Servant Leadership

ServantServant LeadershipLeadership

So many people are suffering So many people are suffering for want of good leader for want of good leader

throughout the whole world. throughout the whole world.

Morning Talk -- April 25, 1977, BombayMorning Talk -- April 25, 1977, Bombay

Leader means authority. His Leader means authority. His instruction is followed, and instruction is followed, and actually it happens. That is actually it happens. That is

leader. leader.

December 16, 1973, Los AngelesDecember 16, 1973, Los Angeles

You can become perfect if you You can become perfect if you follow a perfect leader. follow a perfect leader.

That's all.That's all.

Morning Walk -- March 16, 1976, MayapuraMorning Walk -- March 16, 1976, Mayapura

Although we are imperfect, Although we are imperfect, because we are following the perfect, because we are following the perfect,

our proposition is perfect.our proposition is perfect.

Morning Walk -- December 12, 1973, Los AngelesMorning Walk -- December 12, 1973, Los Angeles

Qualified leaders. Qualified leaders. That is wanted.That is wanted.

Morning Walk -- January 7, 1974, Los AngelesMorning Walk -- January 7, 1974, Los Angeles

Leader means better qualified Leader means better qualified man to lead others. That is man to lead others. That is

leader. leader.


A leader means one that if A leader means one that if someone follows him, he's someone follows him, he's

benefited.benefited.

Morning Walk -- July 9, 1974, Los AngelesMorning Walk -- July 9, 1974, Los Angeles

Roles of a leaderRoles of a leader ExampleExample SupportSupport InspirationInspiration GuidanceGuidance TrainingTraining ChallengeChallenge ActionAction

EXAMPLEEXAMPLE

Everyone is trying to keep his Everyone is trying to keep his position by hook and crook. How position by hook and crook. How

he'll think of the people? How they he'll think of the people? How they will be happy? He is thinking of his will be happy? He is thinking of his

own happiness.own happiness.

Room Conversation with Dr. Theodore Kneupper -- Room Conversation with Dr. Theodore Kneupper -- November 6, 1976, VrndavanaNovember 6, 1976, Vrndavana

Our business is to raise ourselves to Our business is to raise ourselves to the highest status of life as preachers the highest status of life as preachers of Krsna's message, and one should of Krsna's message, and one should

behave himself rigidly, then he should behave himself rigidly, then he should instruct others. instruct others.

Letter to: Name withheld -- 17 December, 1972 Letter to: Name withheld -- 17 December, 1972

Two things: Be himself exemplary, Two things: Be himself exemplary, then teach others to be exemplary. then teach others to be exemplary.

Letter to: Name withheld -- 17 December, 1972Letter to: Name withheld -- 17 December, 1972

Only those who are above suspicion Only those who are above suspicion can judge others. One must himself act can judge others. One must himself act in such a way that he is always above in such a way that he is always above suspicion. Then he can judge, then he suspicion. Then he can judge, then he

can preach.can preach.


One who is not following himself, One who is not following himself, how he can instruct others?how he can instruct others?


Yad yad acarati sresthas tat tad Yad yad acarati sresthas tat tad evetaro janah [Bg. 3.21]. If the evetaro janah [Bg. 3.21]. If the

srestha, the leader, is ideal, then srestha, the leader, is ideal, then others will follow.others will follow.

Room Conversation with Mr. Tombe (M.L.A.) -- December 25, 1976, Room Conversation with Mr. Tombe (M.L.A.) -- December 25, 1976, BombayBombay

If the leader is not ideal, if he is not If the leader is not ideal, if he is not in the awareness of things, then in the awareness of things, then

people will be misguided.people will be misguided.


CriteriaCriteria TThe four leaders of the human he four leaders of the human

society, namely the sannyasis, the society, namely the sannyasis, the brahmana, the king and the public , the king and the public leader, must be tested crucially by leader, must be tested crucially by their character and qualification. their character and qualification. Before one can be accepted as a Before one can be accepted as a spiritual or material master of spiritual or material master of society, he must be tested by the society, he must be tested by the above-mentioned criteria of above-mentioned criteria of character.character. SB 1.17.41 SB 1.17.41

http://vedabase.net/b/brahmana

Our leaders must be very good. Our leaders must be very good.

