This is Sankirtana Das’s companion article to “2025 में आगे बढ़ना.” 

When speaking about the function of a Vedic monarchy, Srila Prabhupada explained, “The king is to see to the welfare of the citizens from all angles of social, political, economic and spiritual upliftment” (श्रीमद् भागवतम् 1.9.49 purport).

In that purport, Prabhupada goes on to give the example of the ideal king, Maharaja Yudhisthira: “monarchy under a trained king like Maharaja Yudhiṣṭhira is by far the most superior form of government, superior to modern republics or governments of the people, by the people. The mass of people, especially in this Age of Kali, are all born śūdras, basically lowborn, ill-trained, unfortunate, and badly associated. They themselves do not know the highest perfectional aim of life. Therefore, votes cast by them actually have no value, and thus persons elected by such irresponsible votes cannot be responsible representatives like Maharaja Yudhisthira.”

Elsewhere, Prabhupada explains, “If the people are Krishna (God) conscious, naturally the government will be Krishna conscious. And if you are fools and rascals, the government will be fools and rascals. Because government is the representative of the people…So if you make a revolution of this sankirtana movement, everyone chanting and dancing, the government will be changed immediately”  (Lecture in Hawaii, January 18, 1974).

Recently, certain influencers in the U.S. have been looking to steer the country in the direction of a monarchy. This idea is partially fueled by the observations of Curtis Yarvin, an intellectual and cultural commentator. Yarvin has become the darling of the exorbitantly wealthy who cherish his pronouncements. With the right monarch, it’s their gravy train to complete control.

In an interview in the New York Times (1/18/25), Yarvin explains that democracy is a failed system. He observes that the world is moving too fast and that our governing process is relatively slow and cumbersome.  Also, he says, Americans don’t worship the same gods, accept the same news sources, or have the same standards for education.

He states emphatically that no one thinks the U.S. government works well. He laments, “We need a government that is actually good and that actually works, and we don’t have one.”  He calls for a “greater openness of mind.” His conclusion is that a good government, like a good corporation, needs a good CEO to run it. Thus, the U.S. requires a monarchy because all the successful companies are “actually little monarchies.”

The problem with Yarvin’s analogy is that the position of CEO depends  upon performance and can certainly be removed by the Board members. So I don’t think Yarvin is proposing an absolute monarchy. And neither is the Vedic monarchy absolute, but functions with input from the brahmanas (the scholarly and priestly class) and vaisyas (the agricultural, business, and banker class).  The Vedic literatures provide accounts where cruel and corrupt monarchs were displaced, as well as untold instances of self-sacrificing and compassionate monarchs.

Of course, Yarvin’s contrivances can’t be compared to Prabhupada’s presentation of a comprehensive Vedic society that includes the welfare of all citizens. The Vedic varnashrama system doesn’t just work for the rich, but it has to work for everyone.

One of the essential ideas in Prabhupada’s above quote is for leaders to be properly trained. He mentions this on numerous occasions. Every activity and occupation needs training. Doctors, lawyers, teachers, and the police are all trained.  Obviously, to become a good leader or monarch one has to receive good training. However, there is no formal training for elected officials. Even to vote, one should be trained to understand the qualities of a good leader and understand the intentions of the Founding Fathers of the U.S. in creating a system of checks and balances for their new government.

In 1787, after the U.S. Constitution was formulated, someone asked Benjamin Franklin, one of the founders, “What have we got?  A republic or a monarchy?”  And Franklin replied, “A republic if you can keep it.”  The existence of the government they created was not written in stone. The delicate balance in government has to be well cared for, well-oiled, and maintained. But where in the political arena is this much-needed stewardship? Over the years, the focus has been more and more on material wealth and power, with the elected officials from both parties negligent in their real duties.  And now we are witnessing a call for something new and uncertain.

In his purport to श्रीमद् भागवतम् 6.7.14, Prabhupada cautioned, “Leaders who have fallen into ignorance and who mislead people by directing them to the path of destruction are, in effect, boarding a stone boat, and so too are those who blindly follow them. A stone boat would be unable to float and would sink in the water with its passengers. Similarly, those who mislead people go to hell, and their followers go with them.” Here, it is understood that leaders, whether elected or monarchic, have to accept the karmic reactions for their misdeeds, the misdeeds of their subordinates, and even the population in general.

