Misled by Foolish Leaders - The Blind Leading the Blind
A leader is meant to guide the citizens toward the ultimate goal of life. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda observes that modern leaders are "foolish" because they are completely unaware of this goal. Entangled in the temporary bodily concept of life, they lead the population into a godless existence. Citing the Vedic maxim andhā yathāndhair upanīyamānāḥ, Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the current global situation as one where the blind are leading the blind, resulting in confusion, darkness, and the misuse of the valuable human form of life.
Ignorance of the Goal
The fundamental defect of modern leadership is ignorance of the self and the Supreme. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that leaders do not know the real self-interest of the human being (na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇum). Instead, they attach importance to the temporary body and bodily relations, making appeals based on family, society, and country. Because their foundation is the misconception of "I and mine," their leadership is inherently flawed.
- They do not know what is the aim of life. Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum (SB 7.5.31). They do not know. They are foolish. Andha yathandhair. Their foolish leaders also misleading them.
- Foolish people attach more importance to the present temporary life, and thus the foolish leaders make appeals to the body and the bodily relations. The bodily relations extend not only to this body but also to the family members, society and country.
- Especially in this age, Kali-yuga, great leaders, politicians, philosophers and scientists are all engaged in foolish activities, thinking, "This is mine, and this is yours.
Keeping the People in Darkness
When leaders are blind to spiritual truth, the entire population suffers. Śrīla Prabhupāda states that because people are misled by foolish leaders, they are confused and kept in darkness. These leaders, engrossed in their own material assets and false prestige, often intentionally keep the masses in ignorance to maintain their positions of power, diverting them from the spiritual value of life.
- The foolish leaders, they are keeping us in darkness. Therefore Krsna personally comes. Whenever people are kept in darkness, that is called dharmasya glanih (BG 4.7).
- Our leaders are blind, foolish. They are leading us to misuse this valuable life of human form. This is our position. They are misleading us.
- They (the so-called leaders) want to keep in ignorance the mass of people so their foolish leadership may go on continually. That is everywhere.
Futility of Godless Plans
The result of this foolish leadership is a chaotic, godless civilization. Leaders devise endless plans for peace and prosperity, but because they exclude God—the proprietor of everything—these plans inevitably fail. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that despite material advancement, people remain hungry and dissatisfied because the leaders cannot address the spiritual needs of the soul.
- The foolish leaders of a godless civilization try to devise various plans to bring about peace and prosperity in the godless world under a patent trademark of materialism.
- In other words, the foolish leaders want to completely deny the existence of the Lord. In the name of secular state, such leaders are enacting various plans every year.
- At the present moment, because the leaders are foolish, blind, they have no spiritual knowledge, all the population of the world becomes godless.
Conclusion
The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement was started to rectify this dangerous situation. It offers an opportunity for everyone, including the so-called leaders, to become enlightened. By understanding the true aim of life, leaders can cease their "foolish activities" and guide society toward real welfare. Until then, the public must be educated to recognize that they are being misled by the blind.
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 Foolish Leaders. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.