Conversation on Train to Allahabad -- January 11, 1977, IndiaConversation on Train to Allahabad -- January 11, 1977, India

We must have a solid foundation of We must have a solid foundation of chanting and following the chanting and following the

regulative principles. regulative principles. Then one is fit to lead others.Then one is fit to lead others.

Letter to: Jagajivana: -- Vrindaban 6 September, 1974Letter to: Jagajivana: -- Vrindaban 6 September, 1974

He is leader. ... One who is He is leader. ... One who is perfectly following ... perfectly following ...

Room Conversation -- November 2, 1977, VrndavanaRoom Conversation -- November 2, 1977, Vrndavana

Leader means one who has Leader means one who has become first-class disciple. become first-class disciple.


To become leader is not very To become leader is not very difficult, provided one is difficult, provided one is prepared to follow the prepared to follow the

instructions of a bona fide guru.instructions of a bona fide guru.


Real leader means who does not commit Real leader means who does not commit mistake, who is not illusioned, who does not mistake, who is not illusioned, who does not

cheat and who has no imperfect senses, cheat and who has no imperfect senses, who has, or, other words, one who has got who has, or, other words, one who has got

perfect senses. So if you say, "How it is perfect senses. So if you say, "How it is possible for the conditioned soul?" "Yes, it is possible for the conditioned soul?" "Yes, it is

possible if you follow the perfect." possible if you follow the perfect."


Tamala Krsna: Srila Prabhupada, Tamala Krsna: Srila Prabhupada, what are the qualifications of a what are the qualifications of a

perfect leader?perfect leader?

Prabhupada: No mistake, no Prabhupada: No mistake, no illusion, no cheating, no illusion, no cheating, no

imperfection. imperfection.

Morning Walk -- March 16, 1976, MayapuraMorning Walk -- March 16, 1976, Mayapura

By becoming a servant of the By becoming a servant of the senses, one becomes a great senses, one becomes a great

material hero, and by becoming material hero, and by becoming master of the senses, he becomes master of the senses, he becomes

a gosvami, or spiritual hero.a gosvami, or spiritual hero.

SB 4.25.25 PSB 4.25.25 P

In the Srimad-Bhagavatam it is In the Srimad-Bhagavatam it is stated that when a woman comes stated that when a woman comes

to serve you, you must be very to serve you, you must be very careful, especially for sannyasis careful, especially for sannyasis

and brahmacaries.and brahmacaries.


SUPPORTSUPPORT

Politics means planning for one's Politics means planning for one's own happiness. That is politics. So own happiness. That is politics. So in our society there should be no in our society there should be no diplomacy, no politics. Everyone diplomacy, no politics. Everyone

should be eager how to do good to should be eager how to do good to others. That is Vaisnava. others. That is Vaisnava.

Morning Walk -- March 15, 1974, VrndavanaMorning Walk -- March 15, 1974, Vrndavana

Leader means he must... He's Leader means he must... He's always busy how to make you always busy how to make you

happy, how to make without any happy, how to make without any cares, anxiety.cares, anxiety.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.21 -- Hawaii, January 17, 1974Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.21 -- Hawaii, January 17, 1974

There must be some leader. But There must be some leader. But why not the supreme leader, who why not the supreme leader, who will never misguide you? He will will never misguide you? He will

give you actual path of happiness. give you actual path of happiness. Then you will become happy.Then you will become happy.

Bhagavad-gita 3.6-10 -- Los Angeles, December 23, 1968Bhagavad-gita 3.6-10 -- Los Angeles, December 23, 1968

Those who want to be leader of the Those who want to be leader of the society, they should be ideal society, they should be ideal

persons, they should be Krsna persons, they should be Krsna conscious person. Then the whole conscious person. Then the whole

world will be happy.world will be happy.

Bhagavad-gita 3.18-30 -- Los Angeles, December 30, 1968Bhagavad-gita 3.18-30 -- Los Angeles, December 30, 1968

Supreme leader, perfect leader, without any Supreme leader, perfect leader, without any mistake, without any illusion, without any mistake, without any illusion, without any cheating, and without any imperfection of cheating, and without any imperfection of

the senses. We have to take direction from the senses. We have to take direction from such a leader, then our life will be such a leader, then our life will be

successful.successful.

