Leadership Goal

SB 1.2.8 ------- The occupational activities a man performs according to his own
position are only so much useless labor if they do not provoke attraction for the message
of the Personality of Godhead.

SB 1.2.9 ------- All occupational engagements are certainly meant for ultimate liberation.
They should never be performed for material gain. Furthermore, according to sages, one
who is engaged in the ultimate occupational service should never use material gain to
cultivate sense gratification.

SB 1.2.10------Life's desires should never be directed toward sense gratification. One

should desire only a healthy life, or self-preservation, since a human being is meant for
inquiry about the Absolute Truth. Nothing else should be the goal of one's works.

SB 1.2.13-T

O best among the twice-born, it is therefore concluded that the highest perfection one
can achieve by discharging the duties prescribed for one's own occupation according to
caste divisions and orders of life is to please the Personality of Godhead.

Seeking for the Absolute Truth

In the political field the leaders of men fight with one another to fulfill their personal
sense gratification. The voters adore the so-called leaders only when they promise sense
gratification. As soon as the voters are dissatisfied in their own sense satisfaction, they
dethrone the leaders; the leaders must always disappoint the voters by not satisfying
their senses. The same is applicable in all other fields; no one is serious about the
problems of life. Even those who are on the path of salvation desire to become one with
the Absolute Truth and desire to commit spiritual suicide for sense gratification. For
example, marriage or the combination of a man with a woman is necessary for progeny,
but it is not meant for sense enjoyment. In the absence of voluntary restraint, there is
propaganda for family planning, but foolish men do not know that family planning is
automatically executed as soon as there is search after the Absolute Truth. Seekers of the
Absolute Truth are never allured by unnecessary engagements in sense gratification
because the serious students seeking the Absolute Truth are always overwhelmed with
the work of researching the Truth. In every sphere of life, therefore, the ultimate end
must be seeking after the Absolute Truth, and that sort of engagement will make one
happy because he will be less engaged in varieties of sense gratification….. SB 1.2.10-P
väma-svabhävä-Example
SB 1.7.42---P--The specific words used in this çloka are väma-svabhävä, "mild and
gentle by nature." A good man or woman accepts anything very easily, but a man of
average intelligence does not do so. But, anyway, we should not give up our reason and
discriminatory power just to be gentle. One must have good discriminatory power to
judge a thing on its merit. We should not follow the mild nature of a woman and thereby
accept that which is not genuine. Açvatthämä may be respected by a good-natured
woman, but that does not mean that he is as good as a genuine brähmaëa.

Don’t
SB 1.7.48-T

If the kingly administrative order, being unrestricted in sense control, offends the
brähmaëa order and enrages them, then the fire of that rage burns up the whole body of
the royal family and brings grief upon all.

Do’s
SB 1.8.5

In the glorious days, or before the advent of the age of Kali, the brähmaëas, the cows,
the women, the children and the old men were properly given protection.

1. The protection of the brähmaëas maintains the institution of varëa and äçrama, the
most scientific culture for attainment of spiritual life.

2. The protection of cows maintains the most miraculous form of food, i.e., milk for
maintaining the finer tissues of the brain for understanding higher aims of life.

3. The protection of women maintains the chastity of society, by which we can get a
good generation for peace, tranquillity and progress of life.

4. The protection of children gives the human form of life its best chance to prepare the
way of liberty from material bondage. Such protection of children begins from the very
day of begetting a child by the purificatory process of garbhädhäna-saàskära, the
beginning of pure life.

5. The protection of the old men gives them a chance to prepare themselves for better
life after death.
This complete outlook is based on factors leading to successful humanity as against the
civilization of polished cats and dogs. The killing of the above-mentioned innocent
creatures is totally forbidden because even by insulting them one loses one's duration of
life. In the age of Kali they are not properly protected, and therefore the duration of life
of the present generation has shortened considerably. In the Bhagavad-gétä it is stated
that when the women become unchaste for want of proper protection, there are
unwanted children called varëa-saìkara.

Fight for the right cause

A kñatriya is bound to fight for the right cause, regardless of the opposite party. In such
discharge of duty, one should not be disturbed by annihilation of the material body,
which is only an external dress of the living soul. All this was perfectly known to
Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira, but by the will of the Lord he became just like a common man
because there was another great idea behind this delusion: the King would be instructed
by Bhéñma as Arjuna was instructed by the Lord Himself……….. SB 1.8.47-P

Be Responsible
Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira, as the most pious king of the world, takes for himself the
responsibility for killing such a huge number of living beings because the battle was
fought to reinstate him on the throne. This body is, after all, meant for others. While
there is life in the body, it is meant for the service of others, and when it is dead it is
meant to be eaten by dogs and jackals or maggots…… SB 1.8.48-P

Rajdharma by Bhisma to Yudhishtira Maharaj

SB 1.9.27-P

Räja-dharma is a great science, unlike modern diplomacy for political supremacy. The
kings were trained systematically to become munificent and not merely be tax
collectors. They were trained to perform different sacrifices only for the prosperity of
the subjects. To lead the prajäs to the attainment of salvation was a great duty of the
king. The father, the spiritual master and the king are not to become irresponsible in the
matter of leading their subjects to the path of ultimate liberation from birth, death,
diseases and old age. When these primary duties are properly discharged, there is no
need of government of the people, by the people. In modern days the people in general
occupy the administration by the strength of manipulated votes, but they are never
trained in the primary duties of the king, and that is also not possible for everyone.
Under the circumstances the untrained administrators play havoc to make the subjects
happy in all respects. On the other hand, these untrained administrators gradually
become rogues and thieves and increase the taxation to finance a top-heavy
administration that is useless for all purposes. Actually the qualified brähmaëas are
meant to give direction to the kings for proper administration in terms of the scriptures
like the Manu-saàhitä and Dharma-çästras of Paräçara. A typical king is the ideal of the
people in general, and if the king is pious, religious, chivalrous and munificent, the
citizens generally follow him. Such a king is not a lazy sensuous person living at the
cost of the subjects, but alert always to kill thieves and dacoits. The pious kings were not
merciful to dacoits and thieves in the name of nonsensical ahiàsä (nonviolence). The
thieves and dacoits were punished in an exemplary way so that in the future no one
would dare commit such nuisances in an organized form. Such thieves and dacoits were
never meant for administration as they are now.

The taxation law was simple. There was no force, no encroachment. The king had a right
to take one fourth of the production made by the subject. The king had a right to claim a
fourth of one's allotted wealth. One would never grudge parting with it because due to
the pious king and religious harmony there was enough natural wealth, namely grains,
fruits, flowers, silk, cotton, milk, jewels, minerals, etc., and therefore no one was
materially unhappy. The citizens were rich in agriculture and animal husbandry, and
therefore they had enough grains, fruits and milk without any artificial needs of soaps
and toilets, cinemas and bars.

The king had to see that the reserved energy of humanity was properly utilized. Human
energy is meant not exactly for fulfilling animal propensities, but for self-realization.
The whole government was specifically designed to fulfill this particular purpose. As
such, the king had to select properly the cabinet ministers, but not on the strength of
voting background. The ministers, the military commanders and even the ordinary
soldiers were all selected by personal qualification, and the king had to supervise them
properly before they were appointed to their respective posts. The king was especially
vigilant to see that the tapasvés, or persons who sacrificed everything for disseminating
spiritual knowledge, were never disregarded. The king knew well that the Supreme
Personality of Godhead never tolerates any insult to His unalloyed devotees. Such
tapasvés were trusted leaders even of the rogues and thieves, who would never
disobey the orders of tapasvés. The king would give special protection to illiterates, the
helpless and widows of the state. Defense measures were arranged previous to any
attack by the enemies. The taxing process was easy, and it was not meant for
squandering, but was for strengthening the reserve fund. The soldiers were recruited
from all parts of the world, and they were trained for special duties.

As far as salvation is concerned, one has to conquer the principles of lust, anger,
unlawful desires, avarice and bewilderment. To get freedom from anger, one should
learn how to forgive. To be free from unlawful desires one should not make plans. By
spiritual culture one is able to conquer sleep. By tolerance only can one conquer desires
and avarice. Disturbances from various diseases can be avoided by regulated diets. By
self-control one can be free from false hopes, and money can be saved by avoiding
undesirable association. By practice of yoga one can control hunger, and worldliness can
be avoided by culturing the knowledge of impermanence. Dizziness can be conquered
by rising up, and false arguments can be conquered by factual ascertainment.
Talkativeness can be avoided by gravity and silence, and by prowess one can avoid
fearfulness. Perfect knowledge can be obtained by self-cultivation. One must be free
from lust, avarice, anger, dreaming, etc., to actually attain the path of salvation.

Duties of Ideal Leader

After gaining victory in the Battle of Kurukñetra, Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira, the Emperor of
the world, performed the Räjasüya sacrificial ceremony. The emperor, in those days,
upon his ascendance to the throne, would send a challenge horse all over the world to
declare his supremacy, and any ruling prince or king was at liberty to accept the
challenge and express his tacit willingness either to obey or to disobey the supremacy of
the particular emperor. One who accepted the challenge had to fight with the emperor
and establish his own supremacy by victory. The defeated king would have to sacrifice
his life, making a place for another king or ruler. So Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira also
dispatched such challenging horses all over the world, and every ruling prince and king
all over the world accepted Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira's leadership as the Emperor of the
world. After this, all rulers of the world under the regime of Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira were
invited to participate in the great sacrificial ceremony of Räjasüya.(P) SB1.9.41

After this, the great religious King, Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira, executed the royal power in
the kingdom strictly according to the codes and royal principles approved by his uncle
and confirmed by Lord Çré Kåñëa.(T)

Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira was not a mere tax collector. He was always conscious of his
duty as a king, which is no less than that of a father or spiritual master. The king is to see
to the welfare of the citizens from all angles of social, political, economic and spiritual
upliftment. The king must know that human life is meant for liberating the encaged soul
from the bondage of material conditions, and therefore his duty is to see that the citizens
are properly looked after to attain this highest stage of perfection.

Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira followed these principles strictly, as will be seen from the next
chapter. Not only did he follow the principles, but he also got approval from his old
uncle, who was experienced in political affairs, and that was also confirmed by Lord
Kåñëa, the speaker of the philosophy of Bhagavad-gétä.

Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira is the ideal monarch, and monarchy under a trained king like
Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira is by far the most superior form of government, superior to
modern republics or governments of the people, by the people. The mass of people,
especially in this age of Kali, are all born çüdras, basically lowborn, ill-trained,
unfortunate and badly associated. They themselves do not know the highest perfectional
aim of life. Therefore, votes cast by them actually have no value, and thus persons
elected by such irresponsible votes cannot be responsible representatives like Mahäräja
Yudhiñöhira. (P)SB 1.9.49

Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira was the greatest of all men of religion. Thus he was not at all
inclined to fight with his cousins for the sake of enjoying the kingdom: he fought for the
right cause because the kingdom of Hastinäpura was his rightful inheritance and his
cousins wanted to usurp it for themselves. He fought, therefore, for the right cause under
the guidance of Lord Çré Kåñëa, but he could not enjoy the results of his victory
because his cousins were all killed in the fight. He therefore ruled over the kingdom as a
matter of duty, assisted by his younger brothers. The inquiry was important for Çaunaka
Åñi, who wanted to know about the behavior of Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira when he was at
ease to enjoy the kingdom. SB 1.10.1

The conception of one world state can only be fulfilled if we can follow the infallible
authority
SB 1.10.3

TRANSLATION

Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira, after being enlightened by what was spoken by Bhéñmadeva and
Lord Çré Kåñëa, the infallible, engaged himself in matters of perfect knowledge because
all his misgivings were eradicated. Thus he ruled over the earth and seas and was
followed by his younger brothers.

PURPORT

The modern English law of primogeniture, or the law of inheritance by the firstborn, was
also prevalent in those days when Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira ruled the earth and seas. In
those days the King of Hastinäpura (now part of New Delhi) was the emperor of the
world, including the seas, up to the time of Mahäräja Parékñit, the grandson of Mahäräja
Yudhiñöhira. Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira's younger brothers were acting as his ministers and
commanders of state, and there was full cooperation between the perfectly religious
brothers of the King. Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira was the ideal king or representative of Lord
Çré Kåñëa to rule over the kingdom of earth and was comparable to King Indra, the
representative ruler of the heavenly planets. The demigods like Indra, Candra, Sürya,
Varuëa and Väyu are representative kings of different planets of the universe, and
similarly Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira was also one of them, ruling over the kingdom of the
earth. Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira was not a typically unenlightened political leader of
modern democracy. Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira was instructed by Bhéñmadeva and the
infallible Lord also, and therefore he had full knowledge of everything in perfection.

The modern elected executive head of a state is just like a puppet because he has no
kingly power. Even if he is enlightened like Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira, he cannot do
anything out of his own good will due to his constitutional position. Therefore, there are
so many states over the earth quarreling because of ideological differences or other
selfish motives. But a king like Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira had no ideology of his own. He
had but to follow the instructions of the infallible Lord and the Lord's representative and
the authorized agent, Bhéñmadeva. It is instructed in the çästras that one should
follow the great authority and the infallible Lord without any personal motive and
manufactured ideology. Therefore, it was possible for Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira to rule
the whole world, including the seas, because the principles were infallible and
universally applicable to everyone. The conception of one world state can only be
fulfilled if we can follow the infallible authority. An imperfect human being cannot
create an ideology acceptable to everyone. Only the perfect and the infallible can create
a program which is applicable at every place and can be followed by all in the world. It
is the person who rules, and not the impersonal government. If the person is perfect, the
government is perfect. If the person is a fool, the government is a fool's paradise. That is
the law of nature. There are so many stories of imperfect kings or executive heads.
Therefore, the executive head must be a trained person like Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira, and
he must have the full autocratic power to rule over the world. The conception of a world
state can take shape only under the regime of a perfect king like Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira.
The world was happy in those days because there were kings like Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira
to rule over the world.

