Answer
Nobody is truly innocent. Everyone is born carrying the baggage of past karma. From a historical or spiritual perspective, no one is innocent.
A child appears innocent and helpless, but even that child is experiencing the results of past actions. For example, in families suffering from poverty, children also undergo that suffering. They seem innocent—but why are they placed in such circumstances? It is due to karma.
After all, every adult was once a child. If innocence alone were the determining factor, then why does suffering exist at all? The point is that what we see externally as innocence is part of a larger karmic journey.
In a drama, a child may appear innocent, but in reality, as the person grows, their desires (kāma) and tendencies manifest. Even in cases where a child leaves the body early—through illness or accident—that too is part of karmic destiny: to take birth in a particular family for a specific duration and then move on.
These questions arise because we do not have a time-inclusive perspective. The soul (jīva) never dies. It simply moves from one body to another, continuously experiencing the results of its actions. Every action has a reaction, and this cycle continues life after life.
That is why a devotee seeks to end this chain of action and reaction. The aim is to engage fully in devotional service—whatever I do should be for the pleasure of Guru and Krishna. A sincere devotee does not desire another birth.
When one studies Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, one’s perspective changes. One begins to see childhood, youth, old age—all as different stages within the framework of karma. Behind all this are the forces of kāla (time) and karma, ultimately under Krishna’s supervision.
At the same time, Krishna is very sensitive to His devotee. A devotee does not primarily pray, “Protect me from this accident” or “Save me from this difficulty.” Why? Because the devotee understands that even a difficult situation may ultimately be beneficial, according to Krishna’s plan.
Instead, the devotee prays for one thing:
“Please protect me from māyā.”
Whether in this body or another, in this situation or that—let me not forget You. That is the real prayer. Forgetfulness of Krishna is the real danger.
A sincere devotee may also pray:
“Please protect me from the impurities within my heart—lust, anger, greed, illusion, pride, and envy. Remove these anarthas and purify me.”
Krishna responds according to our sincerity. If the desire is wholehearted, the response is immediate. But if our desire is mixed, the result will also be mixed.
Krishna says, “As you surrender unto Me, I reciprocate accordingly.”
If you surrender 50%, He reciprocates 50%. If you still hold on to material attachments—“my bank balance, my security, my control”—He allows that also.
But eventually, when those supports fail, the devotee turns fully to Him. And at that point, one seeks complete shelter and protection.