Bhagavad-gita 4.9 -- Bombay, March 29, 1974Bhagavad-gita 4.9 -- Bombay, March 29, 1974

Everyone must be a real leader, Everyone must be a real leader, then people will be happy. then people will be happy.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.15.29 -- Los Angeles, December 7, 1973Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.15.29 -- Los Angeles, December 7, 1973

The only opportunity of becoming The only opportunity of becoming happy is that you preach this Krsna happy is that you preach this Krsna

consciousness movement amongst the consciousness movement amongst the people, so if the people become people, so if the people become

educated in Krsna consciousness, and educated in Krsna consciousness, and if they decide that "We shall vote for if they decide that "We shall vote for

Krsna conscious leader," then there will Krsna conscious leader," then there will be happiness.be happiness.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.19 -- Los Angeles, June 15, 1972Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.19 -- Los Angeles, June 15, 1972

Everyone is trying to be happy. That Everyone is trying to be happy. That happiness is not possible, that peace is happiness is not possible, that peace is

not possible unless you have got a not possible unless you have got a leader or king like Bharata Maharaja, leader or king like Bharata Maharaja, after whose name this planet is called after whose name this planet is called Bharatavarsa, this Bharata Maharaja. Bharatavarsa, this Bharata Maharaja. So we have to find out such leader.So we have to find out such leader.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.5.29 -- Vrndavana, November 16, 1976Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.5.29 -- Vrndavana, November 16, 1976

We want to see everyone is happy. We want to see everyone is happy. That is our mission.That is our mission.

Interview -- July 20, 1972, ParisInterview -- July 20, 1972, Paris

Everyone will be happy if they take Everyone will be happy if they take to this movement. We want to see to this movement. We want to see that everyone is happy. That is our that everyone is happy. That is our

mission. mission.


We don't want to exploit others. We don't want to exploit others.


INSPIRATIONINSPIRATION

That is the business of leader: He That is the business of leader: He must be himself always must be himself always

enthusiastic and inspire others to enthusiastic and inspire others to be always enthusiastic. Then he is be always enthusiastic. Then he is

real leader.real leader.

Letter to: Trai -- Bombay December 27, 1972Letter to: Trai -- Bombay December 27, 1972

If under changing conditions I lose If under changing conditions I lose my enthusiasm, if I cannot endure my enthusiasm, if I cannot endure the difficulties of my duty, therefore the difficulties of my duty, therefore

I go away -- then how I can be I go away -- then how I can be leader?leader?

Letter to: Satsvarupa -- Vrindaban 5 November, 1972Letter to: Satsvarupa -- Vrindaban 5 November, 1972

Enthusiasm and patience, these Enthusiasm and patience, these things required.things required.


GUIDANCEGUIDANCE

Take the best, first-class, Take the best, first-class, perfect leader: Krsna. Then perfect leader: Krsna. Then

you'll be happy. Otherwise it is you'll be happy. Otherwise it is not possible. not possible.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.12.4 -- Bombay, April 15, 1976Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.12.4 -- Bombay, April 15, 1976

Here is Krsna, the perfect Here is Krsna, the perfect leader, and they're going this leader, and they're going this side, that leader, that leader, side, that leader, that leader,

that leader. Why?that leader. Why?

Morning Walk -- March 29, 1974, BombayMorning Walk -- March 29, 1974, Bombay

We are following Krsna. He does not commit We are following Krsna. He does not commit mistake, He is not illusioned, His senses are mistake, He is not illusioned, His senses are

not imperfect, and He does not cheat. not imperfect, and He does not cheat.


The perfect leader is there, His The perfect leader is there, His instruction is there, in all fields instruction is there, in all fields

of life, any field of life. And of life, any field of life. And ultimately spiritual realization.ultimately spiritual realization.

Morning Walk -- March 29, 1974, BombayMorning Walk -- March 29, 1974, Bombay

If you learn from Krsna you If you learn from Krsna you become perfect leader. But we become perfect leader. But we do not take Krsna's instruction. do not take Krsna's instruction. We manufacture our own ideas. We manufacture our own ideas.