The basic principle of economic development is centered on land and cows.

Autocracy V/s Democracy

SB 1.10.4

TRANSLATION

During the reign of Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira, the clouds showered all the water that people
needed, and the earth produced all the necessities of man in profusion. Due to its fatty
milk bag and cheerful attitude, the cow used to moisten the grazing ground with milk.

PURPORT

The basic principle of economic development is centered on land and cows. The
necessities of human society are food grains, fruits, milk, minerals, clothing, wood, etc.
One requires all these items to fulfill the material needs of the body. Certainly one does
not require flesh and fish or iron tools and machinery. During the regime of Mahäräja
Yudhiñöhira, all over the world there were regulated rainfalls. Rainfalls are not in the
control of the human being. The heavenly King Indradeva is the controller of rains, and
he is the servant of the Lord. When the Lord is obeyed by the king and the people under
the king's administration, there are regulated rains from the horizon, and these rains are
the causes of all varieties of production on the land. Not only do regulated rains help
ample production of grains and fruits, but when they combine with astronomical
influences there is ample production of valuable stones and pearls. Grains and
vegetables can sumptuously feed a man and animals, and a fatty cow delivers enough
milk to supply a man sumptuously with vigor and vitality. If there is enough milk,
enough grains, enough fruit, enough cotton, enough silk and enough jewels, then why do
the people need cinemas, houses of prostitution, slaughterhouses, etc.? What is the need
of an artificial luxurious life of cinema, cars, radio, flesh and hotels? Has this
civilization produced anything but quarreling individually and nationally? Has this
civilization enhanced the cause of equality and fraternity by sending thousands of men
into a hellish factory and the war fields at the whims of a particular man?
It is said here that the cows used to moisten the pasturing land with milk because their
milk bags were fatty and the animals were joyful. Do they not require, therefore, proper
protection for a joyful life by being fed with a sufficient quantity of grass in the field?
Why should men kill cows for their selfish purposes? Why should man not be satisfied
with grains, fruits and milk, which, combined together, can produce hundreds and
thousands of palatable dishes. Why are there slaughterhouses all over the world to kill
innocent animals? Mahäräja Parékñit, grandson of Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira, while touring
his vast kingdom, saw a black man attempting to kill a cow. The King at once arrested
the butcher and chastised him sufficiently. Should not a king or executive head protect
the lives of the poor animals who are unable to defend themselves? Is this humanity?
Are not the animals of a country citizens also? Then why are they allowed to be
butchered in organized slaughterhouses? Are these the signs of equality, fraternity and
nonviolence?

Therefore, in contrast with the modern, advanced, civilized form of government, an

autocracy like Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira's is by far superior to a so-called democracy in
which animals are killed and a man less than an animal is allowed to cast votes for
another less-than-animal man.

We are all creatures of material nature. In the Bhagavad-gétä it is said that the Lord
Himself is the seed-giving father and material nature is the mother of all living beings in
all shapes. Thus mother material nature has enough foodstuffs both for animals and for
men, by the grace of the Father Almighty, Çré Kåñëa. The human being is the elder
brother of all other living beings. He is endowed with intelligence more powerful than
animals for realizing the course of nature and the indications of the Almighty Father.
Human civilizations should depend on the production of material nature without
artificially attempting economic development to turn the world into a chaos of artificial
greed and power only for the purpose of artificial luxuries and sense gratification. This
is but the life of dogs and hogs.

The ultimate cause of success is the pleasure of daiva, the Supreme.

SB 1.10.5

TRANSLATION

The rivers, oceans, hills, mountains, forests, creepers and active drugs, in every season,
paid their tax quota to the King in profusion.
PURPORT

Since Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira was under the protection of the ajita, the infallible Lord, as
above mentioned, the properties of the Lord, namely the rivers, oceans, hills, forests,
etc., were all pleased, and they used to supply their respective quota of taxes to the King.
The secret to success is to take refuge under the protection of the Supreme Lord.
Without His sanction, nothing can be possible. To make economic development by our
own endeavors on the strength of tools and machinery is not all. The sanction of the
Supreme Lord must be there, otherwise despite all instrumental arrangements everything
will be unsuccessful. The ultimate cause of success is the daiva, the Supreme. Kings like
Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira knew perfectly well that the king is the agent of the Supreme
Lord to look after the welfare of the mass of people. Actually the state belongs to the
Supreme Lord. The rivers, oceans, forests, hills, drugs, etc., are not creations of man.
They are all creations of the Supreme Lord, and the living being is allowed to make use
of the property of the Lord for the service of the Lord. Today's slogan is that everything
is for the people, and therefore the government is for the people and by the people. But
to produce a new species of humanity at the present moment on the basis of God
consciousness and perfection of human life, the ideology of godly communism, the
world has to again follow in the footsteps of kings like Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira or
Parékñit. There is enough of everything by the will of the Lord, and we can make proper
use of things to live comfortably without enmity between men, or animal and man or
nature. The control of the Lord is everywhere, and if the Lord is pleased, every part of
nature will be pleased. The river will flow profusely to fertilize the land; the oceans will
supply sufficient quantities of minerals, pearls and jewels; the forest will supply
sufficient wood, drugs and vegetables, and the seasonal changes will effectively help
produce fruits and flowers in profuse quantity. The artificial way of living depending on
factories and tools can render so-called happiness only to a limited number at the cost of
millions. Since the energy of the mass of people is engaged in factory production, the
natural products are being hampered, and for this the mass is unhappy. Without being
educated properly, the mass of people are following in the footsteps of the vested
interests by exploiting natural reserves, and therefore there is acute competition between
individual and individual and nation and nation. There is no control by the trained agent
of the Lord. We must look into the defects of modern civilization by comparison here,
and should follow in the footsteps of Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira to cleanse man and wipe out
anachronisms.
Key to ultimate success
SB 1.11.12

Perfection of human civilization is made possible by utilizing the gifts of nature in their
own way.

Advancement of civilization is estimated not on the growth of mills and factories to

deteriorate the finer instincts of the human being, but on developing the potent spiritual
instincts of human beings and giving them a chance to go back to Godhead.

Perfect management of state administration

SB 1.12.4

TRANSLATION

Çré Süta Gosvämé said: Emperor Yudhiñöhira administered generously to everyone

during his reign. He was exactly like his father. He had no personal ambition and was
freed from all sorts of sense gratification because of his continuous service unto the lotus
feet of the Lord Çré Kåñëa.

PURPORT

As mentioned in our introduction, "There is a need for the science of Kåñëa in human
society for all the suffering humanity of the world, and we simply request the leading
personalities of all nations to take to the science of Kåñëa for their own good, for the
good of society, and for the good of all the people of the world." So it is confirmed
herein by the example of Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira, the personality of goodness. In India
the people hanker after Räma-räjya because the Personality of Godhead was the ideal
king and all other kings or emperors in India controlled the destiny of the world for the
prosperity of every living being who took birth on the earth. Herein the word prajäù is
significant. The etymological import of the word is "that which is born." On the earth
there are many species of life, from the aquatics up to the perfect human beings, and all
are known as prajäs. Lord Brahmä, the creator of this particular universe, is known as
the prajäpati because he is the grandfather of all who have taken birth. Thus prajä is used
in a broader sense than it is now used. The king represents all living beings, the aquatics,
plants, trees, reptiles, birds, animals and man. Every one of them is a part and parcel of
the Supreme Lord (Bg. 14.4), and the king, being the representative of the Supreme
Lord, is duty-bound to give proper protection to every one of them. This is not the case
with the presidents and dictators of this demoralized system of administration, where the
lower animals are given no protection while the higher animals are given so-called
protection. But this is a great science which can be learned only by one who knows the
science of Kåñëa. By knowing the science of Kåñëa, one can become the most perfect
man in the world, and unless one has knowledge in this science, all qualifications and
doctorate diplomas acquired by academic education are spoiled and useless. Mahäräja
Yudhiñöhira knew this science of Kåñëa very well, for it is stated here that by
continuous cultivation of this science, or by continuous devotional service to Lord
Kåñëa, he acquired the qualification of administering the state. The father is sometimes
seemingly cruel to the son, but that does not mean that the father has lost the
qualification to be a father. A father is always a father because he always has the good of
the son at heart. The father wants every one of his sons to become a better man than
himself. Therefore, a king like Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira, who was the personality of
goodness, wanted everyone under his administration, especially human beings who have
better developed consciousness, to become devotees of Lord Kåñëa so that everyone can
become free from the trifles of material existence. His motto of administration was all
good for the citizens, for as personified goodness he knew perfectly well what is actually
good for them. He conducted the administration on that principle, and not on the räkñasi,
demonic, principle of sense gratification. As an ideal king, he had no personal ambition,
and there was no place for sense gratification because all his senses at all times were
engaged in the loving service of the Supreme Lord, which includes the partial service to
the living beings, who form the parts and parcels of the complete whole. Those who are
busy rendering service to the parts and parcels, leaving aside the whole, only spoil time
and energy, as one does when watering the leaves of a tree without watering the root. If
water is poured on the root, the leaves are enlivened perfectly and automatically, but if
water is poured on the leaves only, the whole energy is spoiled. Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira,
therefore, was constantly engaged in the service of the Lord, and thus the parts and
parcels of the Lord, the living beings under his careful administration, were perfectly
attended with all comforts in this life and all progress in the next. That is the way of
perfect management of state administration.

Guidance by Brahmanas
SB 1.12.13

The great administrators, kings and emperors were always under the guidance of learned
brähmaëas like Kåpäcärya and thus were able to act properly in the discharge of political
responsibilities.
Any decision, however important, should be confirmed by some authority. That makes
the matter perfect. This means that the monarchs who ruled the earth in those days were
not irresponsible dictators. They scrupulously followed the authoritative decisions of the
saints and sages in terms of Vedic injunction. Mahäräja Parékñit, as a perfect king,
followed the principles by consulting the authorities, even up to the last days of his life.
SB1.19.12

Legacy of responsibilty
SB 1.12.18

TRANSLATION

The good King [Yudhiñöhira] inquired: O great souls, will he become as saintly a king,
as pious in his very name and as famous and glorified in his achievements, as others
who appeared in this great royal family?

PURPORT

The forefathers of King Yudhiñöhira were all great saintly kings, pious and glorified by
their great achievements. They were all saints on the royal throne. And therefore all the
members of the state were happy, pious, well behaved, prosperous and spiritually
enlightened. Under strict guidance of the great souls and spiritual injunctions, such great
saintly kings were trained up, and as a result the kingdom was full of saintly persons and
was a happy land of spiritual life. Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira was himself a replica of his
ancestors, and he desired that the next king after him become exactly like his great
forefathers. He was happy to learn from the learned brähmaëas that by astrological
calculations the child would be born a first-grade devotee of the Lord, and more
confidentially he wanted to know whether the child was going to follow in the footsteps
of his great forefathers. That is the way of the monarchical state. The reigning king
should be a pious, chivalrous devotee of the Lord and fear personified for the upstarts.
He must also leave an heir apparent equally qualified to rule over the innocent citizens.
In the modern setup of the democratic states, the people themselves are fallen to the
qualities of the çüdras or less, and the government is run by their representative, who is
ignorant of the scriptural mode of administrative education. Thus the whole atmosphere
is surcharged with çüdra qualities, manifested by lust and avarice. Such administrators
quarrel every day among themselves. The cabinet of ministers changes often due to
party and group selfishness. Everyone wants to exploit the state resources till he dies. No
one retires from political life unless forced to do so. How can such low-grade men do
good to the people? The result is corruption, intrigue and hypocrisy. They should learn
from the Çrémad-Bhägavatam how ideal the administrators must be before they can be
given charge of different posts.

Maintaning mental equanimity

SB 1.12.23

Any responsible executive agent at the top of administration has to tolerate different
types of onslaughts from the very persons for whom he works. Brahmäjé was criticized
even by the gopés, the highest perfectional devotees of the Lord. The gopés were
dissatisfied with the work of Brahmäjé because Lord Brahmä, as creator of this
particular universe, created eyelids which obstructed their seeing Lord Kåñëa. They
could not tolerate a moment's blinking of the eyes, for it kept them from seeing their
beloved Lord Kåñëa. So what to speak of others, who are naturally very critical of every
action of a responsible man? Similarly, Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira had to cross over many
difficult situations created by his enemies, and he proved to be the most perfect
maintainer of mental equanimity in all critical circumstances. Therefore the example of
both grandfathers for maintaining equanimity of mind is quite fitting.

Wisest man
SB1.12.26

The wisest man in the world is a devotee of the Lord. The sages are called wise men,
and there are different types of wise men for different branches of knowledge. Unless,
therefore, the king or the head of the state is the wisest man, he cannot control all types
of wise men in the state. In the line of royal succession in the family of Mahäräja
Yudhiñöhira, all the kings, without exception, were the wisest men of their times, and so
also it is foretold about Mahäräja Parékñit and his son Mahäräja Janamejaya, who was
yet to be born. Such wise kings can become chastisers of upstarts and uprooters of Kali,
or quarrelsome elements.

