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Bhagavad-gita As It Is
\nBG Chapters 1 – 6
\nIf a man gets some ministership in the government by worshiping a political leader, he considers that he has achieved a great boon.
\nBG 4.12, Purport:<\/p>\n
The boons of the demigods are material and temporary. Both the material worlds and their inhabitants, including the demigods and their worshipers, are bubbles in the cosmic ocean. In this world, however, human society is mad after temporary things such as the material opulence of possessing land, family and enjoyable paraphernalia. To achieve such temporary things, people worship the demigods or powerful men in human society. If a man gets some ministership in the government by worshiping a political leader, he considers that he has achieved a great boon. All of them are therefore kowtowing to the so-called leaders or “big guns” in order to achieve temporary boons, and they indeed achieve such things. Such foolish men are not interested in K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness for the permanent solution to the hardships of material existence. They are all after sense enjoyment, and to get a little facility for sense enjoyment they are attracted to worship empowered living entities known as demigods. This verse indicates that people are rarely interested in K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness. They are mostly interested in material enjoyment, and therefore they worship some powerful living entity.
\nSrimad-Bhagavatam
\nSB Canto 1
\nIn politics, social service, altruism, philanthropy and ultimately in religion or even in salvation, the very same tint of sense gratification is ever-increasingly predominant. In the political field the leaders of men fight with one another to fulfill their personal sense gratification.
\nSB 1.2.10, Purport:<\/p>\n
The completely bewildered material civilization is wrongly directed towards the fulfillment of desires in sense gratification. In such civilization, in all spheres of life, the ultimate end is sense gratification. In politics, social service, altruism, philanthropy and ultimately in religion or even in salvation, the very same tint of sense gratification is ever-increasingly predominant. 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. But the Bh\u0101gavatam says that one should not live for sense gratification. One should satisfy the senses only insomuch as required for self-preservation, and not for sense gratification.
\nAny man from any social status becomes a well-known man in human society within a very short time if he is simply glorified truly or falsely in the daily newspapers. Sometimes political leaders of a particular party are also advertised by newspaper propaganda, and by such a method of glorification an insignificant man becomes an important man\u2014within no time.
\nSB 1.2.14, Purport:<\/p>\n
If realization of the Absolute Truth is the ultimate aim of life, it must be carried out by all means. In any one of the above-mentioned castes and orders of life, the four processes, namely glorifying, hearing, remembering and worshiping, are general occupations. Without these principles of life, no one can exist. Activities of the living being involve engagements in these four different principles of life. Especially in modern society, all activities are more or less dependent on hearing and glorifying. Any man from any social status becomes a well-known man in human society within a very short time if he is simply glorified truly or falsely in the daily newspapers. Sometimes political leaders of a particular party are also advertised by newspaper propaganda, and by such a method of glorification an insignificant man becomes an important man\u2014within no time. But such propaganda by false glorification of an unqualified person cannot bring about any good, either for the particular man or for the society. There may be some temporary reactions to such propaganda, but there are no permanent effects. Therefore such activities are a waste of time. The actual object of glorification is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has created everything manifested before us. We have broadly discussed this fact from the beginning of the “janm\u0101dy asya” (SB 1.1.1) \u015bloka of this Bh\u0101gavatam. The tendency to glorify others or hear others must be turned to the real object of glorification-the Supreme Being. And that will bring happiness.
\nFormerly war was never declared by the whims of selfish political leaders; it was carried out on religious principles free from all vices. Violence carried out on religious principles is far superior to so-called nonviolence.
\nSB 1.7.36, Purport:<\/p>\n
An enemy who does not resist is never killed by a warrior who knows the principles of religion. Formerly battles were fought on the principles of religion and not for the sake of sense gratification. If the enemy happened to be intoxicated, asleep, etc., as above mentioned, he was never to be killed. These are some of the codes of religious war. Formerly war was never declared by the whims of selfish political leaders; it was carried out on religious principles free from all vices. Violence carried out on religious principles is far superior to so-called nonviolence.
\nMah\u0101r\u0101ja Yudhi\u1e63\u1e6dhira was not a typically unenlightened political leader of modern democracy. Mah\u0101r\u0101ja Yudhi\u1e63\u1e6dhira was instructed by Bh\u012b\u1e63madeva and the infallible Lord also, and therefore he had full knowledge of everything in perfection.
