our fragility and mortality in this material world. Anything can happen now — and we know it.
For those of us old enough to remember, these recent events may conjure up memories of the Great Northeast Blackout in 1965. As a resident of Canada, I remember it well. Although quite young at the time, I distinctly recall the sense of fear and vulnerability that arose in my heart. I realized for the first time that our civilization wasn’t as strong and secure as we had been led to believe.
“At 5:27 p.m., November 9, 1965, the entire Northeast area of the United States and large parts of Canada went dark. From Buffalo to the eastern border of New Hampshire and from New York City to Ontario, a massive power outage struck without warning. Trains were stuck between subway stops. People were trapped in elevators. Failed traffic signals stopped traffic dead. And, at the height of the Cold War, many thought Armageddon had arrived. By 5:40 p.m. that evening, 80,000 square miles of the Northeast United States and Ontario, Canada, were without power, leaving 30 million people in the dark. New York City was particularly hit by this blackout, due to its reliance on electricity for nearly all aspects of city life.” (The Blackout History Project)
At the time, Srila Prabhupada was staying in New York at Dr. Mishra’s yoga studio on Riverside Drive. He had recently arrived from Butler, Pennsylvania where he had been a guest of Mr. and Mrs. Agarwal for a month after arriving in the U.S. from India. Describing the blackout in a letter to Sally Agarwal, Srila Prabhupada wrote the following words:
“Yes there was all darkness in New York on the 10th instant and it was not a happy incident. I learn that many people remained in the elevators and in the subway trains for more than seven to eight hours in darkness. I do not read newspapers but there must have been some mishaps also which we do not know. That is the way of material civilisation too much depending on machine. At any time the whole thing may collapse and therefore we may not be self complacent depending so much on artificial life. The modern life of civilisation depends wholly on electricity and petrol and both of them are artificial for man.” (Srila Prabhupada letter, November 13, 1965)
More than thirty-five years later, the world is even more dependent on electricity and petrol. The Internet (on which this website is being published) has become the preferred method of communication. We now have satellites orbiting the earth which allow us to communicate across the globe in seconds. Our methods of warfare are now laser-guided and accurate to the Nth degree. Yet are we any safer as a result?
Intelligence reports suggest that the Internet is now being used by terrorists and others of ill intent who communicate freely with each other. In fact, the World Wide Web itself may be attacked and brought down at a moment’s notice. The very fabric and infrastructure of our society could unravel without warning. The situation is perilous. Therefore Srila Prabhupada continually warned us that there is danger at every step in this material world (padam padam yad vipadam), and he urged us to take to Krsna consciousness immediately for the solution to all problems:
“One who has taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord, which are accepted as the most suitable boat for crossing the ocean of nescience, can achieve liberation as easily as one leaps over the holes made by the hoofs of a calf. Such persons are meant to reside in the abode of the Lord, and they have nothing to do with a place where there is danger at every step.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 1.8.25, Purport)
Not only has Srila Prabhupada helped us to identify the source of all our miseries in this temporary world (duhkhalayam asasvatam), but he has meticulously provided the means of relief in his voluminous books and instructions. Despite that we are now in the midst of troubled times in a perpetually troubled world, we are most fortunate to have Srila Prabhupada as our eternal spiritual preceptor. Although he has physically departed from this world, Srila Prabhupada so mercifully continues to guide us. The only qualification is that we hear from him sincerely, and with faith.
“In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything which you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop.” (Srila Prabhupada letter, November 22, 1974)
In whatever condition of life we may now find ourselves, it is to our eternal benefit to arrange our lives in such a way that we can follow Srila Prabhupada’s instructions to the best of our ability. Although we can never fully repay him for the tremendous gift that he has given us all, at the very least we can be loyal to Srila Prabhupada and stick tightly to his lotus feet.
After all, there is no safer place to be.
(Editorial Notes #11, The Prabhupada Connection website: http://www.prabhupadaconnect.com/)
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Hare Krsna Madhudvisa dasa,what to do with world war 3 ,almost there are approximately 15000 nukes on all parts of the world?It is getting fearful of the present situation all around the world.Whats the situation after ww3 if it starts ?
There is always war going on in the material world in one way or another. We have to expect it.
