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Thusday, January 14, 2009
Government leaders should study Bhagavad-gita.

Excerpt lecture on Bhagavad-gita 4.2, Bombay, Mar 22, 1974.

We are aspiring after rama-rajya [government modeled after that of Lord Rama]. Why rama-rajya? What is the difference between rama-rajya and this rajya? There is difference. Rama-rajya means responsible government. Even during the time of Lord Ramachandra, one brahmana's son died. So he went to the king to challenge that "What kind of king you are that in the presence of the father the son is dying?" This is responsible government. Responsible government means that a son cannot die before the presence of father. In the Maharaja Yudhishthira's time also, there was no anxiety, adhibhautika, adhidaivika, adhyatmika. These are stated in the shastra. They were so free, so, I mean to say, carefree. There was no care, no anxiety. Everyone was happy. You'll find in the Bhagavatam. As soon as there was enemy attack in the Dvaraka city, immediately the kings, royal family, Krishna's family, Pradyumna, His son, and others, immediately went out of the city and combated with the enemies. This was the system. People were very carefree. No care, no anxiety. That is the duty of the government. And how to keep the citizens carefree? That you require authorized instruction. That instruction is Bhagavad-gita. So it is the duty of the government, the government officers, the head of the government: they should learn Bhagavad-gita. Here it is said, evam parampara-praptam imam rajarshayo viduh [Bg. 4.2]. The rajahs, the kings, the government, they understood. Therefore the kingdom was so peaceful, without any cares for the citizens. The citizens were also trained up very nicely, brahmana, kshatriya, vaishya, shudra. Everyone is employed. It is the duty of the government to see that everyone is engaged. Otherwise, idle brain will manufacture devil's brain. They will manufacture so many things, and there will be chaos. In every country nowadays, all over the world, there is so much unemployment. Why there... Why one should be unemployed? He must be trained up in such a way that he's employed, he's engaged. This is the duty. So if you understand Bhagavad-gita, then you'll be able to train your students, your citizens, your subordinates, how to remain engaged. Just like in our Krishna consciousness society, we are simply after the people, whether he is engaged or not. There must be engagement. If one remains idle, then it will be devil's workshop. Immediately maya will dictate, "Do this, do this nonsense, do that nonsense, do that nonsense."

So it is the duty of the brahmana, it is the duty of the father, it is the duty of the public leader, it is the duty of the government to see that everyone is engaged, everyone is employed. As a brahmana, he must be engaged in studying Vedic literature for instructing others. That is brahmana's business. And kshatriya's business is to give protection. Just like Krishna was playing as a kshatriya in Dvaraka. As soon as there is some attack, immediately whole family goes to fight—Krishna, Balarama, Pradyumna. You have seen in the Bhagavata. Kshatriya's business is to give protection, and vaishya's business is to give protection to the cows. As kshatriya's business is to give protection to the citizens, human being, similarly, vaishya's business is to give protection to the cows, not to send them to the slaughterhouse—to see the cows are very well-fed, they are fatty, strong, that they must be given food, sufficient food.

So because they do not read Bhagavad-gita, they do not know how to maintain the whole society, therefore there is now chaos. Therefore it is needed. The rajahs, the kings, or the government—they must study Bhagavad-gita. Then it will be nice. And rishayah. Rishayah means great saintly persons, the brahmanas. They should give counsel to the government men. But who is consulting the saintly persons? Just like we are trying to preach this Bhagavad-gita. We are trying to give the essence of knowledge. Satatam kirtayanto mam yatantash cha dridha-vratah [Bg. 9.14]. Mahatma. The symptoms of mahatma is that he is always engaged in chanting the glories of the Lord. Satatam kirtayanto mam [Bg. 9.14]. The Bhagavad-gita says that chatur-vidha bhajante mam: "Four classes of men comes to worship Me." ... So the devotees are engaged in seva, in service of the Lord.

...And now we are accused of creating nuisance, because we are engaged in bhajana [worship of the Lord]. If we are engaged in drinking wine and playing cards with some prostitute, that is very advanced. That is very advanced society. He's peacefully drinking and playing cards with prostitute. He's advanced. And because he's chanting Hare Krishna, he's creating nuisance. This is the government. Therefore the first teaching of Bhagavad-gita should be taken by the persons who are going to be elected in the government service. The public should be aware of this. If somebody comes to canvass for votes, you should first inquire, "Whether you have read Bhagavad-gita? Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi showed Bhagavad-gita. Why should you not? Do you know what is Bhagavad-gita? Then I shall give you vote. Otherwise get out."

Rajarshayo viduh [saintly leader]. This is required now, if you want to be saved from the crisis that is coming very gradually. Crisis means there will be... Now in black market you can get things, means eatables, rice, wheat. But if you don't take to Bhagavad-gita, there will be no more even if you pay black price. That time is coming. There will be no more available. There will be no milk. There will be no more sugar, sugar. There will be no more rice. There will be no more wheat. No more fruits. Then you have to eat meat. Oh, beef shop. Then that will go on. Then human shop also. Gradually come. You have to eat the human being also. Carnivores. So it is therefore a great necessity, that rajarshayo viduh. Those who are government men, they must study Bhagavad-gita. Otherwise don't give them vote.

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