\nSB 1.10.3, Purport:<\/p>\n
The modern English law of primogeniture, or the law of inheritance by the firstborn, was also prevalent in those days when Mah\u0101r\u0101ja Yudhi\u1e63\u1e6dhira ruled the earth and seas. In those days the King of Hastin\u0101pura (now part of New Delhi) was the emperor of the world, including the seas, up to the time of Mah\u0101r\u0101ja Par\u012bk\u1e63it, the grandson of Mah\u0101r\u0101ja Yudhi\u1e63\u1e6dhira. Mah\u0101r\u0101ja Yudhi\u1e63\u1e6dhira’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. Mah\u0101r\u0101ja Yudhi\u1e63\u1e6dhira was the ideal king or representative of Lord \u015ar\u012b K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a 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, S\u016brya, Varu\u1e47a and V\u0101yu are representative kings of different planets of the universe, and similarly Mah\u0101r\u0101ja Yudhi\u1e63\u1e6dhira was also one of them, ruling over the kingdom of the earth. Mah\u0101r\u0101ja Yudhi\u1e63\u1e6dhira was not a typically unenlightened political leader of modern democracy. Mah\u0101r\u0101ja Yudhi\u1e63\u1e6dhira was instructed by Bh\u012b\u1e63madeva and the infallible Lord also, and therefore he had full knowledge of everything in perfection.
\nSB Canto 2
\nThe Lord plays exactly like the social, political or religious leaders. Because such roles ultimately culminate in the discussion of topics of the Lord, all such preliminary topics are also transcendental. That is the way of spiritualizing the civic activities of human society.
\nSB 2.3.14, Purport:<\/p>\n
So Bhagavad-g\u012bt\u0101, although containing the high philosophy of the Vedic wisdom, is for the beginners in the transcendental science, and \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam is for graduates and postgraduates in the transcendental science. Therefore literatures like Mah\u0101bh\u0101rata, the, pur\u0101\u1e47as and similar other literatures which are full of the pastimes of the Lord, are all transcendental literatures, and they should be discussed with full confidence in the society of great devotees.<\/p>\n
The difficulty is that such literatures, when discussed by professional men, appear to be mundane literature like histories or epics because there are so many historical facts and figures. It is said here, therefore, that such literatures should be discussed in the assembly of devotees. Unless they are discussed by devotees, such literatures cannot be relished by the higher class of men. So the conclusion is that the Lord is not impersonal in the ultimate issue. He is the Supreme Person, and He has His different activities. He is the leader of all living entities, and He descends at His will and by His personal energy to reclaim the fallen souls. Thus He plays exactly like the social, political or religious leaders. Because such roles ultimately culminate in the discussion of topics of the Lord, all such preliminary topics are also transcendental. That is the way of spiritualizing the civic activities of human society.
\nSB Canto 4
\nMany great political leaders have tried to establish independence, but due to such so-called independence the people’s dependence has only increased.
\nSB 4.9.35, Purport:<\/p>\n
In this verse the word sv\u0101r\u0101jyam, which means “complete independence,” is very significant. A conditioned soul does not know what complete independence is. Complete independence means situation in one’s own constitutional position. The real independence of a living entity, who is part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is to remain always dependent on the Supreme Lord, just like a child who plays in complete independence, guided by his parents, who watch over him. The independence of the conditioned soul does not mean to fight with the obstacles offered by m\u0101y\u0101, but to surrender to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. In the material world, everyone is trying to become completely independent simply by fighting against the obstacles offered by m\u0101y\u0101. This is called the struggle for existence. Real independence is to be reinstated in the service of the Lord. Anyone who goes to the Vaiku\u1e47\u1e6dha planets or Goloka V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana planet is freely offering his service to the Lord. That is complete independence. Just contrary to this is material overlordship, which we wrongly take to be independence. Many great political leaders have tried to establish independence, but due to such so-called independence the people’s dependence has only increased. The living entity cannot be happy trying to be independent in the material world. One has to surrender, therefore, unto the lotus feet of the Lord and engage in his original, eternal service.