Right to collect taxes and fines from the citizens

As the brähmaëas and vipras had a right to be subsidized by the state, the state executive
head had the right to collect taxes and fines from the citizens. After the Battle of
Kurukñetra the state treasury was exhausted, and therefore there was no surplus fund
except the fund from tax collection and fines. Such funds were sufficient only for the
state budget, and having no excess fund, the King was anxious to get more wealth in
some other way in order to perform the horse sacrifice. Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira wanted to
perform this sacrifice under the instruction of Bhéñmadeva. SB 1.12.32

Man-made Laws V/s God made Laws

The statutory laws of the state are imperfect imitation replicas of religious codes. The
secular state, or the godless state, allows the citizens to break the laws of God, but
restricts them from disobeying the laws of the state; the result is that the people in
general suffer more by breaking the laws of God than by obeying the imperfect laws
made by man. Every man is imperfect by constitution under conditions of material
existence, and there is not the least possibility that even the most materially advanced
man can enact perfect legislation. On the other hand, there is no such imperfection in the
laws of God. If leaders are educated in the laws of God, there is no necessity of a
makeshift legislative council of aimless men. There is necessity of change in the
makeshift laws of man, but there is no change in the God-made laws because they are
made perfect by the all-perfect Personality of Godhead. SB 1.13.42

The beauty and opulence of the world can be enhanced by the grace of the Lord and not
by any man-made planning. SB 1.16.33

By the law of the Supreme Lord, all living beings, in whatever shape they may be, are
the sons of the Lord, and no one has any right to kill another animal, unless it is so
ordered by the codes of natural law. The tiger can kill a lower animal for his subsistence,
but a man cannot kill an animal for his subsistence. That is the law of God, who has
created the law that a living being subsists by eating another living being.

Therefore, the law is that one should live only by eating specific living beings, as
ordained by the law of God. The Éçopaniñad directs that one should live by the direction
of the Lord and not at one's sweet will. A man can subsist on varieties of grains, fruits
and milk ordained by God, and there is no need of animal food, save and except in
particular cases.

The illusioned king or executive head, even though sometimes advertised as a great
philosopher and learned scholar, will allow slaughterhouses in the state without knowing
that torturing poor animals clears the way to hell for such foolish kings or executive
heads. The executive head must always be alert to the safety of the prajäs, both man and
animal, and inquire whether a particular living being is harassed at any place by another
living being. The harassing living being must at once be caught and put to death, as
shown by Mahäräja Parékñit.

The people's government, or government by the people, should not allow killing of
innocent animals by the sweet will of foolish government men. They must know the
codes of God, as mentioned in the revealed scriptures. Mahäräja Parékñit quotes here
that according to the codes of God the irresponsible king or state executive jeopardizes
his good name, duration of life, power and strength and ultimately his progressive march
towards a better life and salvation after death. Such foolish men do not even believe in
the existence of a next life.

While commenting on this particular verse, we have in our presence the statement of a
great modern politician who has recently died and left his will, which discloses his poor
fund of knowledge of the codes of God mentioned by Mahäräja Parékñit. The politician
was so ignorant of the codes of God that he writes: "I do not believe in any such
ceremonies, and to submit to them, even as a matter of form, would be hypocrisy and an
attempt to delude ourselves and others... I have no religious sentiment in the matter."

Contrasting these statements of a great politician in the modern age with those of
Mahäräja Parékñit, we find a vast difference. Mahäräja Parékñit was pious according to
the scriptural codes, whereas the modern politician goes by his personal belief and
sentiments. Any great man of the material world is, after all, a conditioned soul. He is
bound by his hands and feet by the ropes of material nature, and still the foolish
conditioned soul thinks of himself as free to act by his whimsical sentiments. SB
1.17.10-11

The kings or the executive heads of all states must know the codes of Lord Kåñëa
(generally Bhagavad-gétä and Çrémad-Bhägavatam) and must act accordingly in order
to fulfill the mission of human life, which is to make an end to all miseries of material
conditions. One who knows the codes of Lord Kåñëa can achieve this end without any
difficulty. In the Bhagavad-gétä, in a synopsis, we can understand the codes of Godhead,
and in the Çrémad-Bhägavatam the same codes are explained further.

In a state where the codes of Kåñëa are followed, no one is unhappy. Where such codes
are not followed, the first sign is that three legs of the representative of religion are cut
off, and thereby all miseries follow. When Kåñëa was personally present, the codes of
Kåñëa were being followed without question, but in His absence such codes are
presented in the pages of Çrémad-Bhägavatam for the guidance of the blind persons who
happen to be at the helm of all affairs. SB 1.17.12

The principles of religion do not stand on some dogmas or man-made formulas, but they
stand on four primary regulative observances, namely austerity, cleanliness, mercy and
truthfulness. The mass of people must be taught to practice these principles from
childhood. SB 1.17.25

Perfect Retirement
Modern politicians should take lessons from Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira about voluntary
retirement from active life and should make room for the younger generation. Also
retired old gentlemen should take lessons from him and leave home for spiritual
realization before forcefully dragged away to meet death. SB 1.15.37

Administration/ Advisory Council of the ideal Leader

Mahäräja Parékñit was, therefore, a devotee of the first order, and thus he used to
consult great sages and learned brähmaëas, who could advise him by the çästras how to
execute the state administration. Such great kings were more responsible than modern
elected executive heads because they obliged the great authorities by following their
instructions left in Vedic literatures. There was no need for impractical fools to enact
daily a new legislative bill and to conveniently alter it again and again to serve some
purpose. The rules and regulations were already set forth by great sages like Manu,
Yäjïavalkya, Paräçara and other liberated sages, and the enactments were all suitable for
all ages in all places. Therefore the rules and regulations were standard and without flaw
or defect. Kings like Mahäräja Parékñit had their council of advisers, and all the
members of that council were either great sages or brähmaëas of the first order. They did
not accept any salary, nor had they any necessity for such salaries. The state would get
the best advice without expenditure. They were themselves sama-darçé, equal to
everyone, both man and animal. They would not advise the king to give protection to
man and instruct him to kill the poor animals. Such council members were not fools or
representatives to compose a fool's paradise. They were all self-realized souls, and they
knew perfectly well how all living beings in the state would be happy, both in this life
and in the next. They were not concerned with the hedonistic philosophy of eat, drink,
be merry and enjoy. They were philosophers in the real sense, and they knew well what
the mission of human life is. Under all these obligations, the advisory council of the king
would give correct directions, and the king or executive head, being himself a qualified
devotee of the Lord, would scrutinizingly follow them for the welfare of the state. The
state in the days of Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira or Mahäräja Parékñit was a welfare state in
the real sense of the term because no one was unhappy in that state, be the man or
animal. Mahäräja Parékñit was an ideal king for a welfare state of the world. SB 1.16.1

Real purpose of Taxing

The kings used to spend lavishly during such sacrifices, as a cloud distributes rains. A
cloud is nothing but another form of water, or, in other words, the waters of the earth
transform into clouds. Similarly, the charity made by the kings in such sacrifices are but
another form of the taxes collected from the citizens. But, as the rains fall down very
lavishly and appear to be more than necessary, the charity made by such kings also
seems to be more than what the citizen needs. Satisfied citizens will never organize
agitation against the king, and thus there was no need in changing the monarchial state.
SB 1.16.3

Self-aggrandizement V/s God-aggrandizement

The purpose of a king's going out to conquer the world is not for self-aggrandizement.
Mahäräja Parékñit went out to conquer the world after his ascendance to the throne, but
this was not for the purpose of aggression on other states. He was the Emperor of the
world, and all small states were already under his regime. His purpose in going out was
to see how things were going on in terms of the godly state. The king, being the
representative of the Lord, has to execute the will of the Lord duly. There is no question
of self-aggrandizement. Thus as soon as Mahäräja Parékñit saw that a lower-class man
in the dress of a king was hurting the legs of a cow and a bull, at once he arrested and
punished him. The king cannot tolerate insults to the most important animal, the cow,
nor can he tolerate disrespect for the most important man, the brähmaëa. Human
civilization means to advance the cause of brahminical culture, and to maintain it, cow
protection is essential. There is a miracle in milk, for it contains all the necessary
vitamins to sustain human physiological conditions for higher achievements.
Brahminical culture can advance only when man is educated to develop the quality of
goodness, and for this there is a prime necessity of food prepared with milk, fruits and
grains. Mahäräja Parékñit was astonished to see that a black çüdra, dressed like a ruler,
was mistreating a cow, the most important animal in human society. SB 1.16.4
Root cause of mismanagement & quarrel in Kali-yuga
The age of Kali means mismanagement and quarrel. And the root cause of all
mismanagement and quarrel is that worthless men with the modes of lower-class men,
who have no higher ambition in life, come to the helm of the state management. Such
men at the post of a king are sure to first hurt the cow and the brahminical culture,
thereby pushing all society towards hell. Mahäräja Parékñit, trained as he was, got the
scent of this root cause of all quarrel in the world. Thus he wanted to stop it in the very
beginning. SB 1.16.4

The principal sign of the age of Kali is that lower-caste çüdras, i.e., men without
brahminical culture and spiritual initiation, will be dressed like administrators or kings,
and the principal business of such non-kñatriya rulers will be to kill the innocent
animals, especially the cows and the bulls, who shall be unprotected by their masters,
the bona fide vaiçyas, the mercantile community.

But in the age of Kali, the çüdra class of men are in the posts of administrators, and the
cows and bulls, or the mothers and the fathers, unprotected by the vaiçyas, are subjected
to the slaughterhouses organized by the çüdra administrators. SB 1.17.1

The next symptom of the age of Kali is that principles of religion, which are all
spotlessly white, like the white lotus flower, will be attacked by the uncultured çüdra
population of the age. They may be descendants of brähmaëa or kñatriya forefathers, but
in the age of Kali, for want of sufficient education and culture of Vedic wisdom, such a
çüdra-like population will defy the principles of religion, and persons who are
religiously endowed will be terrified by such men. They will declare themselves as
adherents of no religious principles, and many "isms" and cults will spring up in Kali-
yuga only to kill the spotless bull of religion. The state will be declared to be secular, or
without any particular principle of religion, and as a result there will be total
indifference to the principles of religion. The citizens will be free to act as they like,
without respect for sädhu, çästra and guru. The bull standing on one leg indicates that
the principles of religion are gradually diminishing. Even the fragmental existence of
religious principles will be embarrassed by so many obstacles as if in the trembling
condition of falling down at any time.

SB 1.17.2

A degraded civilization of sense gratification and economic development is the by-

product of a godless or kingless government of the people, by the people, and for the
people. The people should not, therefore, begrudge the poor administrations they
themselves elect. SB 1.18.45

Sudra elected as Leader in Kali Yuga

This suggests that a pious king like Mahäräja Parékñit should have at once killed an
offender who wanted to cheat the public by dressing like a king and at the same time
daring to insult the purest of the animals, a cow. The åñis in those days, however, could
not even imagine that in the advanced days of the age of Kali the lowest of the çüdras
will be elected as administrators and will open organized slaughterhouses for killing
cows. SB 1.16.5

Symptoms of Kali V/s Response of Leader

The state administration of Mahäräja Parékñit was so perfect that he was sitting in his
capital peacefully. But he got the news that the symptoms of the age of Kali had already
infiltrated into the jurisdiction of his state, and he did not like this news. What are the
symptoms of the age of Kali? They are (1) illicit connection with women, (2) indulgence
in meat-eating, (3) intoxication and (4) taking pleasure in gambling. The age of Kali
literally means the age of quarrel, and the abovementioned four symptoms in human
society are the root causes for all kinds of quarrel. Mahäräja Parékñit heard that some of
the people of the state had already taken to those symptoms, and he wanted to take
immediate steps against such causes of unrest. This means that at least up to the regime
of Mahäräja Parékñit, such symptoms of public life were practically unknown, and as
soon as they were slightly detected, he wanted to root them out. The news was not
palatable for him, but in a way it was, because Mahäräja Parékñit got a chance to fight.
There was no need to fight with small states because everyone was peacefully under his
subordination, but the Kali-yuga miscreants gave his fighting spirit a chance for
exhibition. A perfect kñatriya king is always jubilant as soon as he gets a chance to fight,
just as a sportsman is eager when there is a chance for a sporting match. It is no
argument that in the age of Kali such symptoms are predestined. If so, then why was
there preparation for fighting out such symptoms? Such arguments are offered by lazy
and unfortunate men. In the rainy season, rain is predestined, and yet people take
precautions to protect themselves. Similarly, in the age of Kali the symptoms as above
mentioned are sure to infiltrate into social life, but it is the duty of the state to save the
citizens from the association of the agents of the age of Kali. Mahäräja Parékñit wanted
to punish the miscreants indulging in the symptoms of Kali, and thus save the innocent
citizens who were pure in habit by culture of religion. It is the duty of the king to give
such protection, and Mahäräja Parékñit was perfectly right when he prepared himself to
fight. SB 1.16.10

The administrative heads as a class will condemn the tenets of Vedic wisdom and will
prefer to conduct a so-called secular state, and the so-called educated brähmaëas will be
purchased by such unscrupulous administrators. Even a philosopher and writer of many
books on religious principles may also accept an exalted post in a government which
denies all the moral codes of the çästras. The brähmaëas are specifically restricted from
accepting such service. SB 1.16.21

The so-called administrators are all untrained in the affairs of a kñatriya. The kñatriyas
are meant for administration, as the brähmaëas are meant for knowledge and guidance.
The word kñatra-bandhu refers to the so-called administrators or persons promoted to
the post of the administrator without proper training by culture and tradition. Nowadays
they are promoted to such exalted posts by the votes of the people who are themselves
fallen in the rules and regulations of life. SB 1.16.22

An administrative head or king like Mahäräja Parékñit, with full majestic authority, well
equipped with weapons to chastise miscreants, can challenge the agents of the age of
Kali. Then only will it be possible to counteract the degraded age. And in the absence of
such strong executive heads, there is always disruption of tranquillity. The elected show-
bottle executive head, as representative of a degraded public, cannot be equal with a
strong king like Mahäräja Parékñit. The dress or style of royal order does not count. It is
one's actions which are counted.