So the point is to become Krishna conscious. It makes no difference, war or no war, the process is the same, chant Hare Krishna and be happy…
1.As terrorism increases( right now) people will be more inclined to read SP books ,right? So the number of books distributed will increase but only if the no. of book distributers increase, right?
2. As terrorists bocome crazier, they may target the sincere followers of SP. At that time although there is no
army on our side, Krishna will protect all sincere devotees, especially book distributers, right?
Hare Krishna AGTSP
Yes. Of course Krishna will always protect the devotees. But devotees do not mind, if Krishna wants to kill us that is find, and if Krishna wants to save us that is fine also. Devotees know they are not these material bodies and know they can not be killed. So if this material body is killed we will simply change bodies and continue to serve Krishna in a new body. So there is no loss even if the body is killed.
The spreading of Krishna consciousness has nothing to do with crazy terrorists. It makes no difference. Krishna consciousness can only be spread by a pure devotee of Krishna. So it is up to the followers of Srila Prabhupada to become pure devotees of Krishna and preach. Then Krishna consciousness will spread. That is all. It does not make any difference if there are crazy terrorists or not. Get the crazy terrorists to chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Fear nothing from this bogus creation called “terrorism”. I know people who worry and worry. I mean think about it In 2011, more than 30,000 people died in car accidents in EU. People that died from unintentional poisoning deaths: 38,851. People who died from unintentional falls: 30,208. And so on.
Now to put this in perspective: From 15th of September 1958 to 13th of November 2015 just 741 people have died in terrorist attacks on European soil. YES ONLY 741, that amounts to an average of just 13 deaths per year for a total population of 508 million. The last few years it has been a little higher but still a very low average proability.
The average risk of dying in a terrorist attack in a year on EU soil is 1 to 3,9 Million or 0,00000026%. So calm down take it easy. You have a better chance of being hit by a lightning. Approximately 400 are hit per year and only a fraction dies from that
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
I’ve seen that reasoning many times before and it’s truly a most ridiculous comparison (usually made by progressives/liberals) to downplay the severity of islamic – yes islamic, that word that this article fails to mention even though everyone knows where that these terrorist attacks are nearly always motivated by islamic doctrine – terrorist attacks by putting it into perspective. Also, you’re comparing accidents to premeditated murder, they can’t be compared.
Your story also reeks of denial and escapism, don’t think that just by putting these islamic terrorist attacks into perspective and making it seem insignificant that way that all is well and there’s nothing to worry about. It’s only going to get worse as islam (enemy of Sanatan Dharma / Hinduism) gets more foothold in human societies everywhere and will cause more bloodshed as they have always done.
In fact, muslims have been terrorising humanity since the start of their evil totalitarian ideology (islam) somewhere in the 7th century and they’ve murdered approximately 80 million hindu’s in 1400 years time.
Preaching Hare Krishna is always good, but not to the exclusion of more direct forms of action, this article taught me that: https://krishna.org/mantra-wars/
Yes. You are correct of course. But chanting Hare Krishna is the most powerful weapon. The problem is we are not chanting Hare Krishna so the Muslims are getting the chance to spread their terrorism. The chanting of Hare Krishna, if it is done by pure devotees of Krishna and popularized all over the world, will defeat the Islamic terrorists.
Prabhu Padmapani Das,It is with great happiness today I was most fortunate to find & read this article regarding the global situations of which you speak & the fears that the ordinary persons in the world are experiencing as well the sober advice you reiterate directly our Srila Prabhupada’s words from His writtings.In truth it is most fortunate we have Srila Prabhupada in our hearts during crores of lifetimes.Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya in His wisdom made this possible, availible to all souls to surrender at Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet to beg for protection in service,and enable His Grace to guide us every &each small step this journey back to Godhead. I Hope to hear from you after…if you like send private email cell # I will call you It would be very nice to hear your voice again my friend,mentor & Godbrother…Ys…gd…
Hare Krsna Rakesh,
Your statement reminds me of a purport on the 7th canto SB, where it appears that Hiranyakasipu is winning the battle over the Lord, Srila Prabhupada explains that the Lord does this just to see the fun later on, so the fun will come.
Thank you
MANY PEOPLE IN WORLD DOING WRONG THING AND GETTING MONEY WITH WRONG DIRECTION AND HONEST PERSON STAY BACK WHAT IS YOU COMMENT ON ITS