Room Conversation with Mr. Tombe (M.L.A.) -- December 25, 1976, BombayRoom Conversation with Mr. Tombe (M.L.A.) -- December 25, 1976, Bombay

If the society is led by real, If the society is led by real, learned scholars, then it will be learned scholars, then it will be

nice. nice.


People will be happy when a trained People will be happy when a trained leader, whether a monarch or a leader, whether a monarch or a

dictator, takes control of the dictator, takes control of the government and rules the people government and rules the people

according to the standard regulations of according to the standard regulations of the authorized scriptures. the authorized scriptures.

SB 9.13.12 PSB 9.13.12 P

Now the Krsna consciousness Now the Krsna consciousness movement will provide them movement will provide them

with good leader if they take it with good leader if they take it seriously.seriously.

Letter to: Bhagavan -- Bombay 14 November, 1975Letter to: Bhagavan -- Bombay 14 November, 1975

The Westerners have good brains, The Westerners have good brains, but they do not have any but they do not have any

good leader. good leader.

Letter to: Bhagavan -- Bombay 14 November, 1975Letter to: Bhagavan -- Bombay 14 November, 1975

So far as being leader is concerned, So far as being leader is concerned, leader means spiritually not materially. leader means spiritually not materially.

This you should understand This you should understand very clearly. very clearly.


If spiritual potency and strength is If spiritual potency and strength is there, then material intelligence will there, then material intelligence will

automatically follow. automatically follow.


For the most part, the ordinary citizens For the most part, the ordinary citizens of the society are innocent enough, of the society are innocent enough,

they simply require good leaders and they simply require good leaders and everything can be rectified.everything can be rectified.

Letter to: Amarendra -- Los Angeles 12 June, 1972Letter to: Amarendra -- Los Angeles 12 June, 1972

Because we are taking direction from Because we are taking direction from imperfect leaders, cheater leaders, imperfect leaders, cheater leaders,

therefore we are meeting with so many therefore we are meeting with so many problems.problems.

Bhagavad-gita 4.9 -- Bombay, March 29, 1974Bhagavad-gita 4.9 -- Bombay, March 29, 1974

According to Vedic civilization, the According to Vedic civilization, the brahmanas guide the ksatriyas how to rule. brahmanas guide the ksatriyas how to rule. So our position is to reform the politicians. So our position is to reform the politicians.

We are not going to compete with them, we We are not going to compete with them, we have no business, neither we have time. But have no business, neither we have time. But

because people are suffering - we want because people are suffering - we want everyone to be happy - therefore we want to everyone to be happy - therefore we want to

reform these rascals. That is our goal.reform these rascals. That is our goal.


TRAININGTRAINING

You have pointed out that you want to You have pointed out that you want to train others to be leaders, because you train others to be leaders, because you have observed there is at present not have observed there is at present not

very many qualified leaders. very many qualified leaders. That is good proposal. That is good proposal.

Sudama -- Bombay 23 December, 1972Sudama -- Bombay 23 December, 1972

Find out some intelligent men from Find out some intelligent men from schools, colleges, and being always schools, colleges, and being always

very tolerant try to convince them very tolerant try to convince them gradually to utilize their intelligence and gradually to utilize their intelligence and

education in the service of Krishna. education in the service of Krishna.

Sudama -- Bombay 23 December, 1972Sudama -- Bombay 23 December, 1972

CHALLENGECHALLENGE

Fresh ChallengeFresh Challenge Our leaders shall be careful not to kill the spirit of Our leaders shall be careful not to kill the spirit of

enthusiastic service, which is individual and enthusiastic service, which is individual and spontaneous and voluntary. They should try spontaneous and voluntary. They should try always to generate some atmosphere of fresh always to generate some atmosphere of fresh challenge to the devotees, so that they will agree challenge to the devotees, so that they will agree enthusiastically to rise and meet it. That is the art enthusiastically to rise and meet it. That is the art of management: to draw out spontaneous loving of management: to draw out spontaneous loving spirit of sacrificing some energy for Krishna ... All spirit of sacrificing some energy for Krishna ... All of us should become expert managers and of us should become expert managers and preachers.preachers.