SB 1.17.4

In a civilization where God is conspicuously banished, and there is no devotee warrior

like Arjuna, the associates of the age of Kali take advantage of this lawless kingdom and
arrange to kill innocent animals like the cow in secluded slaughterhouses. Such
murderers of animals stand to be condemned to death by the order of a pious king like
Mahäräja Parékñit. For a pious king, the culprit who kills an animal in a secluded place
is punishable by the death penalty, exactly like a murderer who kills an innocent child in
a secluded place. SB 1.17.6

As described above, the personality of Kali is he who deliberately commits all kinds of
sinful acts which are forbidden in the revealed scriptures. This age of Kali will certainly
be full of all activities of Kali, but this does not mean that the leaders of society, the
executive heads, the learned and intelligent men, or above all the devotees of the Lord
should sit down tightly and become callous to the reactions of the age of Kali. In the
rainy season certainly there will be profuse rainfalls, but that does not mean that men
should not take means to protect themselves from the rains. It is the duty of the
executive heads of state and others to take all necessary actions against the activities of
Kali or the persons influenced by the age of Kali; and Mahäräja Parékñit is the ideal
executive head of the state, for at once he was ready to kill the personality of Kali with
his sharp sword. The administrators should not simply pass resolutions for
anticorruption steps, but they must be ready with sharp swords to kill the persons
creating corruptions from the angle of vision of the recognized çästras. The
administrators cannot prevent corrupt activities by allowing wine shops. They must at
once close all shops of intoxicating drugs and wine and force punishment even by death
for those who indulge in habits of intoxication of all description. That is the way of
stopping the activities of Kali, as exhibited herein by Mahäräja Parékñit, the mahä-ratha.
SB 1.17.28

Protection of the Cows-Basis for peace & prosperity

The bull and the cow can be protected for the good of all human society simply by the
spreading of brahminical culture as the topmost perfection of all cultural affairs. By
advancement of such culture, the morale of society is properly maintained, and so peace
and prosperity are also attained without extraneous effort. When brahminical culture
deteriorates, the cow and bull are mistreated, and the resultant actions are prominent by
the following symptoms. SB 1.16.18

In the material world the human society gives all protection to the human being, but
there is no law to protect the descendants of Surabhi, who can give all protection to men
by supplying the miracle food, milk. But Mahäräja Parékñit and the Päëòavas were fully
conscious of the importance of the cow and bull, and they were prepared to punish the
cow-killer with all chastisement, including death. There has sometimes been agitation
for the protection of the cow, but for want of pious executive heads and suitable laws,
the cow and the bull are not given protection. The human society should recognize the
importance of the cow and the bull and thus give all protection to these important
animals, following in the footsteps of Mahäräja Parékñit. For protecting the cows and
brahminical culture, the Lord, who is very kind to the cow and the brähmaëas (go-
brähmaëa-hitäya), will be pleased with us and will bestow upon us real peace. SB 1.17.9

The bull and the cow are the symbols of the most offenseless living beings because even
the stool and urine of these animals are utilized to benefit human society. The
descendants of the sons of Påthä, like Mahäräja Parékñit, were afraid of losing their
reputations, but in the modern days the leaders are not even afraid of killing such
offenseless animals. Herein lies the difference between the reign of those pious kings
and the modern states ruled by irresponsible executive heads without knowledge of the
codes of God. SB 1.17.13

Duty/call of Action for Government/Reformation measure for Goverment

The protection of the lives of both the human beings and the animals is the first and
foremost duty of a government. A government must not discriminate in such principles.
It is simply horrible for a pure-hearted soul to see organized animal-killing by the state
in this age of Kali.

SB 1.17.8

T-It is certainly the prime duty of the king to subdue first the sufferings of those who
suffer.

When there is some disturbance caused by wild animals in a village or town, the police
or others take action to kill them. Similarly, it is the duty of the government to kill at
once all bad social elements such as thieves, dacoits and murderers. The same
punishment is also due to animal-killers because the animals of the state are also the
prajä. Prajä means one who has taken birth in the state, and this includes both men and
animals. Any living being who takes birth in a state has the primary right to live under
the protection of the king. The jungle animals are also subject to the king, and they also
have a right to live. So what to speak of domestic animals like the cows and bulls. SB
1.17.10-11

The state should categorically stop all sorts of gambling, drinking, prostitution and
falsity. The state which wants to eradicate corruption by majority may introduce the
principles of religion in the following manner:

1. Two compulsory fasting days in a month, if not more (austerity). Even from the
economic point of view, such two fasting days in a month in the state will save tons of
food, and the system will also act very favorably on the general health of the citizens.

2. There must be compulsory marriage of young boys and girls attaining twenty-four
years of age and sixteen years of age respectively. There is no harm in coeducation in
the schools and colleges, provided the boys and girls are duly married, and in case there
is any intimate connection between a male and female student, they should be married
properly without illicit relation. The divorce act is encouraging prostitution, and this
should be abolished.

3. The citizens of the state must give in charity up to fifty percent of their income for the
purpose of creating a spiritual atmosphere in the state or in human society, both
individually and collectively. They should preach the principles of Bhägavatam by (a)
karma-yoga, or doing everything for the satisfaction of the Lord, (b) regular hearing of
the Çrémad-Bhägavatam from authorized persons or realized souls, (c) chanting of the
glories of the Lord congregationally at home or at places of worship, (d) rendering all
kinds of service to bhägavatas engaged in preaching Çrémad-Bhägavatam and (e)
residing in a place where the atmosphere is saturated with God consciousness. If the
state is regulated by the above process, naturally there will be God consciousness
everywhere.

Gambling of all description, even speculative business enterprise, is considered to be

degrading, and when gambling is encouraged in the state, there is a complete
disappearance of truthfulness. Allowing young boys and girls to remain unmarried more
than the above-mentioned ages and licensing animal slaughterhouses of all description
should be at once prohibited. The flesh-eaters may be allowed to take flesh as mentioned
in the scriptures, and not otherwise. Intoxication of all description-even smoking
cigarettes, chewing tobacco or the drinking of tea-must be prohibited. SB 1.17.38

Even a gold-standard exchange and currency is bad. Gold-standard currency is based on

falsehood because the currency is not on a par with the reserved gold. The basic
principle is falsity because currency notes are issued in value beyond that of the actual
reserved gold. This artificial inflation of currency by the authorities encourages
prostitution of the state economy. The price of commodities becomes artificially inflated
because of bad money, or artificial currency notes. Bad money drives away good money.
Instead of paper currency, actual gold coins should be used for exchange, and this will
stop prostitution of gold. Gold ornaments for women may be allowed by control, not by
quality, but by quantity. This will discourage lust, envy and enmity. When there is actual
gold currency in the form of coins, the influence of gold in producing falsity,
prostitution, etc., will automatically cease. There will be no need of an anticorruption
ministry for another term of prostitution and falsity of purpose. SB 1.17.39

The Personality of Godhead and His holy name, qualities, etc., are all identical. The
personality of Kali was not able to enter the jurisdiction of the earth due to the presence
of the Personality of Godhead. And similarly, if there is an arrangement for the constant
chanting of the holy names, qualities, etc., of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there
is no chance at all for the personality of Kali to enter. That is the technique of driving
away the personality of Kali from the world. In modernized human society there are
great advancements of material science, and they have invented the radio to distribute
sound in the air. So instead of vibrating some nuisance sound for sense enjoyment, if the
state arranges to distribute transcendental sound by resounding the holy name, fame and
activities of the Lord, as they are authorized in the Bhagavad-gétä or Çrémad-
Bhägavatam, then a favorable condition will be created, the principles of religion in the
world will be reestablished, and thus the executive heads, who are so anxious to drive
away corruption from the world, will be successful. Nothing is bad if properly used for
the service of the Lord. SB1.18.6

Effect of Powerful Leadership

Dishonest miscreants flourish because of cowardly and impotent executive heads of
state. But when the executive heads are strong enough to curb all sorts of dishonest
miscreants, in any part of the state, certainly they cannot flourish. When the miscreants
are punished in an exemplary manner, automatically all good fortune follows. As said
before, it is the prime duty of the king or the executive head to give protection in all
respects to the peaceful, offenseless citizens of the state. The devotees of the Lord are by
nature peaceful and offenseless, and therefore it is the prime duty of the state to arrange
to convert everyone to become a devotee of the Lord. Thus automatically there will be
peaceful, offenseless citizens. Then the only duty of the king will be to curb the
dishonest miscreants. That will bring about peace and harmony all over human society.
SB 1.17.14

An upstart living being who commits offenses by torturing those who are offenseless
shall be directly uprooted by me, even though he is a denizen of heaven with armor and
decorations.T

Mahäräja Parékñit challenges even such denizens of heaven if they torture the
offenseless. This means that the state executive head must be as strong as Mahäräja
Parékñit so that he may be determined to punish the strongest offenders. It should be the
principle of a state executive head that the offender of the codes of God is always
punished. SB 1.17.15
The king, or the executive head, must be so strong as to stand before the personality of
Kali like the personality of death, Yamaräja. The King's order must be obeyed;
otherwise the culprit's life is in risk. That is the way to rule the personalities of Kali who
create disturbance in the normal life of the state citizens. SB 1.17.35

But he could not do so satisfactorily due to the presence of Mahäräja Parékñit. That is
the way of good government. The disturbing elements like the personality of Kali will
always try to extend their nefarious activities, but it is the duty of the able state to check
them by all means. Although Mahäräja Parékñit allotted places for the personality of
Kali, at the same time he gave no chance for the citizens to be swayed by the personality
of Kali. SB 1.18.5

Due to Mahäräja Parékñit's good government, even a boy of tender age, who was
playing with other inexperienced boys, could become as powerful as a qualified
brähmaëa. SB1.18.32

Ideal Leader V/s Kali Yuga Leader

The conclusion is, therefore, that the sufferings of the representative of religion and the
representative of the earth, as present before Mahäräja Parékñit, were planned to prove
that Mahäräja Parékñit was the ideal executive head because he knew well how to give
protection to the cows (the earth) and the brähmaëas (religious principles), the two
pillars of spiritual advancement. SB 1.17.20

The kñatriya, or the man who is qualified to protect the sufferers, is meant to rule the
state. Untrained lower-class men, or men without ambition to protect the sufferers,
cannot be placed on the seat of an administrator. Unfortunately, in the age of Kali the
lower-class men, without training, occupy the post of a ruler by strength of popular
votes, and instead of protecting the sufferers; such men create a situation quite
intolerable for everyone. Such rulers illegally gratify themselves at the cost of all
comforts of the citizens, and thus the chaste mother earth cries to see the pitiable
condition of her sons, both men and animals. That is the future of the world in the age of
Kali, when irreligiosity prevails most prominently. And in the absence of a suitable king
to curb irreligious tendencies, educating the people systematically in the teaching of
Çrémad-Bhägavatam will clear up the hazy atmosphere of corruption, bribery,
blackmail, etc. SB 1.17.27

Following the instruction of his father, Mahäräja Priyavrata, Mahäräja Ägnédhra ruled
the inhabitants of Jambüdvépa according to religious principles. These principles are
exactly contrary to the modern principles of faithlessness. As clearly stated here, the
King protected the citizens the way a father protects his begotten children. How he ruled
the citizens is also described here—dharmävekñamäëaù, strictly according to religious
principles. It is the duty of the executive head of a state to see that the citizens strictly
follow religious principles. The Vedic religious principles begin with varëäçrama-
dharma, the duties of the four varëas and four äçramas. Dharma refers to principles
given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The first principle of dharma, or religion,
is to observe the duties of the four orders as enjoined by the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. According to people's qualities and activities, society should be divided into
brähmaëas, kñatriyas, vaiçyas and çüdras and then again into brahmacärés, gåhasthas,
vänaprasthas and sannyäsés. These are religious principles, and it is the duty of the head
of state to see that his citizens strictly follow them. He should not merely act officially;
he should be like a father who is always a well-wisher of his sons. Such a father strictly
observes whether his sons are performing their duties, and sometimes he also punishes
them.

