A Critique of Modern Politicians
In the eyes of Vedic wisdom, the quality of a nation's leadership determines the happiness of its citizens. Śrīla Prabhupāda contrasts the "modern politician" with the ideal Vedic monarch, revealing a stark decline in administrative competence and spiritual vision. Modern politicians are described as leaders of a "godless civilization," attempting to build a utopia without the central pillar of God consciousness. Consequently, despite their flowery language and diplomatic conferences, they preside over a society full of anxiety, unable to provide true protection or peace.
Godless Utopia
The fundamental flaw of modern politics is the attempt to separate governance from divinity. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that politicians want to establish the "kingdom of Rāma" (a perfect state) without Rāma (God) Himself. This is a contradiction. A civilization based on such illusion inevitably leads to lamentation. Modern leaders are always full of anxiety because their godless structures "may be crushed at any moment."
- A godless civilization, such as that sponsored by the modern politicians, is always full of anxieties because it may be crushed at any moment.
- Although they (modern politicians) have banished the idea of God consciousness, they still expect to establish the kingdom of Rama. Such a proposal is rejected by devotees.
Inability to Protect
In the Vedic system, the king was a representative of God because he provided complete protection to the prajās (citizens). Śrīla Prabhupāda critiques modern elected officials for their inability to offer even basic security. While they may hold the title of President, they often cannot protect citizens from simple theft, let alone the calamities of birth, death, old age, and disease. They are described as puppets without real kingly power, or even worse, as tax collectors who give nothing in return.
- According to Vedic civilization, a qualified ksatriya monarch is given the respect of the Lord because he represents the Lord by giving protection to the prajas. Modern elected presidents cannot even give protection from theft cases.
- In modern politics the post of monarch has been abolished, and the president is not held responsible for the comforts of the citizens.
Attachment to Power
A defining characteristic of the modern politician is an inability to let go. Unlike the great King Yudhiṣṭhira, who voluntarily retired to the forest to prepare for the next life, modern politicians cling to their posts until their last breath. This attachment indicates a lack of knowledge about ātma-tattva (the science of the soul). They are busy with "dollars and cents" and their own remuneration, posing as dhīras (sober men) while actually being adhīras (disturbed men).
- Modern politicians do not wish to retire from active life, even if they are old enough, but Yudhisthira Maharaja, as an ideal king, voluntarily retired from active administrative life to prepare himself for the next life.
- Modern politicians who pose themselves as dhiras are actually adhiras, and one cannot expect perfect knowledge from them. They are simply busy seeing to their own remuneration in dollars and cents.
Distorting Truth
To maintain their position, modern politicians often resort to distorting spiritual truths. Śrīla Prabhupāda condemns the trend of politicians interpreting the Bhagavad-gītā as fictitious to support their own secular or non-violent agendas. By stressing karma (hard labor) over bhakti (devotion), they mislead the population. They work hard "like hogs and dogs" and encourage the citizens to do the same, ignoring the higher purpose of human life.
- It has become especially fashionable for modern scholars and politicians to interpret Bhagavad-gita as if it were something fictitious, and by their wrong interpretations they are spoiling their own careers and the careers of others.
- Krsna said, bhaktya mam abhijanati. Never said that "I can be understood by yogic process or by karma, by jnana." The modern politicians, they stress on karma because they want to work hard like hogs and dogs.
Conclusion
The solution to the world's political crisis is not a change of government, but a change of heart. Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that the mass of people are tools in the hands of these leaders. If the leaders were to become conversant with Vedic administrative knowledge and take direction from saintly persons, the entire atmosphere of the world could change. Until then, modern politics remains a field of "friendship and hostility," where conferences of peace are held amidst the manufacturing of lethal weapons.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Modern Politicians. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.
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