\nThe symptom of a qualified king or political leader is mentioned herein\u2014he must be very merciful and compassionate to the people and see to their prime interest, which is to become elevated devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
\nSB 4.21.50, Purport:<\/p>\n
The symptom of a qualified king or political leader is mentioned herein\u2014he must be very merciful and compassionate to the people and see to their prime interest, which is to become elevated devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Great souls are naturally inclined to do good to others, and a Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava especially is the most compassionate and merciful personality in society. Therefore we offer our respects to a Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava leader as follows:<\/p>\n
v\u0101\u00f1ch\u0101-kalpatarubhya\u015b ca
\n k\u1e5bp\u0101-sindhubhya eva ca
\n patit\u0101n\u0101\u1e41 p\u0101vanebhyo
\n vai\u1e63\u1e47avebhyo namo nama\u1e25 <\/p>\n
(I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava devotees of the Lord. They can fulfill the desires of everyone, just like desire trees, and they are full of compassion for the fallen souls.)
\nThe so-called political leaders are busy making plans to advance the material prosperity of their nation, but factually these political leaders only want an exalted position for themselves.
\nSB 4.24.66, Purport:<\/p>\n
Many aristocratic families were created by people in their extreme madness, but we can see that in the course of time those families and empires have all been destroyed. But still the foolish atheists do not accept the supreme authority of the Lord. Such foolish people unnecessarily concoct their own duties without referring to the supreme authority of the Lord. The so-called political leaders are busy making plans to advance the material prosperity of their nation, but factually these political leaders only want an exalted position for themselves. Due to their greed for material position, they falsely present themselves as leaders before the people and collect their votes, although they are completely under the grip of the laws of material nature. These are some of the faults of modern civilization. Without taking to God consciousness and accepting the authority of the Lord, the living entities become ultimately confused and frustrated in their planmaking attempts.
\nPolitical leaders do not like to leave their political posts, and they either have to be shot by an enemy or obliged to leave by the arrival of death.
\nSB 4.29.76-77, Purport:<\/p>\n
A living entity too much absorbed in material activity becomes very much attracted to the material body. Even at the point of death, he thinks of his present body and the relatives connected to it. Thus he remains fully absorbed in the bodily conception of life, so much so that even at the point of death he abhors leaving his present body. Sometimes it is found that a person on the verge of death remains in a coma for many days before giving up the body. This is common among so-called leaders and politicians who think that without their presence the entire country and all society will be in chaos. This is called m\u0101y\u0101. Political leaders do not like to leave their political posts, and they either have to be shot by an enemy or obliged to leave by the arrival of death. By superior arrangement a living entity is offered another body, but because of his attraction to the present body, he does not like to transfer himself to another body.
\nSB Canto 5
\nSB 5.13.15, Translation:<\/p>\n
There were and are many political and social heroes who have conquered enemies of equal power, yet due to their ignorance in believing that the land is theirs, they fight one another and lay down their lives in battle. They are not able to take up the spiritual path accepted by those in the renounced order. Although they are big heroes and political leaders, they cannot take to the path of spiritual realization.
\nBig political leaders might be able to conquer equally powerful political enemies, but unfortunately they cannot subdue their strong senses, the enemies that always accompany them.
\nSB 5.13.15, Purport:<\/p>\n
Big political leaders might be able to conquer equally powerful political enemies, but unfortunately they cannot subdue their strong senses, the enemies that always accompany them. Not being able to conquer these nearby enemies, they simply try to conquer other enemies, and ultimately they die in the struggle for existence. They do not take to the path of spiritual realization or become sanny\u0101s\u012bs. Sometimes these big leaders take up the guise of a sanny\u0101s\u012b and call themselves mah\u0101tm\u0101s, but their only business is conquering their political enemies. Because they spoil their lives with the illusion of “this is my land and my family,” they cannot progress spiritually and attain liberation from the clutches of m\u0101y\u0101.
\nHere the meaning of husband or guardian is clearly explained, people want to become a husband, a guardian, a governor or a political leader without knowing the actual meaning of such a superior position.
\nSB 5.18.20, Purport:<\/p>\n
Here the meaning of husband or guardian is clearly explained, people want to become a husband, a guardian, a governor or a political leader without knowing the actual meaning of such a superior position. There are many people all over the world\u2014indeed, throughout the universe\u2014who claim for some time that they are husbands, political leaders or guardians, but in due course of time the Supreme Lord desires their removal from their posts, and their careers are immediately finished. Therefore those who are actually learned and advanced in spiritual life do not accept any leader, husband or maintainer other than the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
\nInstead of deceiving themselves and others by pretending to be all-powerful, all political leaders, husbands and guardians should spread the K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness movement so that everyone can learn how to surrender to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, the supreme husband.
