A Young Soldier in Desperation
Once upon a time, a young soldier found himself in a dire and hopeless battle. His army was being soundly defeated, and he, along with his comrades, was forced to retreat hastily, running away in fear for their lives. The enemy, relentless and merciless, gave chase. The young soldier, filled with fear and desperation, ran as fast as he could, but soon found himself separated from his comrades.
Seeking Refuge in a Cave
Exhausted and alone, he came upon a rocky ledge with a cave. With the enemy close behind, he crawled into the dark cave, hoping to find refuge. He fell to his knees and cried out to God for protection, desperately pleading for deliverance from his pursuers. In his desperation, he made a promise to God: if he were saved, he would serve Him for the rest of his life.
The Spider’s Web
As he lay in the darkness, he noticed a spider beginning to weave its web across the entrance of the cave. Watching the delicate threads being spun, the young soldier thought, “I asked God for protection, and He sent me a spider. How can a spider save me?” His hope dwindled as he heard the enemy soldiers approaching.
Divine Intervention
One soldier, armed and cautious, approached the cave. As he neared the entrance, he saw the spider’s web, now fully covering the opening. He paused, then called out to his comrade, “There can’t be anyone in here. They would have had to break this spider’s web to enter the cave. Let’s move on.” The soldiers continued their search elsewhere, and the young soldier was saved.
A Life Transformed
Years later, the young soldier kept his promise and became a preacher and evangelist. He often recounted the story of how a simple spider’s web had saved his life, and he shared a profound lesson he had learned from the experience: “Where God is, a spider’s web is as strong as a stone wall. Where God is not, a stone wall is as fragile as a spider’s web.”
Moral of the Story
This story reminds us to always take shelter in the Supreme Lord and serve Him sincerely. It teaches us that divine protection can come in the most unexpected forms, and faith in God’s protection can turn the simplest things into powerful shields.
Divine Protection in Scriptures
In the Srimad Bhagavatam, Queen Kunti prays to Lord Krishna, describing how He protected the Pandavas on the Battlefield of Kurukshetra:
“vishaan mahaagneh purushaada-darshanaad asat-sabhaayaa vana-vaasa-krcchratah mrdhe mrdhe ‘neka-mahaarathaastrato drauny-astratas chaasma hare ‘bhirakshitaah”
“My dear Krishna, Your Lordship has protected us from a poisoned cake, from a great fire, from cannibals, from the vicious assembly, from sufferings during our exile in the forest, and from the battle where great generals fought. And now You have saved us from the weapon of Ashvatthama.”
Teachings from Srila Prabhupada
In his book “Teachings of Queen Kunti,” Srila Prabhupada explains that many powerful warriors on the Battlefield of Kurukshetra, such as Bhishma, Karna, and Dronacharya, were formidable opponents. However, by Krishna’s grace, Arjuna was able to defeat them and emerge victorious. This highlights the significance of divine protection.
The Assurance of Divine Protection
King Parikshit also noted the importance of Krishna’s protection, saying that the battlefield was like an ocean with ferocious aquatic animals, but by Krishna’s grace, Arjuna crossed it easily. This illustrates that no matter how powerful our enemies are, if we remain under Krishna’s protection, no harm can come to us.
Conclusion
The story of the young soldier and the spider’s web, along with the teachings from the Srimad Bhagavatam and Srila Prabhupada, emphasize the power of divine protection and the importance of unwavering faith and service to God. By following the guidance of our spiritual teachers and maintaining our devotion, we can navigate life’s challenges and remain under the protective shelter of the Supreme Lord.
