Devotion to The Lord Removes All Distress

The Lord Comes Immediately to The Rescue of His Devotee

The leader of the elephants was much distresed when he was attacked by the crocodile. Although the elephant is always stronger than the crocodile, the latter is stronger than the elephant when it is in the water. And because the elephant was a great devotee of the Lord in his previous birth, he was able to chant the holy name of the Lord by dint of his past good deeds.

Every living entity is always distressed in this material world because this place is such that at every step one has to meet with some kind of distress. But one who is supported by his past good deeds engages himself in the devotional service of the Lord, as confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita (7.16).

Those who are supported by impious acts cannot be engaged in the devotional service of the Lord, even though they are distressed. This is also confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita (7.15). The Personality of Godhead Hari appeared at once on the back of His eternal bearer, Garuda, and delivered the elephant.

- Srila Prabhupada in Purport to Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.7.15