Q: I’ve heard people repeating the Mother’s words “The Mother’s protection is with me, nothing bad can happen” even while harming others intentionally. Does it really protect the person even when one says this from one’s ego? How does it work?
ALOKDA: To expect that the Divine will protect someone consciously engaging in evil is in itself a contradiction. Sri Aurobindo has clearly said that there are conditions required to open to the Divine Help such as faith, sincerity and surrender. There is of course such a thing as unconditional protection but it is extremely rare and given only under very special conditions for a very special purpose. Otherwise, no sadhana would be needed. One has to simply say and things will be done magically regardless of the person’s inner state. Well sometimes it can happen but this cannot be made a rule of life or a law of spiritual living.
However we may add that the words of Sri Aurobindo has the power in it to fulfill its promise, the promise of the Divine to man that if he sincerely calls for His help and seeks His Protection, even in His thoughts with faith and trust then regardless of his past, however dark it may be and his present, however evil it may be, the Grace does come and intervene and changes the fixed course of destiny. Not only does it protect him from the hostility around but also from himself and opens the doors for redemption by the Grace. It is similar to the great word of the Gita, the eternal promise of the Godhead in man, his eternal friend and lover, – sarvadharmaparityajya mamekamsharanam vraja. Aham tva sarvapapebhyo mokshisiyami ma suchhah, abandon all dharmas and take refuge in Me Alone, I will deliver thee from all fear and evil, do not grieve.