- Srila Prabhupada- Srila Prabhupada

ACTIONACTION

Simply ruling the land cannot solve Simply ruling the land cannot solve man's problems unless the leader has man's problems unless the leader has spiritual capabilities. He must be like spiritual capabilities. He must be like

Maharaja Yudhisthira, Pariksit Maharaja Yudhisthira, Pariksit Maharaja or Ramacandra. Then all the Maharaja or Ramacandra. Then all the inhabitants of the land will be extremely inhabitants of the land will be extremely

happy. happy.

SB 6.14.10 PSB 6.14.10 P

It is our great responsibility to become very It is our great responsibility to become very serious in the matter of executing Krishna serious in the matter of executing Krishna

consciousness, and if we are sincere and go consciousness, and if we are sincere and go on expanding this movement all over the on expanding this movement all over the

world, gradually we shall induce the leaders world, gradually we shall induce the leaders to accept our philosophy to accept our philosophy

more and more.more and more.

Letter to: Amarendra -- Los Angeles 12 June, 1972Letter to: Amarendra -- Los Angeles 12 June, 1972

Good leadership means you must Good leadership means you must learn how to lead people. learn how to lead people.


Why we select one leader? The leader Why we select one leader? The leader should be such a leader that he shall make should be such a leader that he shall make happy and prosperous persons who follow happy and prosperous persons who follow

him. That is the question him. That is the question

of leadership.of leadership.

Bhagavad-gita 4.11 -- New York, July 27, 1966Bhagavad-gita 4.11 -- New York, July 27, 1966

They are not leader; they are jackals. They are not leader; they are jackals. So jackals cannot anymore rule over. So jackals cannot anymore rule over. That should be our propaganda. Not That should be our propaganda. Not

only scientific, all political things, social only scientific, all political things, social things, everything. things, everything.

Morning Walk -- May 3, 1973, Los AngelesMorning Walk -- May 3, 1973, Los Angeles

They should be all kicked out. They They should be all kicked out. They should be replaced by Krsna should be replaced by Krsna

consciousness. Then people will be consciousness. Then people will be happy. This should be our program. happy. This should be our program.


Our, this propaganda means to Our, this propaganda means to make people happy. make people happy.


Because God has favored them, so many Because God has favored them, so many things. And this movement has been started things. And this movement has been started from America. I started this movement from from America. I started this movement from

New York. So it should be taken very New York. So it should be taken very seriously by the government. seriously by the government.


““You must find out a leader who is free You must find out a leader who is free from these sinful activities. Then you from these sinful activities. Then you will be happy. And you also give up. will be happy. And you also give up. Otherwise, how you will be able to Otherwise, how you will be able to

select such a leader?" This should be select such a leader?" This should be our real propaganda.our real propaganda.


Everyone should be expert. The leaders Everyone should be expert. The leaders must be expert and the worker must be must be expert and the worker must be

expert so that they may follow the instruction expert so that they may follow the instruction of the leader. If the leader says something of the leader. If the leader says something and the workers, "Hm, I shall consider it, and the workers, "Hm, I shall consider it,

later on," then how the leader will execute later on," then how the leader will execute his leadership? Both of them should be his leadership? Both of them should be cooperating and know that "We are all cooperating and know that "We are all

working for Krsna." working for Krsna."


Sarve sukhino bhavantu. This is Vedic Sarve sukhino bhavantu. This is Vedic civilization. "Let everyone be happy." civilization. "Let everyone be happy."

That is Vedic civilization. And the That is Vedic civilization. And the demonic civilization, they're: "Let demonic civilization, they're: "Let

everyone suffer; I become happy.“everyone suffer; I become happy.“


If he's planning something, that "I If he's planning something, that "I shall be leader," "I shall be doing shall be leader," "I shall be doing

something," that is not Vaisnavism.something," that is not Vaisnavism.


It is the duty of the leader, government, It is the duty of the leader, government, father, teacher, gurus, to see that the father, teacher, gurus, to see that the subordinates are very, very happy.subordinates are very, very happy.

Press Conference -- April 18, 1974, HyderabadPress Conference -- April 18, 1974, Hyderabad

It is the duty of the leaders of the people and It is the duty of the leaders of the people and the government to see that the citizens are the government to see that the citizens are perfectly happy in their occupational duties perfectly happy in their occupational duties

and they are advancing in spiritual and they are advancing in spiritual knowledge.knowledge.

