By Jambavan Das
Jambavan Das is a Sanskrit translator and expert in Gaudiya Vaishnava theology. He is a public speaker and has been a missionary and active member with ISKCON for more than 15 years. He is also a professional financial advisor. He is presently working on a translation of the Vishnu Purana.
Although possessing the noble-minded purpose of promoting Egalitarianism, the economic system of Communism would fail to bring about equality among men in any nation in which it was implemented. The reason for this shortcoming on the part of Communism is due to its inability to abolish greed from the hearts of men. The only way by which greed can be eradicated is by providing men with an inner sense of fulfillment. This can be achieved only when men of all social classes recognize the true proprietor of all resources-God-and serve His interests.
Nearly a century ago in Russia, the oppressed found solace in the words of Karl Marx. These words were not simply the theoretical musings of a philosopher, these were words which heard the cries of the downtrodden-carrying with them the hope of a greater tomorrow, if only the powerless would band together and take hold of their destiny. Moved by this call for action, the weak rose up to topple their oppressors-opening for them a door to a greater tomorrow. Their victory offered them a future filled with the promise of equality and opportunity, a future that otherwise would have only offered subjugation and tyranny. However, as fate would have it, this was not to be. The new government that emerged after the October Revolution was ironically not to be the source of liberation and freedom for its people. Rather, this revolution would become the instrument of incarceration and oppression for the very people who gave it life. So it was that a great horror lodged itself in the hearts of the people of that nation. In tearing down their oppressors, the Russian peasants and workers had only replaced them with a power even crueler than the last. This power, which had once held the promise of prosperity for the common good, would now only offer destitution as it crushed the hearts of the meek with its iron fist, divesting them of not only their most basic God-given rights as humans-but even their God Himself!
Over the next half a century, the tragic scenario which had transpired in the aftermath of the October Revolution would be repeated again and again all throughout the world, as one nation after another fell to a Communist regime. By the end of the century, over two dozen countries on several different continents would swear allegiance to Karl Marx’s manifesto. The Communist revolutions within these countries would lay waste to dozens of economies, needlessly taking the lives of thousands of people, and robbing millions of their basic human rights. All of this was to take place on the basis of spreading a “classless” society, where the tenants of equality and freedom would take the shape of a government that would promote the greater good for all. Yet history showed us that nothing could be further from the truth.
Upon examination, one cannot help but marvel at such a devastating chain of events and wonder with amazement as to how such a laudable doctrine could give rise to such misfortune. It goes without saying that we would question the efficacy and practicality of such a system of government. Yet in all fairness, the form of government known as “Communism” never took hold within any country on this planet. While it is true that a semblance of such an ideology, swearing allegiance to the precepts of Karl Marx, may have dominated the economic and political policies of several nations over the past century, there has never been even a solitary country which could claim to have implemented the German philosopher’s creed in its pure form.
The reason for this is quite simple-greed. The inherent greed within the heart of man makes it impossible for him to ever truly institute the ideal of a “classless” society. Unless greed is purged from the heart, in the course of time one man or another will rise up to dominate and exploit another. After all, even though one may advocate the doctrine of egalitarianism with one’s lips, it has no meaning if it is not truly felt within one’s heart. Such an empty display of rhetoric will never bring about a beneficial change for society. The only thing that will change is one form of government for another, and with it the ascension of yet another oppressor. Before we once again enact this repulsive charade of so-called “revolution” at the expense of innocent lives, we should raise the question as to how we can factually change the hearts of men to bring about true peace and prosperity for society. This is a noble effort that is worth pursuing-a revolution in consciousness. For this is what will truly bring about harmony amongst all people.