Just contrary to the principles mentioned here, the presidents and chief executives in the
age of Kali are simply tax collectors who do not care whether religious principles are
observed. Indeed, the chief executives of the present day introduce all kinds of sinful
activity, especially illicit sex, intoxication, animal killing and gambling. These sinful
activities are now very prominently manifested in India. Although a hundred years ago
these four principles of sinful life were strictly prohibited in the families of India, they
have now been introduced into every Indian family; therefore they cannot follow
religious principles. In contrast to the principles of the kings of old, the modern state is
concerned only with propaganda for levying taxes and is no longer responsible for the
spiritual welfare of the citizens. The state is now callous to religious principles. Çrémad-
Bhägavatam predicts that in Kali-yuga the government will be entrusted with dasyu-
dharma, which means the occupational duty of rogues and thieves. Modern heads of
state are rogues and thieves who plunder the citizens instead of giving them protection.
Rogues and thieves plunder without regard for law, but in this age of Kali, as stated in
Çrémad-Bhägavatam, the lawmakers themselves plunder the citizens. The next
prediction to be fulfilled, which is already coming to pass, is that because of the sinful
activities of the citizens and the government, rain will become increasingly scarce.
Gradually there will be complete drought and no production of food grains. People will
be reduced to eating flesh and seeds, and many good, spiritually inclined people will
have to forsake their homes because they will be too harassed by drought, taxation and
famine. The Kåñëa consciousness movement is the only hope to save the world from
such devastation. It is the most scientific and authorized movement for the actual
welfare of the whole human society.SB5.2.1-P

As a representative of the Supreme Lord, the king had the duty to protect the citizens in
a perfect way so that they would not be anxious for food and protection and so that they
would be jubilant. The king would supply everything for their benefit, and because of
this he would levy taxes. If the king or government otherwise levies taxes on the
citizens, he becomes responsible for the sinful activities of the citizens. In Kali-yuga,
monarchy is abolished because the kings themselves are subjected to the influence of
Kali-yuga. It is understood from the Rämäyaëa that when Vibhéñaëa became friends
with Lord Rämacandra, he promised that if by chance or will he broke the laws of
friendship with Lord Rämacandra, he would become a brähmaëa or a king in Kali-yuga.
In this age, as Vibhéñaëa indicated, both brähmaëas and kings are in a wretched
condition. Actually there are no kings or brähmaëas in this age, and due to their absence
the whole world is in a chaotic condition and is always in distress. Compared to present
standards, Mahäräja Gaya was a true representative of Lord Viñëu; therefore he was
known as Mahäpuruña.
SB 5.15.7

Way of correcting the flaws of human society

With the progression of the age of Kali, people are becoming very proud, and attached
to women and intoxication. By the influence of the age of Kali, even a pauper is proud
of his penny, the women are always dressed in an overly attractive fashion to victimize
the minds of men, and the man is addicted to drinking wine, smoking, drinking tea and
chewing tobacco, etc. All these habits, or so-called advancement of civilization, are the
root causes of all irreligiosities, and therefore it is not possible to check corruption,
bribery and nepotism. Man cannot check all these evils simply by statutory acts and
police vigilance, but he can cure the disease of the mind by the proper medicine, namely
advocating the principles of brahminical culture or the principles of austerity,
cleanliness, mercy and truthfulness. Modern civilization and economic development are
creating a new situation of poverty and scarcity with the result of blackmailing the
consumer's commodities. If the leaders and the rich men of the society spend fifty
percent of their accumulated wealth mercifully for the misled mass of people and
educate them in God consciousness, the knowledge of Bhägavatam, certainly the age of
Kali will be defeated in its attempt to entrap the conditioned souls. We must always
remember that false pride, or too high an estimation of one's own values of life, undue
attachment to women or association with them, and intoxication will divert human
civilization from the path of peace, however much the people clamor for peace in the
world. The preaching of the Bhägavatam principles will automatically render all men
austere, clean both inside and outside, merciful to the suffering, and truthful in daily
behavior. That is the way of correcting the flaws of human society, which are very
prominently exhibited at the present moment. SB 1.17.24

The state of India should better follow the examples of Mahäräja Parékñit, the ideal
executive head, than to imitate other materialistic states which have no idea of the
kingdom of Godhead, the ultimate goal of human life. Deterioration of the ideals of
Indian civilization has brought about the deterioration of civic life, not only in India but
also abroad. SB1.19.4

Principles of Religion are not dogmas /regulative principle of certain faith

If the personality of Kali, irreligion, is allowed to act as a man-god or an executive head,
certainly irreligious principles like greed, falsehood, robbery, incivility, treachery,
misfortune, cheating, quarrel and vanity will abound.-T

The principles of religion, namely austerity, cleanliness, mercy and truthfulness, as we

have already discussed, may be followed by the follower of any faith. There is no need
to turn from Hindu to Mohammedan to Christian or some other faith and thus become a
renegade and not follow the principles of religion. The Bhägavatam religion urges
following the principles of religion. The principles of religion are not the dogmas or
regulative principles of a certain faith. Such regulative principles may be different in
terms of the time and place concerned. One has to see whether the aims of religion have
been achieved. Sticking to the dogmas and formulas without attaining the real principles
is not good. A secular state may be impartial to any particular type of faith, but the state
cannot be indifferent to the principles of religion as above-mentioned. But in the age of
Kali, the executive heads of state will be indifferent to such religious principles, and
therefore under their patronage the opponents of religious principles, such as greed,
falsehood, cheating and palfrey, will naturally follow, and so there will be no meaning to
propaganda crying to stop corruption in the state. -SB 1.17.32-P

Criteria for selection of Leader

The four leaders of the human society, namely the sannyäsés, the brähmaëa, the king
and the public leader, must be tested crucially by their character and qualification.
Before one can be accepted as a spiritual or material master of society, he must be tested
by the above-mentioned criteria of character. Such public leaders may be less qualified
in academic qualifications, but it is necessary primarily that they be free from the
contamination of the four disqualifications, namely gambling, drinking, prostitution and
animal slaughter. SB 1.17.41

Kingdom of God without God consciousness

The principles of Mahäräja Parékñit can be still continued, and human society can still
be improved if there is determination by the authorities. We can still purge out from the
state all the activities of immorality introduced by the personality of Kali if we are
determined to take action like Mahäräja Parékñit. He allotted some place for Kali, but in
fact Kali could not find such places in the world at all because Mahäräja Parékñit was
strictly vigilant to see that there were no places for gambling, drinking, prostitution and
animal slaughter. Modern administrators want to banish corruption from the state, but
fools as they are, they do not know how to do it. They want to issue licenses for
gambling houses, wine and other intoxicating drug houses, brothels, hotel prostitution
and cinema houses, and falsity in every dealing, even in their own, and they want at the
same time to drive out corruption from the state. They want the kingdom of God without
God consciousness. How can it be possible to adjust two contradictory matters? If we
want to drive out corruption from the state, we must first of all organize society to
accept the principles of religion, namely austerity, cleanliness, mercy and truthfulness,
and to make the condition favorable we must close all places of gambling, drinking,
prostitution and falsity. These are some of the practical lessons from the pages of
Çrémad-Bhägavatam. SB1.17.44

Complete Co-operation of State & doctrines of philosophy/ Brahmana & Ksatriya

Mahäräja Parékñit, the son of Abhimanyu, is so experienced that by dint of his expert
administration and patronage, it has been possible for you to perform a sacrifice such as
this.- T

Without state support, no doctrines of philosophy or religious principles can

progressively advance
The brähmaëas and the sannyäsés are expert in the spiritual advancement of society,
whereas the kñatriyas or the administrators are expert in the material peace and
prosperity of human society. Both of them are the pillars of all happiness, and therefore
they are meant for full cooperation for common welfare. Mahäräja Parékñit was
experienced enough to drive away Kali from his field of activities and thereby make the
state receptive to spiritual enlightenment. If the common people are not receptive, it is
very difficult to impress upon them the necessity of spiritual enlightenment. Austerity,
cleanliness, mercy and truthfulness, the basic principles of religion, prepare the ground
for the reception of advancement in spiritual knowledge, and Mahäräja Parékñit made
this favorable condition possible. Thus the åñis of Naimiñäraëya were able to perform
the sacrifices for a thousand years. In other words, without state support, no doctrines of
philosophy or religious principles can progressively advance. There should be complete
cooperation between the brähmaëas and the kñatriyas for this common good. Even up to
Mahäräja Açoka, the same spirit was prevailing. Lord Buddha was sufficiently
supported by King Açoka, and thus his particular cult of knowledge was spread all over
the world. SB 1.17.45

Self interest coincides with the interest of the Lord

tapasvino däna-parä yaçasvino
manasvino mantra-vidaù sumaìgaläù
kñemaà na vindanti vinä yad-arpaëaà
tasmai subhadra-çravase namo namaù
Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the all-auspicious Lord Çré Kåñëa again and
again because the great learned sages, the great performers of charity, the great workers
of distinction, the great philosophers and mystics, the great chanters of the Vedic hymns
and the great followers of Vedic principles cannot achieve any fruitful result without
dedication of such great qualities to the service of the Lord.

Advancement of learning, a charitable disposition, political, social or religious

leadership of human society, philosophical speculations, the practice of the yoga system,
expertise in the Vedic rituals, and all similar high qualities in man serve one in the
attainment of perfection only when they are employed in the service of the Lord.
Without such dovetailing, all such qualities become sources of trouble for people in
general. Everything can be utilized either for one's own sense gratification or in the
service of one other than oneself. There are two kinds of self-interest also, namely
personal selfishness and extended selfishness. But there is no qualitative difference
between personal and extended selfishness. Theft for personal interest or for the family
interest is of the same quality—namely, criminal. A thief pleading not guilty because of
committing theft not for personal interest but for the interest of society or country has
never been excused by the established law of any country. People in general have no
knowledge that the self-interest of a living being attains perfection only when such an
interest coincides with the interest of the Lord. For example, what is the interest of
maintaining body and soul together? One earns money for maintenance of the body
(personal or social), but unless there is God consciousness, unless the body is being
properly maintained to realize one's relation with God, all good efforts to maintain body
and soul together are similar to the attempts of the animals to maintain body and soul
together. The purpose of maintaining the human body is different from that of the
animals. Similarly, advancement of learning, economic development, philosophical
research, study in the Vedic literature or even the execution of pious activities (like
charity, opening of hospitals, and the distribution of food grains) should be done in
relation with the Lord. The aim of all such acts and endeavors must be the pleasure of
the Lord and not the satisfaction of any other identity, individual or collective
(saàsiddhir hari-toñaëam [SB 1.2.13]). The same principle is confirmed in the
Bhagavad-gétä (9.27), where it is said that whatever we may give in charity and
whatever we may observe in austerity must be given over to the Lord or be done on His
account only. The expert leaders of a godless human civilization cannot bring about a
fruitful result in all their different attempts at educational advancement or economic
development unless they are God conscious. And to become God conscious one has to
hear about the all-auspicious Lord, as He is described in literature like the Bhagavad-
gétä and Çrémad-Bhägavatam. SB 2.4.17

Leadership of world affairs is entrusted to the devotees of the Lord

And from the version of Çréla Çukadeva Gosvämé it appears that instead of running a
godless civilization in the present context of the world situation, if the leadership of
world affairs is entrusted to the devotees of the Lord, for which a worldwide
organization under the name and style of the International Society for Krishna
Consciousness has already been started, then by the grace of the Almighty Lord there
can be a thorough change of heart in human beings all over the world because the
devotees of the Lord are able authorities to effect such a change by purifying the dust-
worn minds of the people in general. The politicians of the world may remain in their
respective positions because the pure devotees of the Lord are not interested in political
leadership or diplomatic implications. The devotees are interested only in seeing that the
people in general are not misguided by political propaganda and in seeing that the
valuable life of a human being is not spoiled in following a type of civilization which is
ultimately doomed. If the politicians, therefore, would be guided by the good counsel of
the devotees, then certainly there would be a great change in the world situation by the
purifying propaganda of the devotees, as shown by Lord Caitanya. As Çukadeva
Gosvämé began one of his prayers with the words yat-kértanam, so also Lord Caitanya
recommended that simply by glorifying the Lord's holy name a tremendous change of
heart can take place, by which the complete misunderstanding between the human
nations created by politicians can at once be extinguished. And after the extinction of the
fire of misunderstanding, other profits will follow. The destination is to go back home,
back to Godhead, as we have several times discussed in these pages. SB 2.4.18

Lord is the Real Leader of the whole world/Lord is the chief leader
Religious affiliation in terms of different countries and cultural circumstances is
obviously not the common religion of the human being; rather, the basic principle is
devotional service. Even if a particular type of religious principle does not recognize the
supremacy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the followers still have to obey the
disciplinary principles laid down by a particular leader. Such a leader of a religious sect
is never the supreme leader because such a circumstantial leader comes to the position of
leadership after undergoing some penance. The Supreme Personality of Godhead does
not, however, require to be under disciplinary action to become leader, as we see in the
activities of Lord Kåñëa. SB2.8.18

The whole Vaikuëöha existence proclaims that everyone there is a follower of the Lord.
The Lord is the chief leader there, without any competition for leadership, and the
people in general are all followers of the Lord. It is confirmed in theVedas, therefore,
that the Lord is the chief leader and all other living entities are subordinate to Him, for
only the Lord satisfies all the needs of all other living entities. SB2.9.10

IDEAL CHARACTER
SB-3.16.24----P----In Bhagavad-gétä it is stated by the Lord Himself that the acts and
character of great authorities are followed by people in general. Leaders of ideal
character are therefore needed in society. Kåñëa, the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, appeared in this material world just to show the example of perfect
authority, and people have to follow His path.

One worship the brähmaëas and Vaiñëavas by offering them all kinds of endowments
and sweet words, and if one has no means to offer anything, he must at least use sweet
words to pacify them. The Lord personally exhibited this behavior towards the Kumäras.

If this system is not introduced by the leaders, then human civilization will be lost.
When there is no protection and special treatment for persons who are devotees of the
Lord, who are highly intelligent in spiritual life, then the whole society, is lost.
SB-3.12.31----P----The post of Brahmä is the supermost post in the universe, and it
appears that there are many Brahmäs and many universes besides the one in which we
are situated. One who fills this post must be ideal in behavior, for Brahmä sets the
example for all living entities. Brahmä, the living entity who is the most pious and
spiritually elevated, is entrusted with a post next to that of the Personality of Godhead.

SB-3.12.32----T----Even though you are the most powerful being, this act does not suit
you because your character is followed for spiritual improvement by people in
general.

SB-3.12.32----P----Brahmä remains unimpeachable in all conditions. But still, since he

is the spiritual master of all living entities, his behavior and character be so ideal that
people will follow such sublime behavior and derive the highest spiritual benefit.
Therefore, he not have acted as he did.