\nSB 5.18.20, Purport:<\/p>\n
Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a personally states in Bhagavad-g\u012bt\u0101 (18.66), aha\u1e41 tv\u0101\u1e41 sarva-p\u0101pebhyo mok\u1e63ayi\u1e63y\u0101mi: “I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions.” K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a is not afraid of anyone. On the contrary, everyone is afraid of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. Therefore He can actually give protection to a subordinate living entity. Since so-called leaders or dictators are completely under the control of material nature, they can never give complete protection to others, although they claim this ability due to false prestige. Na te vidu\u1e25 sv\u0101rtha-gati\u1e41 hi vi\u1e63\u1e47um: (SB 7.5.31) people do not know that real advancement in life consists of accepting the Supreme Personality of Godhead as one’s master. Instead of deceiving themselves and others by pretending to be all-powerful, all political leaders, husbands and guardians should spread the K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness movement so that everyone can learn how to surrender to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, the supreme husband.
\nSB 5.18.27, Translation:<\/p>\n
My Lord, from the great leaders of the universe, such as Lord Brahm\u0101 and other demigods, down to the political leaders of this world, all are envious of Your authority. Without Your help, however, they could neither separately nor concertedly maintain the innumerable living entities within the universe. You are actually the only maintainer of all human beings, of animals like cows and asses, and of plants, reptiles, birds, mountains and whatever else is visible within this material world.
\nSB Canto 7
\nThe educators, scholars and big political leaders worshiped by millions of people cannot understand the goal of life and take to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness, for they have not accepted a bona fide spiritual master and the Vedas.
\nSB 7.5.32, Purport:<\/p>\n
One may ask why highly educated persons do not take to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness. The reason is explained in this verse. Unless one takes shelter of a bona fide, fully K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a conscious spiritual master, there is no chance of understanding K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. The educators, scholars and big political leaders worshiped by millions of people cannot understand the goal of life and take to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness, for they have not accepted a bona fide spiritual master and the Vedas. Therefore in the Mu\u1e47\u1e0daka Upani\u1e63ad (3.2.3) it is said, n\u0101yam \u0101tm\u0101 pravacanena labhyo na medhay\u0101 na bahun\u0101 \u015brutena: one cannot become self-realized simply by having an academic education, by presenting lectures in an erudite way (pravacanena labhya\u1e25), or by being an intelligent scientist who discovers many wonderful things. One cannot understand K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a unless one is graced by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Only one who has surrendered to a pure devotee of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a and taken the dust of his lotus feet can understand K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a.
\nWe have seen important political leaders killed for a slight discrepancy in their behavior.
\nSB 7.6.19, Purport:<\/p>\n
Aj\u0101mila separated himself from the Supreme Personality of Godhead by performing many sinful activities and was condemned by Yamar\u0101ja to be very severely punished, but because at the time of death he chanted the name of N\u0101r\u0101ya\u1e47a, although he was calling not for the Supreme Lord N\u0101r\u0101ya\u1e47a but for his son named N\u0101r\u0101ya\u1e47a, he was saved from the hands of Yamar\u0101ja. Therefore, pleasing N\u0101r\u0101ya\u1e47a does not require as much endeavor as pleasing one’s family, community and nation. We have seen important political leaders killed for a slight discrepancy in their behavior. Therefore pleasing one’s society, family, community and nation is extremely difficult. Pleasing N\u0101r\u0101ya\u1e47a, however, is not at all difficult; it is very easy.
\nIn recent history we have seen many political leaders work hard for individual and collective economic development, but they have all failed.
\nSB 7.7.41, Purport:<\/p>\n
No one has ever achieved the results he desired from material activities. On the contrary, everyone has been frustrated again and again. Therefore one must not waste his time in such material activities for sensual pleasure, either in this life or in the next. So many nationalists, economists and other ambitious persons have tried for happiness, individually or collectively, but history proves that they have all been frustrated. In recent history we have seen many political leaders work hard for individual and collective economic development, but they have all failed. This is the law of nature, as clearly explained in the next verse.
\nSB Canto 9
\nSometimes in our practical experience we see that some political leader adhering to saty\u0101graha will not eat but will drink water.