Unfortunately, the doctrine of Communism cannot achieve this, for the ideology of dialectical materialism only pertains to the body and not the very essence of a man, which is the soul. It is only that which is spiritual that will be able to provide sustenance for the spirit of man and not the fulfillment of his material desires. Even if it was in our power to distribute the resources of this planet evenly to all human beings (and that is an impossible task for any form of government) it would never bring about inner peace. That sense of satisfaction must come from within, from our true being, not from the ephemeral pleasures of this world. This is evident throughout the whole of history, for in it we see that all of those who have fallen under the spell of such madness, endeavoring until their dying breath to satisfy their limitless desires, have found it impossible not to encroach upon the allotment of another for their own satisfaction. Thus, unrestrained greed has given rise to quarrel among people, clans, social classes, and nations, as they desperately struggle to fulfill their unlimited desires with the limited resources of this world.
Looking throughout all of history we can see that this economic conflict has been an ongoing reality for human society since the dawn of time-people engaged in a bitter struggle over scant resources-although they may disguise their conflicts as being religious, moral, etc. We are fools to think that in our limited capacity as human beings we will be able to suddenly institute a form of government that is going to end this struggle. The only thing we as individuals have the power to change is ourselves. By each of us reconnecting with the Supreme Spirit and finding sustenance in Him, we will experience a deep joy that will lead to the abatement of material desires and thus all human beings, regardless of class, creed, gender, nationality, or race, will be able to co-exist peacefully without the undue hostility that is the result of insatiated greed. This is what will truly bring about happiness for all mankind and not the futile endeavor to derive pleasure from the things of this world, for just as fire can never be satiated by any amount of fuel, greed can never be abated through the greatest of indulgences.
If all of us are actually sincere in our desire to bring about peace in human society then we must admit that all of the endeavors for amity among men, based on a material platform, have been complete failures. Sadly we can see that all of the political maneuverings amongst human beings, based on the false identification with the body, have been the cause of so much sorrow and grief, as one man fights with another, drawing allegiances to himself on account of his temporary bodily and mental designations. Such attempts at peace have only resulted in hostility and war. Is it not time to take a new approach, an approach that has as its basis a truly unifying and uplifting message in which all men can mutually benefit and will lead none to perish?
Let us abandon the fruitless political endeavors of the past and let us strive for the true form of Communism; one which recognizes the ultimate proprietor of all resources-God-not any temporary nation demarcated by drawing lines in sand. And let us all realize the true brotherhood of man based on our relationship with our eternal father, without concern for the impermanent characteristics of our material body. When this is factually done, not superficially, then the perpetual struggle for limited resources will come to an end as the bourgeoisie and the proletariat join hands in peace as they work together to serve the interest of the Supreme Lord, perfectly satisfied by working according to the dictates of their natural proclivities and utilizing their inherent skills. This will be the true birth of peace and prosperity, and the death of revolution and destitution
Nice article. Currently, we are seeing a Marxist takeover attempt in the United States, with the “redistibution of wealth” advocated by the Democratic party. We must understand the consequences of this Marxist philosophy, because if it is implemented, devotees will find it more difficult to propagate Krishna Consciousness. We know that Srila Prabhupada warned us about the dangers of this atheistic philosophy. He gave us the example of the Comrade offering bread outside the church, where innocent people were convinced that the communist ideal was better than their church. From the beginning of Kali Yuga, with the fall of the Brahmin society, the inevitable downward spiral has begun. Now that modern society has done away with the Ksatrias and Brahmin societies, the Vaishya community has taken the reins, subverting the proper role of the Government, and giving rise to huge mega-businesses. Without the proper guidance of the Brahmins and control by the Ksatriyas, the government by the Vaishyas has gone awry. Rampant speculation on Wall Street, removal of banking restrictions by Congress, armies of lobbyists for big business, and other events have now played into the hands of the Communist elements. People are being led to believe that Government willl provide everything the people need, from cradle to grave. For the ignorant, poorly educated underclass, such promise of unending care is certainly a comforting idea. But, as you have pointed out, no government yet devised has every been able to provide such a utopia. Only a newly minted band of corrupt leaders will emerge to further frustrate the people. There is only way to stop the inevitable march of socialism (Marxism, Communism, whatever you may call it), and that is propagation of the Varnashrama system and Krishna Consciousness, Hari Nama and distribution of the Vedic literatures and Prasadam. Devotees need to understand the urgent need for vigorous preaching to defeat this onslaught of Communism.