DUTY BOUND
Leader be duty bound, personal feelings does not matter and importance be on
focusing on service, let any amount of negativity comes it does not affect.

SB-3.18---Lord doesn’t react to the abusing words of Hiranyaksa while He is rescuing

mother earth that implies

NOT BE PUFFED UP
SB-3.9.29----P----Any person authorized by either the Lord or by His bona fide
representative is already blessed, as is the work entrusted to him. Of course, the person
entrusted with such a responsibility always be aware of his incapability and must
always look for the mercy of the Lord for the successful execution of his duty. One
should not be puffed up because he is entrusted with certain executive work.
Fortunate is he who is so entrusted, and if he is always fixed in the sense of being
subordinate to the will of the Supreme, he is sure to come out successful in the discharge
of his work. Arjuna was entrusted with the work of fighting on the Battlefield of
Kurukñetra, and before he was so entrusted, the Lord had already arranged for his
victory. But Arjuna was always conscious of his position as subordinate to the Lord, and
thus he accepted Him as the supreme guide in his responsibility. Anyone who takes
pride in doing responsible work but does not give credit to the Supreme Lord is
certainly falsely proud and cannot execute anything nicely. Brahmä and persons in
the line of his disciplic succession who follow in his footsteps are always successful in
the discharge of loving transcendental service to the Supreme Lord.

SB-3.9.29 any person authorized by either the Lord or by His bona fide representative is
already blessed, as is the work entrusted to him. Of course, the person entrusted with
such a responsibility always be aware of his incapability and must always look for the
mercy of the Lord for the successful execution of his duty. One should not be puffed up
because he is entrusted with certain executive work. Fortunate is he who is so entrusted,
and if he is always fixed in the sense of being subordinate to the will of the
Supreme.Anyone who takes pride in doing responsible work but does not give
credit to the Supreme Lord is certainly falsely proud and cannot execute anything
nicely.

AVOID TEMPTATION
SB-3.3.5----T--- Just to please His dear wife, the Lord brought back the pärijäta tree
from heaven, just as an ordinary husband would do. But Indra, the King of heaven,
induced by his wives (henpecked as he was), ran after the Lord with full force to fight
Him.P----Indra's wives inspired him to run after the Lord to fight, and Indra, because he
was a henpecked husband and also a fool, listened to them and dared to fight with
Kåñëa. He was a fool on this occasion because he forgot that everything belongs to the
Lord.

(L) Leader avoid temptation to become populist and to avoid temptation

cultivate mode goodness

Para dukha dukhi

SB- 3.9.8 A pure devotee of the Lord like Brahmä and persons in his disciplic
succession are always unhappy to see the perplexities of the conditioned souls, who are
suffering the onslaughts of the threefold miseries which pertain to the body and mind, to
the disturbances of material nature, and to many other such material disadvantages. Not
knowing adequate measures for relieving such difficulties, suffering persons sometimes
pose themselves as leaders of the people, and the unfortunate followers are put into
further disadvantages under such so-called leadership. This is like a blind man's
leading another blind man to fall into a ditch. Therefore, unless the devotees of the
Lord take pity on them and teach them the right path, their lives are hopeless failures.
The devotees of the Lord who voluntarily take the responsibility of raising the foolish
materialistic sense enjoyers are as confidential to the Lord as Lord Brahmä.
 TEACH BY PERSONAL EXAMPLE
The best way to compensate for one's sinful acts is to give up one's body at once,
and Brahmä, the leader of the living entities, showed this by his personal example.
Brahmä has a fabulous duration of life, but he was obliged to give up his body due to his
grievous sin, even though he had merely contemplated it in his mind without having
actually done it. SB-3.12.33----P

It is essential for human society to have a section of men perfectly trained as qualified
brähmaëas according to the instructions of Vedic knowledge. Those below the
brahminical qualification—administrators, merchants and workers—should take
instructions from those ideal people who are considered to be intellectuals. In this way,
everyone can be elevated to the highest transcendental position and be freed from
material attachment. The material world is described by Lord Kåñëa Himself as
duùkhälayam açäçvatam [Bg. 8.15], a temporary place of misery. No one can stay here,
even if he makes a compromise with misery. One has to give up this body and accept
another, which may not even be a human body. As soon as one gets a material body, he
becomes deha-bhåt, or dehé. In other words, he is subjected to all the material
conditions. The leaders of society must be so ideal that by following them one can be
relieved from the clutches of material existence.SB5.4.15

yad yad äcarati çreyän

itaras tat tad éhate

sa yat pramäëaà kurute

lokas tad anuvartate

The mass of people follow the example of a leader in society and imitate his behavior.
They accept as evidence whatever the leader accepts.SB6.2.4

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY of Subordinates wrong doing

SB-3.16.5----T----Lord Vishnu TAKES RESPONSIBILITY for act of JAI &
VIJAY- A wrong act committed by a servant leads people in general to blame his
master, just as a spot of white leprosy on any part of the body pollutes all of the skin.
BE RESPECTFUL TO LORD/BRAHAMANA
SB-3.9.18 Brahmä is the greatest personality in the universe because he has the longest
duration of life. He is the most respectable personality because of his penance, influence,
prestige, etc., and still he has to offer his respectful obeisances unto the Lord. Therefore,
it is incumbent upon all others, who are far, far below the standard of Brahmä, to do as
he did and offer respects as a matter of duty.

SB-3.16.24----P----When Kåñëa was on this planet, He set a practical example. He was

a cowherd boy, and He was very respectful to the brähmaëas and devotees.

ACCEPT DEPENDENCY OF LORD

SB-3.9.23 Brahmä, who is only an assistant in the modes of creation, wanted to remain
in his actual position as an instrument of the Lord instead of becoming puffed up by the
false prestige of thinking himself the creator. That is the way of becoming dear to the
Supreme Lord and receiving His benediction. Foolish men want to take credit for all
creations made by them, but leader know very well that not a blade of grass can
move without the will of the Lord; thus all the credit for wonderful creations must go
to Him. By spiritual consciousness only can one be free from the contamination of
material affection and receive the benedictions offered by the Lord.

WORK FOR THE SATISFICATION OF LORD.

SB-3.9.41 There are many traditionally pious activities in human society, such as
altruism, philanthropy, nationalism, internationalism, charity, sacrifice, penance, and
even meditation in trance, and all of them can be fully beneficial only when they lead to
the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The perfection of any activity—
social, political, religious or philanthropic—is to satisfy the Supreme Lord. This secret
of success is known to the devotee of the Lord, as exemplified by Arjuna on the
Battlefield of Kurukñetra. As a good, nonviolent man, Arjuna did not want to fight with
his kinsmen, but when he understood that Kåñëa wanted the fight and had arranged it at
Kurukñetra, he gave up his own satisfaction and fought for the satisfaction of the Lord.

KNOW THE ART OF ENGAGING PEOPLE

A leader know who falls in which category because some are :-

Directive to one who has no will and no skill needs direction

Directive Consultation to one who has will but no skill, needs consultation
Inspirational to one who has no will but skill
Swarat, one who has both skill and will, needs little consultation

SB- 3.18.21 -Brahma, being the chief of all living entities, has a greater potential of
independence than any other. He is the representative of Krsna, the Supreme Personality
of Godhead, and has been assigned to preside over universal affairs. All other demigods
work for him; therefore he is described here as svarat. He is always accompanied by
great sages and transcendentalists---.

(PA) A leader capable of doing everything at his own and if anyone comes
engage them. An intelligent leader will recognize the ability of a person and engage
them accordingly.

SB- 3.12.18 ------Brahma sending Rudras to perform penance.

BE WELL VERSED IN SCRIPTURES

SB-3.12.38----P----The Vedas contain perfect knowledge, which includes all kinds of
knowledge necessary for the human society, not only on this particular planet but on
other planets as well. It is understood that military art is also necessary knowledge for
the upkeep of social order, as is the art of music. All these groups of knowledge are
called the Upapuräëa, or supplements of the Vedas. Spiritual knowledge is the main
topic of the Vedas, but to help the human being's spiritual pursuit of knowledge, the
other information, as above mentioned, forms necessary branches of the Vedic
knowledge.

SEE ALL LIVING BEING IN EQUAL VISION

SB-3.9.32 Since the Lord's potency is distributed everywhere, a pure soul, or devotee
/Leader of the Lord, can see everything in relationship with the Lord, and therefore he
has no affection for the outer coverings. That pure spiritual conception makes him
immune to all contamination of material association. The pure devotee/Leader never
forgets the touch of the Lord in all circumstances.

t is indicated herein that the government or king has the duty of protecting not only the
human beings but all other living entities, including animals, trees and plants. No living
entity should be killed unnecessarily.SB6.4.7

PURPOSE FOR LEADERSHIP & ADMINISTRATION

BRAHMA TO MANU-SB-3.13.12----T----O King, if you can give proper protection to
the living beings in the material world, that will be the best service for me. When the
Supreme Lord sees you to be a good protector of the conditioned souls, certainly the
master of the senses will be very pleased with you.

SB-3.13.12----P---- The whole administrative system is arranged for the purpose of

going back home, back to Godhead. Brahmä is the representative of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, and Manu is the representative of Brahmä. Similarly, all other
kings on different planets of the universe are representatives of Manu. The lawbook for
the entire human society is the Manu-samhita, which directs all activities towards the
transcendental service of the Lord. Every king, therefore, must know that his
responsibility in administration is not merely to exact taxes from the citizens but to
see personally that the citizens under him are being trained in vishnu worship.
Everyone must be educated in vishnu worship and engaged in the devotional service of
HRISHIKESH, the owner of the senses. The conditioned souls are meant not to satisfy
their material senses but to satisfy the senses of HRISHIKESH, the Supreme Personality
of Godhead. That is the purpose of the complete administrative system. One, who
knows this secret, as disclosed here in the version of Brahmä, is the perfect
administrative head. One who does not know this is a show-bottle administrator. By
training the citizens in the devotional service of the Lord, the head of a state can be
free in his responsibility; otherwise he will fail in the onerous duty entrusted to him
and thus be punishable by the supreme authority. There is no other alternative in
the discharge of administrative duty.

To check the increase of demoniac population

SB-3.17.15----P---- The Vedic civilization enacted so many rules and regulations of
social life, the most important of which is the garbhädhäna process for begetting good
children. In Bhagavad-gétä Arjuna informed Kåñëa that if there is unwanted population
(varëa-saìkara), the entire world will appear to be hell. In having sex life to beget
children, one observe the process for begetting nice children; if each and every
householder in every family observes the Vedic system, then there are nice children, not
demons, and automatically there is peace in the world. If we do not follow regulations
in life for social tranquility, we cannot expect peace. Rather, we will have to
undergo the stringent reactions of natural laws.

SPECIFICALLY PROTECT THE BRAHMANAS & THE COWS

SB-3.22.3----P----The purpose of the Vedas is to propagate the transcendental
knowledge of the Absolute Truth. The brähmaëas were created from the mouth of the
Supreme Person, and therefore they are meant to spread the knowledge of the Vedas in
order to spread the glories of the Lord. In Bhagavad-gétä also Lord Kåñëa says that all
the Vedas are meant for understanding the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is
especially mentioned here (yoga-yuktän alampaöän) that brähmaëas are full of mystic
power and are completely averse to sense gratification. Actually there are two kinds of
occupations. One occupation, in the material world, is sense gratification, and the
other occupation is spiritual activity—to satisfy the Lord by His glorification.
Those who engage in sense gratification are called demons, and those who spread
the glorification of the Lord or satisfy the transcendental senses of the Lord are
called demigods. It is specifically mentioned here that the brähmaëas are created from
the face of the cosmic personality, or viräö-puruña; similarly the kñatriyas are said to be
created from His arms, the vaiçyas are created from His waist, and the çüdras are created
from His legs. Brähmaëas are especially meant for austerity, learning and knowledge
and are averse to all kinds of sense gratification.

SYSTEMATICALLY PLAN VARNARSRAMA SYSTEM

WHY? IT IS HUMAN NECESSITY

SB-3.29.31----T----Among human beings, the society which is divided according to

quality and work is best, and in that society, the intelligent men, who are designated as
brähmaëas, are best. Among the brähmaëas, one who has studied the Vedas is the best,
and among the brähmaëas who have studied the Vedas, one who knows the actual
purport of Veda is the best.

PURPORT-The system of four classifications in human society according to quality and

work is very scientific. This system of brähmaëas, kñatriyas, vaiçyas and çüdras has now
become vitiated as the present caste system in India, but it appears that this system has
been current a very long time, since it is mentioned in Çrémad-Bhägavatam and
Bhagavad-gétä. Unless there is such a division of the social orders in human society,
including the intelligent class, the martial class, the mercantile class and the laborer
class, there is always confusion as to who is to work for what purpose. A person
trained to the stage of understanding the Absolute Truth is a brähmaëa, and when such a
brähmaëa is veda jïa, he understands the purpose of Veda. The purpose of Veda is to
understand the Absolute. One who understands the Absolute Truth in three phases,
namely Brahman, Paramätmä and Bhagavän, and who understands the term Bhagavän to
mean the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is considered to be the best of the
brähmaëas, or a Vaiñëava.

