An American, An Indian, And A Russian Meet The Devil

An American, an Indian, and a Russian end up in Hell and plead to the Devil that they don't belong here.
The Devil, bored, makes them an offer: "I will strike you 3 times with my whip, and if you survive, I'll let you go.
You can use anything you want as a shield".
The American goes first.
He builds a high-tech shield from depleted uranium and composites, and hides behind it.
The Devil strikes once - the shield cracks; twice - the shield falls apart; thrice - the American is no more.
Next goes the Indian.
He puts himself in some advanced Yoga position and goes into deep hibernation.
The Devil strikes once - nothing; twice - the Indian shivers a bit; thrice - the Indian grunts, but lives.
The Devil is amazed and tells him he's free to go.
The Indian asks, "May I stay and watch? In all jokes the Russians somehow come out on top.
I want to see how he will do it this time".
The Devil nods and turns to the Russian: "So, what will you use as a shield?"

The Russian replies, "The Indian, of course".