Part 7 – Entering the arena in Australia

Hearing how Prabhupada’s American disciples entered the political arena to preach in Atlanta, two devotees in Australia, Sabhapati and Charu, were impressed.

Charu writes Prabhupada with a proposed plan to preach in the political arena in Australia. Srila Prabhupada writes an encouraging reply.

Your entering politics is good. You should make political propagation on the basis of reforming the whole human society. The leaders must be an ideal class of men, with ideal character, free from the four sinful activities: no meat-eating, no gambling, no illicit sex and no intoxications, as well as chanting. They should chant the names of God. This is essential for leaders. Leaders must be ideal men so others will follow them. So make propaganda on this basis. We are Krishna conscious candidates, so our political propaganda must be one hundred per cent Krishna conscious. [Letter to Charu - May 9, 1974]

Understanding the shameful state of affairs in modern society, Prabhupada constantly explains in his books, classes, and letters that the present materialistic civilization is misdirected. The leaders are simply misleading the citizens, and most people are blindly following. Prabhupada calls it “the blind leading the blind and both of them fall into the ditch.” Desire for personal sense gratification permeates every political decision and is the root cause of people’s endless suffering.

In his letters, Prabhupada clarifies that the duty of the leaders of society is to guide the citizens toward Krishna consciousness.