SB-3.12.42----P----The nucleus of the four spiritual orders—brahmacarya, or student

life, gåhastha, or householder family life, vänaprastha, or retired life for practicing
penance, and sannyäsa, or renounced life for preaching the truth—is the four legs of
religion. The vocational divisions are the brähmaëas, or the intelligent class, the
kñatriyas, or administrative class, the vaiçyas, or mercantile productive class, and the
çüdras, or general laborer class who have no specific qualifications. All were
systematically planned and created by Brahmä for the regular promotion of self-
realization. Student life is meant for acquiring the best education; household family
life is meant for gratifying the senses, provided it is performed with a charitable
disposition of mind, retirement from household life is meant for penance, for
advancement in spiritual life, and renounced life is meant for preaching the
Absolute Truth to the people in general. The combined actions of all members of
society make the whole situation favorable for the upliftment of the mission of human
life. The beginning of this social institution is based on education meant for purifying
the animal propensities of the human being. The highest purificatory process is
knowledge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the purest of the pure.

SB-3.22.4----T----That is why the brähmaëas and kñatriyas protect each other, as well as
themselves; and the Lord Himself, who is both the cause and effect and is yet
immutable, protects them through each other.

SB-3.22.4----P----The entire social structure of varëa and äçrama is a cooperative system

meant to uplift all to the highest platform of spiritual realization. The brähmaëas are
intended to be protected by the kñatriyas, and the kñatriyas also are intended to be
enlightened by the brähmaëas. When the brähmaëas and kñatriyas cooperate
nicely, the other subordinate divisions, the vaiçyas, or mercantile people, and the
çüdras, or laborer class, automatically flourish. The entire elaborate system of Vedic
society was therefore based on the importance of the brähmaëas and kñatriyas. The
Lord is the real protector, but He is unattached to the affairs of protection. He
creates brähmaëas for the protection of the kñatriyas, and kñatriyas for the
protection of the brähmaëas. He remains aloof from all activities; therefore, He is
called nirvikära, "without activity." He has nothing to do. He is so great that He does
not perform action personally, but His energies act. The brähmaëas and kñatriyas, and
anything that we see, are different energies acting upon one another. Although
individual souls are all different, the Superself, or Supersoul, is the Supreme Personality
of Godhead. Individually one's self may differ from others in certain qualities and
may engage in different activities, such as those of a brähmaëa, kñatriya or vaiçya,
but when there is complete cooperation among different individual souls, the
Supreme Personality of Godhead as Supersoul, Paramätmä, being one in every
individual soul, is pleased and gives them all protection. As stated before, the
brähmaëas are produced from the mouth of the Lord, and the kñatriyas are produced
from the chest or arms of the Lord. If the different castes or social sections, although
apparently differently occupied in different activities, nevertheless act in full
cooperation, then the Lord is pleased. This is the idea of the institution of four varëas
and four äçramas. If the members of different ashrama and varnas cooperate fully in
krsna consciousness, then society is well protected by the Lord, without doubt.

Dharma-pratipakñaù ("opponents of religious principles") refers not to a particular faith,

but to varëäçrama-dharma, the division of society, socially and spiritually, into four
varëas (brähmaëa, kñatriya, vaiçya and çüdra) and four äçramas (brahmacarya, gåhastha,
vänaprastha and sannyäsa). To maintain proper social order and help the citizens
gradually progress toward the goal of life—namely spiritual understanding—the
principles of varëäçrama-dharma must be accepted. From this verse, Mahäräja
Priyavrata appears to have been so strict in maintaining this institution of varëäçrama-
dharma that anyone neglecting it would immediately flee from his presence as soon as
the King warned him by fighting or administering light punishment. Indeed, Mahäräja
Priyavrata would not have to fight, for simply because of his strong determination, they
dared not disobey the rules and regulations of varëäçrama-dharma. It is said that unless
human society is regulated by varëäçrama-dharma, it is no better than a bestial society of
cats and dogs. Mahäräja Priyavrata, therefore, strictly maintained varëäçrama-dharma by
his extraordinary, unparalleled prowess.SB5.1.29-P

The duty of the government and the kñatriyas is to see that the members of the
third class, the vaiçyas, who are neither brähmaëas nor kñatriyas, are thus
properly engaged. Kñatriyas are meant to protect human beings, whereas vaiçyas
are meant to protect useful animals, especially cows.SB 6.4.4

LEADER SAVE THE SOCIETY FROM GOING HELL BY NOT CREATING

SO MUCH FACTORY /WINE SHOP/BY MAKING ATMOIC BOMB
S.B 3.9.10 As described in the previous verse, people who have no taste for the
devotional service of the Lord are occupied in material engagements. Most of them
engage during the daytime in hard physical labor; their senses are engaged very
extensively in troublesome duties in the gigantic plants of heavy industrial enterprise.
The owners of such factories are engaged in finding a market for their industrial
products, and the laborers are engaged in extensive production involving huge
mechanical arrangements. "Factory" is another name for hell. At night, hellishly
engaged persons take advantage of wine and women to satisfy their tired senses,
but they are not even able to have sound sleep because their various mental
speculative plans constantly interrupt their sleep. Because they suffer from insomnia
sometimes they feel sleepy in the morning for lack of sufficient rest. By the arrangement
of supernatural power, even the great scientists and thinkers of the world suffer
frustration of their various plans and thus rot in the material world birth after birth. A
great scientist may make discoveries in atomic energy for the quick destruction of the
world and may be awarded the best prize in recognition of his service (or
disservice), but he also has to undergo the reactions of his work by rotating in the
cycle of repeated births and deaths under the superhuman law of material nature. All
these people who are against the principle of devotional service are destined to
rotate in this material world without fail.

GIVING PROTECTION TO WOMEN

SB-3.22.27----P----According to Manu-saàhitä, a woman is never independent. She must
remain the property of the father while she is not married, and she must remain the
property of the husband until she is elderly and has grown-up children of her own. In old
age, when the husband has taken sannyäsa and left home, she remains the property of
the sons. A woman is always dependent, either upon the father, husband or elderly sons.

ENCOURAGE VEDIC CULTURE

SB-3.20.28----P----It follows that any father and mother also be careful while begetting
children. The mental condition of a child depends upon the mental status of his parents
at the time he is conceived. According to the Vedic system, therefore, the
garbhädhäna-saàskära, or the ceremony for giving birth to a child, is observed.
Before begetting a child, one has to sanctify his perplexed mind. When the parents
engage their minds in the lotus feet of the Lord and in such a state the child is born,
naturally good devotee children come; when the society is full of such good
population, there is no trouble from demoniac mentalities.

SB-3.17.15----P----To check the increase of demoniac population, the Vedic civilization

enacted so many rules and regulations of social life, the most important of which is the
garbhädhäna process for begetting good children. In Bhagavad-gétä Arjuna informed
Kåñëa that if there is unwanted population (varëa-saìkara), the entire world will appear
to be hell. People are very anxious for peace in the world, but there are so many
unwanted children born without the benefit of the garbhädhäna ceremony, just like
the demons born from Diti. Diti was so lusty that she forced her husband to copulate at
a time which was inauspicious, and therefore the demons were born to create
disturbances. In having sex life to beget children, one observe the process for
begetting nice children; if each and every householder in every family observes the
Vedic system, then there are nice children, not demons, and automatically there is
peace in the world. If we do not follow regulations in life for social tranquillity, we
cannot expect peace. Rather, we will have to undergo the stringent reactions of natural
laws.

MISGUIDE IN THE NAME OF RELIGION IS WORST THAN NOT

PRACTICING ANY RELIGION BY LEADER
SB-3.9.10---P----A person in ignorance of the principles of religion who therefore does
nothing in the matter of religion is far better than a person who misguides others in the
name of religion without reference to the factual religious principles of devotional
service. Such so-called leaders of religion are sure to be condemned by Brahmä and
other great authorities.

PROTECT SOCIAL & SPRITUAL ORDERS

SB-3.21.54----P----It is the duty of a responsible king to protect the social and

spiritual orders in human society. The spiritual orders are divided into four äçramas—
brahmacarya, gåhastha, vänaprastha and sannyäsa—and the social orders, according to
work and qualification, are made up of the brähmaëas, the kñatriyas, the vaiçyas and the
çüdras. These social orders, according to the different grades of work and qualification,
are described in Bhagavad-gétä. Unfortunately, for want of proper protection by
responsible kings, the system of social and spiritual orders has now become a hereditary
caste system. But this is not the actual system. Human society means that society which
is making progress toward spiritual realization. The most advanced human society was
known as ärya; ärya refers to those who are advancing. So the question is, "Which
society is advancing?" Advancement does not mean creating material "necessities"
unnecessarily and thus wasting human energy in aggravation over so-called material
comforts. Real advancement is advancement toward spiritual realization, and the
community which acted toward this end was known as the Äryan civilization. The
intelligent men, the brähmaëas, as exemplified by Kardama Muni, were engaged in
advancing the spiritual cause, and kñatriyas like Emperor Sväyambhuva used to rule the
country and insure that all facilities for spiritual realization were nicely provided. It is
the duty of the king to travel all over the country and see that everything is in order.
Indian civilization on the basis of the four varëas and äçramas deteriorated because of
her dependency on foreigners, or those who did not follow the civilization of
varëäçrama. Thus the varëäçrama system has now been degraded into the caste system.

The institution of four varëas and four äçramas is confirmed herewith to be bhagavad-
racita, which means "designed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead." In Bhagavad-
gétä this is also confirmed: cätur-varëyaà mayä såñöam [Bg. 4.13]. The Lord says that
the institution of four varëas and four äçramas "is created by Me." Anything created by
the Lord cannot be closed or covered. The divisions of varëas and äçramas will
continue to exist, either in their original form or in degraded form, but because
they are created by the Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they cannot be
extinguished. They are like the sun, a creation of God, and therefore will remain. Either
covered by clouds or in a clear sky, the sun will continue to exist. Similarly, when the
varëäçrama system becomes degraded, it appears as a hereditary caste system, but
in every society there is an intelligent class of men, a martial class, a mercantile class
and a laborer class. When they are regulated for cooperation among communities
according to the Vedic principles, then there is peace and spiritual advancement. But
when there is hatred and malpractice and mutual mistrust in the caste system, the
whole system becomes degraded, and as stated herein, it creates a deplorable state.
At the present moment, the entire world is in this deplorable condition because of
giving rights to so many interests. This is due to the degradation of the four castes
of varëas and äçramas.

SB-3.21.50----P----It appears from many Vedic literatures, especially histories like

Çrémad-Bhägavatam and the puräëas, that the pious kings of old used to tour their
kingdoms in order to give protection to the pious citizens and to chastise or kill the
impious. Sometimes they used to kill animals in the forests to practice the killing art
because without such practice they would not be able to kill the undesirable elements.
Kñatriyas are allowed to commit violence in that way because violence for a good
purpose is a part of their duty. Here two terms are clearly mentioned: vadhäya, "for the
purpose of killing," and asatäm, "those who are undesirable." The protecting energy of
the king is supposed to be the energy of the Supreme Lord. In Bhagavad-gétä (4.8) the
Lord says, pariträëäya sädhünäà vinäçäya ca duñkåtäm. The Lord descends to give
protection to the pious and to kill the demons. The potency, therefore, to give protection
to the pious and kill the demons or undesirables is directly an energy from the Supreme
Lord, and the king or the chief executive of the state is supposed to possess such energy.
In this age it is very difficult to find such a head of state who is expert in killing the
undesirables. Modern heads of state sit very nicely in their palaces and try without
reason to kill innocent persons.

PRESENT DAY SCENARIO

SB-3.15.24----P---- Instead of trying to understand the spiritual abode and the spiritual
activities of the Lord, people are more interested in politics and economic developments.
They hold many conventions, meetings and discussions to solve the problems of this
worldly situation, where they can remain for only a few years, but they are not interested
in understanding the spiritual situation of the Vaikuëöha world. If they are at all
fortunate, they become interested in going back home, back to Godhead, but unless they
understand the spiritual world, they rot in this material darkness continuously.

SB-3.31.32----P---- In modern civilization, the so-called social, national and government

leaders mislead people more and more, under the bodily conception of life, with the
result that all the leaders, with their followers, are gliding down to hellish
conditions birth after birth. An example is given in Çrémad-Bhägavatam. Andhä
yathändhair upanéyamänäù: [SB- 7.5.31] when a blind man leads several other blind
men, the result is that all of them fall down in a ditch. This is actually happening.
There are many leaders to lead the ignorant public, but because every one of them
is bewildered by the bodily conception of life, there is no peace and prosperity in
human society. The conclusion is that as long as one is fixed in the bodily conception,
he has to suffer birth and death.

SB-3.21.55----P---- Because the scientific division of four varëas and four äçramas is
now being extinguished, the entire world is being governed by unwanted men who
have no training in religion, politics or social order, and it is in a very deplorable
condition. In the institution of four varëas and four äçramas there are regular training
principles for the different classes of men. Just as, in the modern age, there is a necessity
for engineers, medical practitioners and electricians, and they are properly trained in
different scientific institutions, similarly, in former times, the higher social orders,
namely the intelligent class (the brähmaëas), the ruling class (the kñatriyas) and the
mercantile class (the vaiçyas), were properly trained. Bhagavad-gétä describes the duties
of the brähmaëas, kñatriyas, vaiçyas and çüdras. When there is no such training, one
simply claims that because he is born in a brähmaëa or kñatriya family, he is
therefore a brähmaëa or a kñatriya, even though he performs the duties of a
SHUDRA. Such undue claims to being a higher-caste man make the system of scientific
social orders into a caste system, completely degrading the original system. Thus society
is now in chaos, and there is neither peace nor prosperity. It is clearly stated herein that
unless there is the vigilance of a strong king, impious, unqualified men will claim a
certain status in society, and that will make the social order perish.

