Skandha-5. Chapter-2: The Activities of Maharaja Agnidhra - Slokam-1.

Skandha-5. 


Chapter-2:  The Activities of Maharaja Agnidhra -


Slokam-1.


Sri Sukadeva Maharishi continued: 


After his father, Maharaja Priyavrata, departed to follow the path of spiritual life
 by undergoing austerities, King Agnidhra completely obeyed his order. 
Strictly observing the principles of religion, he gave full protection to the inhabitants 
of Jambudvipa as if they were his own begotten sons.



Following the instruction of his father, Maharaja Priyavrata, Maharaja
Agnidhra ruled the inhabitants of Jambudvipa according to religious
principles. These principles are exactly contrary to the modern principles of
faithlessness. As clearly stated here, the King protected the citizens the way a
father protects his begotten children. How he ruled the citizens is also
described here—dharmaveksamanah, strictly according to religious principles.
It is the duty of the executive head of a state to see that the citizens strictly
follow religious principles. The Vedic religious principles begin with
varnasrama-dharma, the duties of the four varnas and four asramas. Dharma
refers to principles given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The first
principle of dharma, or religion, is to observe the duties of the four orders as
enjoined by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. According to people's
qualities and activities, society should be divided into brahmanas, kshatriyas,
vaisyas and sudras and then again into brahmacaris, grahasthas, vanaprasthas
and sannyasis. These are religious principles, and it is the duty of the head of
state to see that his citizens strictly follow them. He should not merely act
officially; he should be like a father who is always a well-wisher of his sons.
Such a father strictly observes whether his sons are performing their duties,
and sometimes he also punishes them.



Just contrary to the principles mentioned here, the presidents and chief
executives in the  Kali-yugam are simply tax collectors who do not care
 whether religious principles are observed. Indeed, the chief executives 
 the present day introduce all kinds of sinful activity, especially illicit sex, intoxication,
animal killing and gambling. These sinful activities are now very prominently
manifested in India. Although a hundred years ago these four principles of
sinful life were strictly prohibited in the families of India, they have now been
introduced into every Indian family; therefore they cannot follow religious
principles. In contrast to the principles of the kings of old, the modern state is
concerned only with propaganda for levying taxes and is no longer responsible
for the spiritual welfare of the citizens. The state is now callous to religious
principles.


Srimad Bhagavatam predicts that in Kali-yuga the government will
be entrusted with dasyu-dharma, which means the occupational duty of rogues
and thieves. Modern heads of state are rogues and thieves who plunder the
citizens instead of giving them protection. Rogues and thieves plunder without
regard for law, but in this age of Kali, as stated in Srimad Nhagavatam, the
lawmakers themselves plunder the citizens. The next prediction to be fulfilled,
which is already coming to pass, is that because of the sinful activities of the
citizens and the government, rain will become increasingly scarce. Gradually
there will be complete drought and no production of food grains. People will
be reduced to eating flesh and seeds, and many good, spiritually inclined
people will have to forsake their homes because they will be too harassed by
drought, taxation and famine. The Spiritual movement is the only
hope to save the world from such devastation. It is the most scientific and
authorized movement for the actual welfare of the whole human society.