Finding the Cure for Today’s Social Ills 191

Srila Prabhupada: Oh, yes. The ksatriyas ruled the government in Vedic
times. When there was a war, the king was the first to fight. Just like your
George Washington: he fought when there was a war. But what kind of
president is ruling now? When there is a war, he sits very securely and
telephones orders. He’s not fit to be president. When there is war, the
president should be the first to come forward and lead the battle.
BTG: But if man is small and imperfect, how can he execute God’s per-
fect orders for a perfect government?

Srila Prabhupada: Although you may be imperfect, because you are
carrying out my order, you’re becoming perfect. You have accepted me
as your leader, and I accept God as my leader. In this way society can be
governed perfectly.

BTG: So good government means first of all to accept the Supreme Being
as the real ruler of the government?

Srila Prabhupada: You cannot directly accept the Supreme Being. You
must accept the servants of the Supreme Being—the brahmanas or
Vaisnavas [devotees of the Lord] —as your guides. The government men
are ksatriyas—the second class. The ksatriyasshould take advice from the
brahmanas or Vaisnavas and make laws accordingly. The vaisyas should
carry out the ksatriyas’ orders in practice. And the stidras should work
under these three orders. Then society will be perfect.