In the ancient Mahabharata, when Yudhisthira was established as the monarch in the new city/state of Indraprastha, the sage Narada Muni came there to offer some advice. Narada was thoroughly conversant in both material and spiritual sciences, and he wanted to impart to the new king the essential teachings of effective leadership. Here are a few of the one hundred points Narada made:

“May you always follow the teachings of the Dharma and never transgress those moral principles for the sake of mundane pleasures. May you surround yourself with persons who are trustworthy and uncorruptible. Take guidance from persons who are educated in many branches of learning.  May you never be cruel or impose harsh punishments. Surround yourself with commanders and ministers who are competent, intelligent, brave, charitable, and who conduct themselves with integrity.  Do not allow anyone to get in a position of authority who is not honest, who is without morals, who is greedy, or who cannot control their anger or passions.  Reward those who are honest, humble, and knowledgeable. Be equal to one and all, and allow everyone to speak without fear. Show all respect to the virtuous Brahmanas.  Govern wisely, free from untruthfulness and anger, taking good counsel from various sources, and never undertake any course without considering the outcome.”

Yudhisthira was a true servant-leader. As a student, his teacher requested that he go into the city and find someone who was lower than him. Yudhisthira came back empty-handed. He saw everyone as superior and making a more valuable contribution to society. He understood that to govern responsibly and effectively, a leader must understand, live by, and promote the principles of Dharma, the core principles of all religions and spiritual paths.

A leader must understand the science of the soul, as taught in the भागवद गीता. We are not the body we inhabit, but we are the eternal, spirit soul that gives consciousness to the body. Indeed, the life and consciousness of all living beings are ignited by an eternal, individual spirit soul. A monarch or leader must be responsible enough to understand that his position and the treasury are not for his own personal pleasures. These funds are to be used to protect the kingdom and provide well-being to all the citizens of the land, including the animals, birds, and trees.

King Yudhisthira gives up his throne to be absorbed in spiritual life.

Historically, America and the world are at an impasse. In a letter of November 18, 1972, Srila Prabhupada  wanted the devotees to “deliver the world from its suicide course.” In a talk in Mumbai on April 25, 1977,  Srila Prabhupada reflected, “So many people are suffering for want of good leaders throughout the whole world.”  Prabhupada calls for leaders to be trained properly. This is imperative for a well-functioning government.

Actually, we are all leaders in one way or other, and we can all have a positive influence. We want prosperous, peaceful, and successful lives for ourselves and our children. And at the same time, we can be broad-minded and all-inclusive. The Sri Isopanishad tells us that nature’s bounty is beyond limit and can comfortably sustain everyone – provided we don’t use nature’s resources for selfish and greedy ends.

Ultimately, it’s not a matter of a monarchy or democracy. What’s essential is trained and qualified leadership. As Yarvin, I would also call for a “greater openness of mind.” The Hare Krishna/Vaishnava tradition is directly in the line of the sacred, eternal Dharma teachings which help us understand our relationship to Sri Krishna, the Supreme Lord residing within our hearts.  Srila Prabhupada has written numerous books on these teachings, which can be studied and applied independently.  The Krishna devotees themselves can also make a valuable contribution to the greater society. Under the present circumstances, devotees must step forward to help guide the various leaders, local or national, in their duty to this great nation or, in fact, any nation. This can make all the difference.

About the Author
Sankirtana Das, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, is a longtime resident of the New Vrindaban Community and an award-winning author and storyteller. He is also a recipient of a WV Artist Fellowship Award & Grant. His most recent book, Hanuman’s Quest, is acclaimed by scholars and has received a Storytelling World Resource Honors. He also sits on the board of directors for the Vedic Friends Association. At New Vrindaban, Sankirtana offers sacred storytelling and scheduled in-depth tours. For more info about his work, visit mahabharata-project.com.

व्यक्त किए गए विचार आवश्यक रूप से इस्कॉन या इस्कॉन समाचार के विचारों और विश्वासों को प्रतिबिंबित नहीं करते हैं।