\nSB 9.4.39-40, Purport:<\/p>\n
When Mah\u0101r\u0101ja Ambar\u012b\u1e63a, in his dilemma, consulted the br\u0101hma\u1e47as about whether he should break the fast or wait for Durv\u0101s\u0101 Muni, apparently they could not give a definite answer about what to do. A Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava, however, is the most intelligent personality. Therefore Mah\u0101r\u0101ja Ambar\u012b\u1e63a himself decided, in the presence of the br\u0101hma\u1e47as, that he would drink a little water, for this would confirm that the fast was broken but would not transgress the laws for receiving a br\u0101hma\u1e47a. In the Vedas it is said, apo ‘\u015bn\u0101ti tan naiv\u0101\u015bita\u1e41 naiv\u0101na\u015bitam. This Vedic injunction declares that the drinking of water may be accepted as eating or as not eating. Sometimes in our practical experience we see that some political leader adhering to saty\u0101graha will not eat but will drink water. Considering that drinking water would not be eating, Mah\u0101r\u0101ja Ambar\u012b\u1e63a decided to act in this way.
\nSB Canto 10.1 to 10.13
\nThe Lord’s purpose in maintaining this material world is to give everyone a chance to go back home, back to Godhead, but kings and political leaders unfortunately try to hinder the purpose of the Lord.
\nSB 10.2.1-2, Purport:<\/p>\n
The Lord’s purpose in maintaining this material world is to give everyone a chance to go back home, back to Godhead, but kings and political leaders unfortunately try to hinder the purpose of the Lord, and therefore the Lord appears, either personally or with His plenary portions, to set things right. It is therefore said:<\/p>\n
garbha\u1e41 sa\u00f1c\u0101rya rohi\u1e47y\u0101\u1e41
\n devaky\u0101 yogam\u0101yay\u0101
\n tasy\u0101\u1e25 kuk\u1e63i\u1e41 gata\u1e25 k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47o
\n dvit\u012byo vibudhai\u1e25 stuta\u1e25 <\/p>\n
“K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a appeared in the womb of Devak\u012b after transferring Baladeva to the womb of Rohi\u1e47\u012b by the power of Yogam\u0101y\u0101.” Yadubhi\u1e25 sa vyarudhyata. The kings of the Yadu dynasty were all devotees, but there were many powerful demons, such as \u015a\u0101lva, who began to persecute them. At that time, Jar\u0101sandha, who was Ka\u1e41sa’s father-in-law, was extremely powerful, and therefore Ka\u1e41sa took advantage of his protection and the help of the demons in persecuting the kings of the Yadu dynasty. The demons naturally appeared more powerful than the demigods, but ultimately, because of help received from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the demons were defeated and the demigods triumphant.
\nBy some arrangement of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, people are killed wholesale in different ways, by war, pestilence, famine and so on. At that time, even atheistic political leaders go to a church, mosque or temple for protection by God or gods and submissively say, “God willing.”
\nSB 10.4.3, Purport:<\/p>\n
When Arjuna inquired from K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a in His universal form, “Who are You?” the Lord presented Himself as k\u0101la, death personified to kill. By nature’s law, when there is an unwanted increase in population, k\u0101la appears, and by some arrangement of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, people are killed wholesale in different ways, by war, pestilence, famine and so on. At that time, even atheistic political leaders go to a church, mosque or temple for protection by God or gods and submissively say, “God willing.” Before that, they pay no attention to God, not caring to know God or His will, but when k\u0101la appears, they say, “God willing.” Death is but another feature of the supreme k\u0101la, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. At the time of death, the atheist must submit to this supreme k\u0101la, and then the Supreme Personality of Godhead takes away all his possessions (m\u1e5btyu\u1e25 sarva-hara\u015b c\u0101ham (BG 10.34)) and forces him to accept another body (tath\u0101 deh\u0101ntara-pr\u0101pti\u1e25 (BG 2.13)). This the atheists do not know, and if they do know, they neglect it so that they may go on with their normal life. The K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness movement is trying to teach them that although for a few years one may act as a great protector or great watchman, with the appearance of k\u0101la, death, one must take another body by the laws of nature.
\nSB Cantos 10.14 to 12 (Translations Only)
\nSB 12.3.8, Translation:<\/p>\n
“Political leaders challenge one another: ‘All this land is mine! It’s not yours, you fool!’ Thus they attack one another and die.”
\nSB 12.3.32, Translation:<\/p>\n
Cities will be dominated by thieves, the Vedas will be contaminated by speculative interpretations of atheists, political leaders will virtually consume the citizens, and the so-called priests and intellectuals will be devotees of their bellies and genitals.
\nSri Caitanya-caritamrta
\nCC Madhya-lila
\nThe people of India, were entranced by the political leaders. We preferred, therefore, to come to the West, following the order of our spiritual master, and by the grace of Lord Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu this movement is becoming successful.
