submitted by Parvati Devi Dasi
Election Day USA
“Because of the importance of the Krishna consciousness movement, people should be Krishna conscious and should not vote for anyone who is not Krishna conscious. Then there will be actual peace and prosperity in the state. When a vaisnava sees mismanagement in the government, he feels great compassion in his heart and tries his best to purify the situation by spreading the Hare Krishna movement.” (Purport to Bhag. 6.2.3)
“We don’t very much like this so-called democracy. What is the value of this democracy? All fools and rascals. They vote for another fool and rascal and he becomes prime minister, or this or that. That is not good for the people. We are not for this so-called democracy because they are not trained.”
(Lecture in London, 24 July 1973)
“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, “Have you have read Bhagavad-gita? Mahatma Gandhi read Bhagavad-gita. Why shouldn’t you? Do you know what is Bhagavad-gita? If so, then I will give you my vote. Otherwise, get out.”… It is a great necessity that government men must study Bhagavad-gita. Otherwise, don’t give them vote.”
(Lecture in Bombay, 22 March 1974)
Devotee: Some of our devotees should run for office.
Prabhupada: No. If you can make the people Krishna conscious, then everything will come automatically. If they vote for a Krishna conscious person to be president and prime minister, then everything will be saved. So that means you have to create Krishna conscious voters. Then everything will be right. That should be one of the aims of the Krishna consciousness movement. The government is still under the control of the public. If the public becomes Krishna conscious then naturally the government will be Krishna conscious. But that is up to the public.
(Lecture in Bombay, 6 November 1970)
“Educate the people. “Don’t vote for the rascals. Just try to understand who is the real man, who is the real leader.”
(Morning walk conversation in Los Angeles, 11 December 1973)
Interviewer: Do you think most of the Hare Krishna members will participate in the election in November? Do you think they will register and vote?
Prabhupada: Personally I never give votes.
Interviewer: Will they follow your example and not vote?
Prabhupada: I do not know, but our principle is that I vote for this man or that man if there is some spiritual benefit. That is our point.
(Interview with the religion editor of the Associated Press in New York, 16 July 1976)
“I have never given vote. Since we have got this sva-raj, Indian independence, as soon as the vote question comes up, I go away. I think, “Why shall I give this nonsense person my vote? None of them are liked by me.” So I avoid it. I don’t believe in it.”
(Room Conversation in Bombay, 8 January 1977)
Srila Prabhupada’s quotes may be surprisingly radical and uncompromising for those who are less familiar with his works As He Is. Srila Prabhupada did not want a compromised recognition and entrance into the old boys’ clubs of society. He wished to solidly establish exclusive Krsna culture as the best culture for peace and happiness for the whole universe.
Imagine if we can inject the vaccine of Krsna consciousness into the consciousness of the “99%” worldwide ? It is possible. Some are ready to experience the blissful joy and awakening of harinama kirtana; and the service done is of real importance to the whole world. Krsna will definitely recognize quickly any devotees who do sankirtana at the various gatherings for O.W.S. etc .
Seeing the sankirtana videos of the prabhus chanting at the street gatherings, one can see the bliss of such service. This is the nectar for which we have all been hankering.
Thank you and obeisances to Mother Parvati DD acbssp, of Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON, for sharing her inspiring research work with us here.
Jay Prabhupada! Thank you for all these quotes Mata!
Power to the Krsna Conscious people!
Preaching is the essence!