Press Conference -- April 18, 1974, HyderabadPress Conference -- April 18, 1974, Hyderabad

Everyone should be employed. Everyone should be employed. Everyone should be engaged in Everyone should be engaged in some service. That should be some service. That should be the policy of the government. the policy of the government.

Room Conversation with Richard Webster, chairman, Room Conversation with Richard Webster, chairman, Societa Filosofica Italiana -- May 24, 1974, RomeSocieta Filosofica Italiana -- May 24, 1974, Rome

Everyone should be happy, Everyone should be happy, without any anxiety. That is without any anxiety. That is

good government.good government.

Room Conversation with Richard Webster, chairman, Room Conversation with Richard Webster, chairman, Societa Filosofica Italiana -- May 24, 1974, RomeSocieta Filosofica Italiana -- May 24, 1974, Rome

This Krsna consciousness movement should This Krsna consciousness movement should be taken very seriously. It is the finishing be taken very seriously. It is the finishing

touch of American advancement of material touch of American advancement of material comforts. Then people will be very happy, comforts. Then people will be very happy, and America is already leader of the world. and America is already leader of the world. They will be first-class leader. The world will They will be first-class leader. The world will be benefited, and you will be benefited. And be benefited, and you will be benefited. And

my endeavor will be also successful.my endeavor will be also successful.

Press Conference at Airport -- July 28, 1975, DallasPress Conference at Airport -- July 28, 1975, Dallas

It is very much favorable to our It is very much favorable to our advancement in spiritual life if we are advancement in spiritual life if we are engaged in some service for Krishna engaged in some service for Krishna

which is also pleasing to us to perform. which is also pleasing to us to perform.

Letter to Saucarya, Vrindaban 23 October 1972Letter to Saucarya, Vrindaban 23 October 1972

So if you have got some special talent So if you have got some special talent or experience you may discuss with or experience you may discuss with Jagadisa how to engage yourself in Jagadisa how to engage yourself in

that way. That is his duty as leader, to that way. That is his duty as leader, to give you good engagement.give you good engagement.

Letter to: Saucarya -- Vrindaban 23 October, 1972Letter to: Saucarya -- Vrindaban 23 October, 1972

Real attitude of devotional service is, Real attitude of devotional service is, whether I am here or there, whether I am whether I am here or there, whether I am

doing this or that, it doesn't matter, just give doing this or that, it doesn't matter, just give me little prasada, little service, or if you me little prasada, little service, or if you

make me big leader, that's all right -- that is make me big leader, that's all right -- that is devotee, satisfied to serve Krishna in any devotee, satisfied to serve Krishna in any

circumstances of life.circumstances of life.


Mental EquanimityMental Equanimity

Any responsible executive agent at the top of administration has to tolerateAny responsible executive agent at the top of administration has to toleratedifferent types of onslaughts from the very persons for whom he works.different types of onslaughts from the very persons for whom he works.Brahmaji was criticized even by the gopis, the highest perfectional devoteesBrahmaji was criticized even by the gopis, the highest perfectional devoteesof the Lord. The gopis were dissatisfied with the work of Brahmaji becauseof the Lord. The gopis were dissatisfied with the work of Brahmaji becauseLord Brahma, as creator of this particular universe, created eyelids whichLord Brahma, as creator of this particular universe, created eyelids whichobstructed their seeing Lord Krishna. They could not tolerate a moment'sobstructed their seeing Lord Krishna. They could not tolerate a moment'sblinking of the eyes, for it kept them from seeing their beloved Lordblinking of the eyes, for it kept them from seeing their beloved LordKrishna. So what to speak of others, who are naturally very critical ofKrishna. So what to speak of others, who are naturally very critical ofevery action of a responsible man? Similarly, Maharaja Yudhishthira had toevery action of a responsible man? Similarly, Maharaja Yudhishthira had tocross over many difficult situations created by his enemies, and he provedcross over many difficult situations created by his enemies, and he provedto be the most perfect maintainer of mental equanimity in all criticalto be the most perfect maintainer of mental equanimity in all criticalCircumstances.Circumstances.

SB 1.12.23SB 1.12.23 Purport Purport

Servant Leadership

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