\nCC Madhya 7.109, Purport:<\/p>\n
In Navadv\u012bpa all the learned scholars are followers of the sm\u1e5bti-\u015b\u0101stra, and Lord Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu did not attempt to convert them. Therefore the author has remarked that the spiritual potency Lord \u015ar\u012b Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu did not manifest at Navadv\u012bpa was by His grace manifested in South India. Thus everyone there became a Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava. By this it is to be understood that people are really interested in preaching in a favorable situation. If the candidates for conversion are too disturbing, a preacher may not attempt to spread K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness amongst them. It is better to go where the situation is more favorable. This K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness movement was first attempted in India, but the people of India, being absorbed in political thoughts, did not take to it. They were entranced by the political leaders. We preferred, therefore, to come to the West, following the order of our spiritual master, and by the grace of Lord Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu this movement is becoming successful.
\nPhilosophers, historians, literary men, public speakers and social and political leaders are sometimes accepted as mah\u0101janas.
\nCC Madhya 17.185, Purport:<\/p>\n
There are many yog\u012bs who want to control the senses, and for them Pata\u00f1jali \u1e5a\u1e63i is a mah\u0101jana. For the j\u00f1\u0101n\u012bs, the atheist Kapila, Vasi\u1e63\u1e6dha, Durv\u0101s\u0101, Datt\u0101treya and other impersonalist philosophers are mah\u0101janas. For the demons, Hira\u1e47y\u0101k\u1e63a, Hira\u1e47yaka\u015bipu, R\u0101va\u1e47a, R\u0101va\u1e47a’s son Meghan\u0101da, Jar\u0101sandha and others are accepted as mah\u0101janas. For materialistic anthropologists speculating on the evolution of the body, a person like Darwin is a mah\u0101jana. The scientists who are bewildered by K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a’s external energy have no relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, yet they are accepted by some as mah\u0101janas. Similarly, philosophers, historians, literary men, public speakers and social and political leaders are sometimes accepted as mah\u0101janas.
\nOther Books by Srila Prabhupada
\nRenunciation Through Wisdom
\nIt is strange but true that political leaders can never understand that the Absolute Truth cannot be impersonal or formless but must be the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
\nRenunciation Through Wisdom 4.4:<\/p>\n
It is strange but true that political leaders can never understand that the Absolute Truth cannot be impersonal or formless but must be the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The scriptures are filled with passages that describe incarnations such as the gigantic form of Lord Mah\u0101-Vi\u1e63\u1e47u lying on the Causal Ocean, but Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a is the source of Mah\u0101-Vi\u1e63\u1e47u. Still the demented political leaders cannot comprehend the truth. But if out of His mercy Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a wishes to bless such atheists, then their rocklike hearts will soften and they will see the two-handed form of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a playing His flute in V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana.
\nMessage of Godhead
\nEven the biggest political leaders have been heard to say that the hungry man or woman finds no meaning in God and religion.
\nMessage of Godhead Introduction:<\/p>\n
At the present moment, the word religion is being sacrificed on the altar of materialistic tendencies. The human race is more concerned now with subject matters related to eating, sleeping, defending, and gratifying the senses, much as are the lower animals. The general tendency is to avoid transcendental subject matters as far as possible or, in any case, not to go into the details. Even the biggest political leaders have been heard to say that the hungry man or woman finds no meaning in God and religion. People in general, under the leadership of such materialistic men, are gradually descending to the status of lower animals, devoid of all transcendental realization, knowing nothing beyond their material bodies and the material world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The so-called political leaders are busy making plans to advance the material prosperity of their nation, but factually these political leaders only want an exalted position for themselves. Due to their greed for material position, they falsely present themselves as leaders before the people and collect their votes, although they are completely under the grip of the laws of material nature. These are some of the faults of modern civilization. Without taking to God consciousness and accepting the authority of the Lord, the living entities become ultimately confused and frustrated in their planmaking attempts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34,2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25566","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-srila-prabhupada","category-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25566","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=25566"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25566\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":93288,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25566\/revisions\/93288"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=25566"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=25566"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=25566"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Hare](\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Sei9NTq2XZ0\/WtGpG8Df_cI\/AAAAAAAAjoU\/a2f6P9zoloUVyjGNfaTk-_ezZYq-JIb8wCHMYCw\/s0\/2018-04-14_10-02-10.jpg\")
By His Divine Grace A.C.B. Swami Prabhupada<\/strong><\/p>\n