Devotees were doing quite well in communist countries. I know this from a firsthand experience in Poland.
No need to worry about communism – it died on it’s own, killed by the Time. We simply need to worry about our own qualifications, so that we will present Krsna Consciousness properly, in a way that actually attracts people, as opposed to making people worried
Jambavan das nicely summarizes Srila Prabhupad’s conception in the last paragraph of his writing. Certainly, there is much fault that can be found with capitalism as well. It is a perfect system for the lust, anger and greed to be expressed. But, the conception of either system, whether capitalism or communism, as expressed by Jambavan at the end of his writing is that Krishna is the true Proprietor. Srila Prabhupad very simply used to use the example that any qualifications or opulence are like so many zeros. You need to have a 1 before the zeros for them to be of any value.
Srila Prabhupad’s preaching mission arose when there was a good deal of the world under communist rule. India was also very much aligned with Russia at that time, so communism was popular. In a country with one billion poor people and uneven distribution of wealth, there is certainly likely to be popularity amongst the poor in economic promises of distribution of wealth to the poor. Nietzche in the 19th. century commented that most revolutions resulted in worsened conditions after the revolution. Not always the case, though, as many countries, including the US, had revolutions to drive out the colonialists, Britain in that situation in 1776. But, Nietzche used the French term, ‘resentment’, to characterize the driving force for revolution, and called most revolutionaries ‘dissatisfied shudras’. Interesting…. Pusta Krishna das
Please accept my obeisances and excuse my offenses.
In reading above a political cliche about redistribution of wealth in the USA, I am reminded how Srila Prabhupada used to preach how we were in favor of “spiritual communism.” Krsna Book chapter 20 entitled “Description of Autumn” has very interesting sections regarding good government and this particular quote stands out for me whenever I see political commentary in this vein:
When the Vedic followers, the brahmanas, inspire rich men like kings and members of the wealthy mercantile community to give charity in the performance of great sacrifices, the distribution of such wealth is also nectarean. The four sections of human society, namely the brahmanas, the ksatriyas, the vaisyas and the sudras, are meant to live peacefully in a cooperative mood; this is possible when they are guided by expert Vedic brahmanas who perform sacrifices and distribute wealth equally.
“distribute wealth equally”
This is a key to good governance: the people see and appreciate that wealth provided by Krsna is given freely to all. It is even described in this chapter that King Dasaratha would even deplete his treasury in his distribution of charity.
Always remember the definition: Politics in the USA is “show business for ugly people.”
I think the selection Ranji Prabhu notes is key, and I’ll repost it here:
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“When the Vedic followers, the brahmanas, inspire rich men like kings and members of the wealthy mercantile community to give charity in the performance of great sacrifices, the distribution of such wealth is also nectarean. The four sections of human society, namely the brahmanas, the ksatriyas, the vaisyas and the sudras, are meant to live peacefully in a cooperative mood; this is possible when they are guided by expert Vedic brahmanas who perform sacrifices and distribute wealth equally.”
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This appears to suggest first you need brahmanas capable of inspiring the ruling elite – the ksyatris and wealthy vaisyas – to give in charity for the performance of sacrifice. Prabhupada notes such brahmanas are expert followers of the Vedic tradition, and subsequently expert distributors of wealth.
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It seems we can institute all sorts of material systems for securing a just society, but without actual self realized brahmanas possessing the latent ability to inspire and offer pragmatic guidance, such systems will turn into hollow shelled arrangements that eventually disappoint. Likely, the hearts of the brahmanas to whom society would look for guidance, would not be enamored by the desire to exploit the material energy.
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Until that component is secure, we might be wasting our time.