Bhakti Vaibhav

Open book essay for Canto One – Chapters 14 to 19

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Essay topic Public Leaders must follow the four regulative principles

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Srimad Bhagavatam is a living experiential literature that presents various concerns leading us to the
ultimate goal of existence which is to reach the supreme destination. The lotus feet of Lord Krishna. My
humble endeavour is to present this essay relating to the section where Suta Goswami is explaining to
the sages about the five places of residence that King Parikshit gives to Kali to reside.

Prelude

We have heard of licentious presidents of large democracies in the past and current laden with claims of
lecherous behaviours. We also have seen how presidents of a country live in high end luxury while their
citizens and the country suffers and rots without basic necessities. Today’s societies are ripe with such
blatant leaders who lead but towards a disastrous end of agony and despair and they flee the country
when situation worsens. What to speak about their habits of speaking the truth, which is preposterous
and never factual.
In this paper I will be presenting on how important it is for leaders to be an epitome of an example of
character by adhering to the regulative principles. This will help the society/country to thrive and for its
citizens to proceed towards true inner advancement of bliss and happiness apart from enjoying satisfying
material lives.

Peek into the past

To be able to speak on the topic related to leaders, I would like to first present one of the oldest
historically surviving societies (although not in the purest form today), The Vedic Society of land of
Bharata. The structure and functioning of such societies become apparent when we peruse through the
historical literature and history of those times which successfully have been passed down in an oral
tradition. These literatures unanimously declare that the society was very structured and was called
Varnasrama and the whole purpose of a society was to gradually uplift the citizens from the goal of
economic progress or immediate sense gratification (Preyaḥ) towards spiritual goal which is the ultimate
benefit (Śreyaḥ).

These literatures are also filled with historical facts of successful societies and prominent leaders. One
such example is King Prthu. It is mentioned that the leaders were called Naradevata(earthly gods) who
would go great lengths to nurture their subjects’ (Prajah) wellbeing so that they can remain focussed on
their main purpose of spiritual seeking while growing through the daily grind of life. Similarly these
literatures also give us a picturesque view of what was the role played by the citizens towards the society
and their kings. (SB 4.16.5 – 7). These kings were actually transcendentalists who had the desire for
Sreyah and also had the capacity to lead the masses towards Sreyah.
 Governing principles

Two things governed the execution of pretty much everything in the society which are relevant even
today. They are Spiritual Master (Guru) and Holy Scriptures (Shastra). The Varnasrama based society was
classified into four broad sections of population based on their innate nature and work they perform. In
such ideal progressive society, spiritual teachers (Brahmanas) taught and demonstrated ways to live to
all other sections of the society, primarily to the rulers class of men (Or admin class, Kshatriyas). These
ruler classes of men governed their states under the able guidance of Brahmanas who in turn derived
wisdom from the scriptures. For a ruler to be able to be a student of wisdom, they needed to be rigid in
their discipline of daily affairs, both personal and social, which included even the codes of conduct for
recreation too.

Four pillars of progressive civilization

In such ideal societies the whole population would be based on principles of religion or Dharma. The
scriptures declare that there are four foundational pillars that sets a society towards spiritual progress.
They are Mercy, Austerity, Cleanliness and Truthfulness (MACT). The whole population in a country are
to be imbued with these principles including the king (or the elected leader) and his royal council.

Generally Austerity means accepting something which is uncomfortable for the body and the mind for a
spiritual cause. eg. Fasting for pleasing God (Krishna). Fasting that is not meant for self-realization but for
some ulterior motive is condemned (BG 17.5-6) and will not bear necessary fruit. The principle of
Cleanliness again means of both Body and the Mind. But the Mind will never be cleaned if it’s not
cleansed without glorifying the Supreme Lord. On the same lines are Mercy and Truthfulness. If one
becomes proud then the principle of Austerity will become spoiled, too much affection to opposite sex
will spoil cleanliness, too much addiction to intoxication, spoils Mercy and lying propaganda and gossip,
truthfulness is spoiled. Hence we can see how these principles are delicately intertwined for a society
intending a peaceful advancement amidst material chaos.

However the ultimate resolve of these principles were to establish the society as a God Centered
civilization, to please Krishna. If these principles are invoked keeping Krishna as the sole Goal, then there
will be peace and prosperity is what the history suggests and the scriptures unanimously claim.
 Four regulative principles of Freedom

Generally if we speak of restriction of some kind, people think that it is curtailing our freedom.
Restriction and freedom are often seen as opposite ends. But the scriptures say that regulation in a true
sense gives one real freedom. For example, there is regulation that one must not drink and drive for it
can be fatal to ones and others lives. Hence by following this regulation, one becomes free to drive and
also thrive without risking one’s own and other lives. So in a true sense the regulation make one free.

The four regulations are no intoxication, no gambling, no meat eating, no illicit sex and no hoarding of
Gold. A public leader who is intoxicated cannot become a student of wisdom nor can he understand the
instructions given by spiritual teachers. Hence he misleads himself and the society in this inebriated
state. Similarly if he is involved in Gambling, he may me untruthful and will set a incorrect example to the
citizens who will follow suit. Unrestricted and unauthorized meat eating by the leaders will ruin the
society and deprive it of Mercy making the population cruel and animalistic. And illicit relationships will
plague the society making it unclean both externally and in the mind to cripple it and finally destroy the
fabric of peace.
So the scriptures mentioned about the regulations in all these five to be able to retain the pillars of
Religiosity (Dharma). Hence regulation in all these five activities especially for the public leader is critical
for a progressive society destined towards spiritual freedom.

Animal society do not have regulation, nor do they yearn freedom always (due to their conditioning). If
one does not accept these Vedic principles, one is not considered as a human being or civilized person at
all and akin to be in the animal society. If we follow this system, we gradually raise to the platform of
Sreyaḥ else it is very hard for him to raise beyond mundane necessities of existence which the animals
easily obtain. These four regulative principles are the first principle of purification. Especially a Public
Leader must be a transcendentalist (Raja Rishi) who can apply these principles and purify himself.

Conclusion

The public leaders must, under the able guidance of the spiritually advanced spiritual teachers
(Brahmanas and Sannyasis) must take guidance, direction and adhere to these regulative principles. By
doing so, the pillars of Dharma or religiosity will be easily established. And by that all subjects will build
trust and follow in the leaders footsteps. Thence a society can attain real peace and progress towards
spiritual destinations while simultaneously thriving in the material realm. Or in other words, only seekers
who adhere to these regulative principles of freedom to please Krishna must be accepted in the position
of Public Leaders, for they are free from the constriction of the senses including the mind and only they
can lead the people towards Sreyah from Preyah.