The Superexcellent Power of Krsna 329
unhappy.” Although in modern politics the post of monarch is abolished,
the president is not held responsible for the comforts of the citizens. In
this age of Kali, the executive head of a state somehow or other gets
votes and is elected to an exalted post, but the condition of the citizens
continues to be full of anxiety, distress, unhappiness, and dissatisfaction.

The brahmana’s second child was also born dead, and the third also. He
had nine children, and each of them was born dead, and each time he
came to the gate of the palace to accuse the King. When the brahmana came
to accuse the King of Dvaraka for the ninth time, Arjuna happened to be
present with Krsna. On hearing that a brahmana was accusing the King of
not properly protecting him, Arjuna became inquisitive and approached
the brahmana. He said, ““My dear brahmana, why do you say that there
are no proper ksatriyas to protect the citizens of your country? Is there
not even someone who can pretend to be a ksatriya, who can carry a bow
and arrow at least to make a show of protection? Do you think that all
the royal personalities in this country simply engage in performing sacrifices
with the brahmanas but have no chivalrous power?” Thus Arjuna indicated
that ksatriyas should not sit back comfortably and engage only in
performing Vedic rituals. Rather, they must be very chivalrous in protect-
ing the citizens. Brahmanas, being engaged in spiritual activities, are not
expected to do anything which requires physical endeavor. Therefore,
they need to be: protected by the ksatriyas so that they will not be
disturbed in the execution of their higher occupational duties.

“If the braéhmanas feel unwanted separation from their wives and
children,” Arjuna continued, “and the ksatriya kings do not take care of
them, then such ksatriyas are to be considered no more than stage
players. In dramatical performances in the theater, an actor may play
the part of a king, but no one expects any benefits from such a make-
believe king. Similarly, if the king or the executive head of a state cannot
give protection to the head of the social structure, he is considered merely
a bluffer. Such executive heads simply live for their own livelihood while
occupying exalted posts as chiefs of state. My lord, I promise that I shall
give protection to your children, and if I am unable to do so, then I shall
enter into blazing fire so that the sinful contamination which has infected
me will be counteracted.”

Upon hearing Arjuna speak in this way, the brahmana replied, “My dear
Arjuna, Lord Balarama is present, but He could not give protection to my
children. Lord Krsna is also present, but He also could not give them
protection. There are also many other heroes, such as Pradyumna and
Aniruddha, carrying bows and arrows, but they could not protect my
children.” The brahmana directly hinted that Arjuna could not do that