SB-.3.6.31------P------The word puruña is significant in this verse because the kñatriyas

are expected to represent the puruña Lord in giving protection to the prajäs, or all those
who are born in the land and water. Protection is therefore meant for both man and
the animals. in modern society the prajäs are not protected from the hands of
thieves and miscreants. The modern democratic state, which has no kñatriyas, is a
government of the vaiçyas and çüdras, and not of brähmaëas and kñatriyas as
formerly. Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira and his grandson, Mahäräja Parékñit, were typical
kñatriya kings, for they gave protection to all men and animals. When the
personification of Kali attempted to kill a cow, Mahäräja Parékñit at once prepared
himself to kill the miscreant, and the personification of Kali was banished from his
kingdom. That is the sign of puruña, or the representative of Lord Viñëu. According to
Vedic civilization, a qualified kñatriya monarch is given the respect of the Lord because
he represents the Lord by giving protection to the prajäs. Modern elected presidents
cannot even give protection from theft cases, and therefore one has to take
protection from an insurance company. The problems of modern human society
are due to the lack of qualified brähmaëas and kñatriyas and the overinfluence of
the vaiçyas and çüdras by so-called general franchise.

Accept post for service not for sense gratification

Thus it is evident that the kings and executive heads of government in the Vedic age
never accepted their positions for sense enjoyment. Such exalted kings, who were
known as räjarñis, ruled only to maintain and protect the kingdom for the welfare of the
citizens. SB 5.1.22-P

Behind every successful men there is women

To maintain such a life of strict vigilance, one needs encouragement from his wife. In
the varëäçrama-dharma system, certain classes, such as the brähmaëas and sannyäsés, do
not need encouragement from the opposite sex. Kñatriyas and gåhasthas, however,
actually need the encouragement of their wives in order to execute their duties. Indeed, a
gåhastha or kñatriya cannot properly execute his responsibilities without the association
of his wife. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu personally admitted that a gåhastha must live
with a wife. Kñatriyas were even allowed to have many wives to encourage them in
discharging the duties of government. The association of a good wife is necessary in a
life of karma and political affairs. To execute his duties properly, therefore, Mahäräja
Priyavrata took advantage of his good wife Barhiñmaté, who was always very expert in
pleasing her great husband by properly dressing herself, smiling, and exhibiting her
feminine bodily features. Queen Barhiñmaté always kept Mahäräja Priyavrata very
encouraged, and thus he executed his governmental duty very properly. In this verse iva
has twice been used to indicate that Mahäräja Priyavrata acted exactly like a henpecked
husband and thereby seemed to have lost his sense of human responsibility. Actually,
however, he was fully conscious of his position as a spirit soul, although he seemingly
behaved like an acquiescent karmé husband.SB5.1.29-P

Ultimate Goal -Freedom from the boundage of BODD

This is the way of Vedic life. One must stop the process of repeated birth and death and
return home, back to Godhead. The words tan-mahimänam aväpa are significant in this
regard. Çréla Çrédhara Svämé says that mahimä means liberation in this life. We should
act in such a way in this life that after giving up this body, we will become liberated
from the bondage of repeated birth and death. This is called jévan-mukti.SB5.4.5

It is significant in this verse that the government and the natural guardian, the father,
should educate subordinates and raise them to Kåñëa consciousness. Devoid of Kåñëa
consciousness, every living being suffers in this cycle of birth and death perpetually. To
relieve them from this bondage and enable them to become blissful and happy, bhakti-
yoga should be taught. A foolish civilization neglects to teach people how to rise to the
platform of bhakti-yoga. Without Kåñëa consciousness a person is no better than a hog
or dog.SB5.5.1

gurur na sa syät sva-jano na sa syät

pitä na sa syäj janané na sä syät
daivaà na tat syän na patiç ca sa syän
na mocayed yaù samupeta-måtyum
"One who cannot deliver his dependents from the path of repeated birth and death
should never become a spiritual master, a relative, a father, a husband, a mother or a
worshipable demigod.

PURPORT

There are many spiritual masters, but Åñabhadeva advises that one should not become a
spiritual master if he is unable to save his disciple from the path of birth and death.
Unless one is a pure devotee of Kåñëa, he cannot save himself from the path of repeated
birth and death. Tyaktvä dehaà punar janma naiti mäm eti so'rjuna [Bg. 4.9]. One can
stop birth and death only by returning home, back to Godhead. However, who can go
back to Godhead unless he understands the Supreme Lord in truth? Janma karma ca me
divyam evaà yo vetti tattvataù [Bg. 4.9].

We have many instances in history illustrating Åñabhadeva's instructions. Çukräcärya

was rejected by Bali Mahäräja due to his inability to save Bali Mahäräja from the path of
repeated birth and death. Çukräcärya was not a pure devotee, he was more or less
inclined to fruitive activity, and he objected when Bali Mahäräja promised to give
everything to Lord Viñëu. Actually one is supposed to give everything to the Lord
because everything belongs to the Lord. Consequently, the Supreme Lord advises in
Bhagavad-gétä (9.27):

yat karoñi yad açnäsi

yaj juhoñi dadäsi yat

yat tapasyasi kaunteya

tat kuruñva mad-arpaëam

"O son of Kunté, all that you do, all that you eat, all that you offer and give away, as
well as all austerities that you may perform, should be done as an offering unto Me."
This is bhakti. Unless one is devoted, he cannot give everything to the Supreme Lord.
Unless one can do so, he cannot become a spiritual master, husband, father or mother.
Similarly, the wives of the brähmaëas who were performing sacrifices gave up their
relatives just to satisfy Kåñëa. This is an example of a wife rejecting a husband who
cannot deliver her from the impending dangers of birth and death. Similarly, Prahläda
Mahäräja rejected his father, and Bharata Mahäräja rejected his mother (janané na sä
syät). The word daivam indicates a demigod or one who accepts worship from a
dependent. Ordinarily, the spiritual master, husband, father, mother or superior relative
accepts worship from an inferior relative, but here Åñabhadeva forbids this. First the
father, spiritual master or husband must be able to release the dependent from repeated
birth and death. If he cannot do this, he plunges himself into the ocean of reproachment
for his unlawful activities. Everyone should be very responsible and take charge of his
dependents just as a spiritual master takes charge of his disciple or a father takes charge
of his son. All these responsibilities cannot be discharged honestly unless one can save
the dependent from repeated birth and death.SB 5.5.18
Prime aim is the satisfaction of citizen
During the reign of Mahäräja Åñabhadeva, people were so well equipped that they did
not want to ask for anything. They were immensely supplied with all necessities for life
due to King Åñabhadeva's good government. Consequently everyone felt full
satisfaction and did not want anything. This is the perfection of government. If the
citizens are unhappy due to bad government, the heads of government are condemned.
During these democratic days, monarchy is disliked by the people, but here is an
example of how an emperor of the whole world kept all the citizens fully satisfied by
supplying the necessities of life and following the Vedic principles.SB5.4.18

Devotee leader in charge of the government affairs

The Supreme Lord was advising Bharata Mahäräja to be the chief ruler of the planet.
This is the real plan of the Supreme Lord. In the Battle of Kurukñetra, we find that Lord
Kåñëa wanted Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira to be the supreme emperor of this planet. He never
wanted Duryodhana to take the post. As stated in the previous verse, Lord Åñabhadeva's
heart is hådayaà yatra dharmaù. The characteristic dharma is also explained in
Bhagavad-gétä: surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead. To protect dharma
(pariträëäya sädhünäm [Bg. 4.8]), the Lord always wants the ruler of the earth to be a
devotee. Then everything goes on nicely for the benefit of everyone. As soon as a
demon rules the earth, everything becomes chaotic. At the present moment, the world is
inclined toward the democratic process, but the people in general are all contaminated
by the modes of passion and ignorance. Consequently they cannot select the right person
to head the government. The president is selected by the votes of ignorant çüdras;
therefore another çüdra is elected, and immediately the entire government becomes
polluted. If people strictly followed the principles of Bhagavad-gétä, they would elect a
person who is the Lord's devotee. Then automatically there would be good government.
Åñabhadeva therefore recommended Bharata Mahäräja as the emperor of this planet.
Serving a devotee means serving the Supreme Lord, for a devotee always represents the
Lord. When a devotee is in charge, the government is always congenial and beneficial
for everyone.SB 5.5.20

Co-operation between Brahmanas & Ksatriya lead to sucess

Learned scholars, brähmaëas, saintly persons and sages who were fully aware of the
Vedic purpose advised the royal order how to benefit the general masses, and by their
cooperation the general masses were benefited. Therefore everything was successful.
Mahäräja Rahügaëa attained this perfection of understanding the value of human life;
therefore he regretted his insulting words to Jaòa Bharata, and he immediately
descended from his palanquin and fell down at the lotus feet of Jaòa Bharata in order to
be excused and to hear from him further about the values of life known as brahma jijïäsä
(inquiry into the Absolute Truth). At the present moment, high government officials are
ignorant of the values of life, and when saintly persons endeavor to broadcast the Vedic
knowledge, the so-called executives do not offer their respectful obeisances but try to
obstruct the spiritual propaganda. Thus one can say that the former kingly government
was like heaven and that the present government is like hell.SB5.10.15

Duty of leader to make everyone KC

The duty of the king is to rule his citizens in such a way that they can become Kåñëa
conscious. This would be very beneficial for everyone. Unfortunately the king or
president engages people in sense gratification instead of the Lord's service, and such
activities are certainly not beneficial for anyone. King Rahügaëa tried to engage Jaòa
Bharata in carrying the palanquin, which is a form of sense gratification for the King.
However, if one is engaged as a palanquin carrier in the Lord's service, that is certainly
beneficial. In this godless civilization, if a president engages people somehow or other in
devotional service or the awakening of Kåñëa consciousness, he renders the very best
service to the citizens.SB.5.10.23

Leader should treat Citizen as their own children

The king, or in modern times the government, should act as the guardian of the citizens
by teaching them the proper goal of life. The human form of life is especially meant for
realization of one's self and one's relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead
because this cannot be realized in animal life. The duty of the government, therefore, is
to take charge of training all the citizens in such a way that by a gradual process they
will be elevated to the spiritual platform and will realize the self and his relationship
with God.SB.6.2.3-P

Follow the footsteps of Lineage

In a monarchy, a king with a prestigious position follows the great deeds of his
forefathers.SB6.4.11-P

Free from the proud/not attached to post

Although I am King of the demigods, who are situated in the mode of goodness, I was
proud of a little opulence and polluted by false ego. Under the circumstances, who in
this world would accept such riches at the risk of falling down? Alas! I condemn my
wealth and opulence.SB6.7.12-T

Give respect to all

Çréla Viçvanätha Cakravarté Öhäkura says in this regard that when a president or king is
sitting on his throne he does not need to show respect to everyone who comes within his
assembly but he must show respect to superiors like his spiritual master, brähmaëas and
Vaiñëavas. There are many examples of how he should act. When Lord Kåñëa was
sitting on His throne and Närada fortunately entered His assembly, even Lord Kåñëa
immediately stood up with His officers and ministers to offer respectful obeisances to
Närada. Närada knew that Kåñëa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and Kåñëa
knew that Närada was His devotee, but although Kåñëa is the Supreme Lord and Närada
is the Lord's devotee, the Lord observed the religious etiquette. Since Närada was a
brahmacäré, a brähmaëa and an exalted devotee, even Kåñëa, while acting as a king,
offered His respectful obeisances unto Närada. Such is the conduct visible in the Vedic
civilization. A civilization in which the people do not know how the representative of
Närada and Kåñëa should be respected, how society should be formed and how one
should advance in Kåñëa consciousness—a society concerned only with manufacturing
new cars and new skyscrapers every year and then breaking them to pieces and making
new ones—may be technologically advanced, but it is not a human civilization. A
human civilization is advanced when its people follow the cätur-varëya system, the
system of four orders of life. There must be ideal, first-class men to act as advisors,
second-class men to act as administrators, third-class men to produce food and protect
cows, and fourth-class men who obey the three higher classes of society. One who does
not follow the standard system of society should be considered a fifth-class man. A
society without Vedic laws and regulations will not be very helpful to humanity. As
stated in this verse, dharmaà te na paraà viduù: such a society does not know the aim of
life and the highest principle of religion.SB6.7.13

Leaders who have fallen into ignorance and who mislead people by directing them to the
path of destruction [as described in the previous verse] are, in effect, boarding a stone
boat, and so too are those who blindly follow them. A stone boat would be unable to
float and would sink in the water with its passengers. Similarly, those who mislead
people go to hell, and their followers go with them.SB6.7.14

TRANSLATION
Because of their firm determination to follow the instructions of Çukräcärya, his
disciples, the demons, are now unconcerned about the demigods. In fact, kings or others
who have determined faith in the mercy of brähmaëas, cows and the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, Kåñëa, and who always worship these three are always strong
in their position.
PURPORT
From the instructions of Lord Brahmä it is understood that everyone should very
faithfully worship the brähmaëas, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the cows.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is go-brähmaëa-hitäya ca: He is always very kind
to cows and brähmaëas. Therefore one who worships Govinda must satisfy Him by
worshiping the brähmaëas and cows. If a government worships the brähmaëas, the cows
and Kåñëa, Govinda, it is never defeated anywhere; otherwise it must always be
defeated and condemned everywhere. At the present moment, all over the world,
governments have no respect for brähmaëas, cows and Govinda, and consequently there
are chaotic conditions all over the world. In summary, although the demigods were very
powerful in material opulence, the demons defeated them in battle because the demigods
had behaved disrespectfully toward a brähmaëa, Båhaspati, who was their spiritual
master.
SB 6.7.24

Simply ruling the land cannot solve man's problems unless the leader has spiritual
capabilities. He must be like Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira, Parékñit Mahäräja or Rämacandra.
Then all the inhabitants of the land will be extremely happy.
SB 6.14.10