Mají oddaní volit? Šríla Prabhupáda a politika

CC-BY-SA: bh. Jan Mareš, 2017-

Když jsem dostal tento dotaz, uvědomil jsem si, že jsem toto téma dosud nikde neviděl podrobně rešeršované. Toto je tedy první pokus. Uvítám reakce všeho druhu na můj kontaktní email a jsem ochoten článek upravovat a rozšiřovat.

Při výzkumu jsem začal logicky Šikšámritou ve Vedabase. Kupodivu nic, byť jde o dost závažné téma.
Pak jsem hledání rozšířil na celou Vedabase. Hledal jsem spojení: devotee* should* vote*, devotee* should* elect*
ale žádný dopis ŠP o tom, že oddaní nemají volit, jsem nenašel.
Poté jsem hledal: voting OR elect* party OR parties
a našel jsem v podstatě jen často opakovanou Prabhupádovu kritiku asurských politiků a voličů. Několik příkladů (zdůraznění je mé):

When a Vaishnava king like Dhruva Maharaja is the head of the government of the entire world, the world is so happy that it is not possible to imagine or describe. Even now, if people would all become Krishna conscious, the democratic government of the present day would be exactly like the kingdom of heaven. If all people became Krishna conscious they would vote for persons of the category of Dhruva Maharaja. If the post of chief executive were occupied by such a Vaishnava, all the problems of satanic government would be solved. The youthful generation of the present day is very enthusiastic in trying to overthrow the government in different parts of the world. But unless people are Krishna conscious like Dhruva Maharaja, there will be no appreciable changes in government because people who hanker to attain political position by hook or by crook cannot think of the welfare of the people. They are only busy to keep their position of prestige and monetary gain. They have very little time to think of the welfare of the citizens. (SB 4.9.66 v.)

The king, or in modern times the government, should act as the guardian of the citizens by teaching them the proper goal of life. The human form of life is especially meant for realization of one's self and one's relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead because this cannot be realized in animal life. The duty of the government, therefore, is to take charge of training all the citizens in such a way that by a gradual process they will be elevated to the spiritual platform and will realize the self and his relationship with God. This principle was followed by kings like Maharaja Yudhishthira, Maharaja Parikshit, Lord Ramacandra, Maharaja Ambarisha and Prahlada Maharaja. The leaders of the government must be very honest and religious because otherwise all the affairs of the state will suffer. Unfortunately, in the name of democracy, rogues and thieves are electing other rogues and thieves to the most important posts in the government. Recently this has been proven in America, where the president had to be condemned and dragged down from his post by the citizens. This is only one case, but there are many others. Because of the importance of the Krishna consciousness movement, people should be Krishna conscious and should not vote for anyone who is not Krishna conscious. Then there will be actual peace and prosperity in the state. When a Vaishnava sees mismanagement in the government, he feels great compassion in his heart and tries his best to purify the situation by spreading the Hare Krishna movement. (SB 6.2.3 p.)

So the whole population is like that, like dog, like camel, like ass and like vid-varaha, pig, the stool-eater, the whole population, at the present moment. So he must elect another big animal who is also in this category. Because he has no knowledge. If you takes votes from the camels, to whom he will vote? Another big camel, that's all. If you take votes from the dog, then whom he will elect? Another big dog. Therefore, anyone who is not a devotee of God, Krishna, he is either of these animals. And if he is praised, it is to be understood that he is being praised by the similar type of animals. So if we remain sva-vid-varahoshtra-khara, then we must elect another big sva-vid-varahoshtra-khara. So how there can be good situation of the state? It is not possible. Therefore the public must be educated so that they may not elect another big dog or big camel or big ass to the exalted post. It is the public's fault. Nowadays it is democratic days. So why should you complain against such-and-such person or president? You have elected him, and now you find fault with him. So it was your fault that you selected such a rascal, sva-vid-varahoshtra. It is very right conclusion. (731215SB.LA)

Prabhupada: [break] Yes. In the whole world you won't find qualified brahmanas. And they are required for guiding the human society. So therefore the human society is in chaotic condition. There is no guidance. The sudras, they make things by vote. And what they'll vote? They're all rascals. What is the value of their votes? So that is going on all over the world. Fools and rascals they vote, and another rascal is selected. And after some time—"Oh, he is not suitable. Get him down," Nixon, and replace another fool, rascal. That's all.
Indian man (1): That is continuously going on.
Prabhupada: (laughs) Going on. The democracy means the selector, the elector, they are all fools and rascals. So how he will select a person who is not rascal?
Indian man (1): Is it possible that every man's life is directed by God, and you're born to do certain things, and you come to be prime minister or something?
Prabhupada: Yes, there is something like that. But I am talking of, if you depend on God, then why do you keep elections? You are opportunist. Sometimes you take shelter of God and sometimes of your election power. If you are so firm believer in God, then why election? Let God elect. Why you take part in election? Huh? Let God elect the prime minister. Why you are busy in giving vote? [break] God elected Maharaja Yudhishthira. Hm? His plan was that Maharaja Yudhishthira should be king, not Duryodhana. So He killed all the Duryodhana's party and selected Yudhishthira: "Sit down here." That is God's election. So why you elect? Depend on God. (751019mw.joh)

Jayapataka: One goal we could have is that they would pass a law that no one could be a member of a legislature who didn't follow the four regulative principles.
Prabhupada: Who will do that? That can be possible if you spread Krishna consciousness movement very widely and they become convinced that "We shall not vote anyone to these rascals. We must have a Vaishnava." Then everything will be changed. That is the only opportunity, that if people become Vaishnava and they decide that "We are not going to vote anyone who is not a Vaishnava," then everything will be all right. (760122mw.may)

ŠP nepovažuje žádného materialistického politika za kvalifikovaného.
Jako kritérium zvolení navrhuje přečtení Bhagavad-gíty:

Therefore the first teaching of Bhagavad-gita should be taken by the persons who are going to be elected in the government service. The public should be aware of this. If somebody comes to canvass for votes, you should first inquire, "Whether you have read Bhagavad-gita? Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi showed Bhagavad-gita. Why should you not? Do you know what is Bhagavad-gita? Then I shall give you vote. Otherwise get out." Rajarshayo viduh. This is required now, if you want to be saved from the crisis that is coming very gradually. Crisis means there will be... Now in black market you can get things, means eatables, rice, wheat. But if you don't take to Bhagavad-gita, there will be no more even if you pay black price. Just time it... That time is coming. There will be no more available. There will be no milk. There will be no more sugar, sugar. There will be no more rice. There will be no more wheat. No more fruits. Then you have to eat meat. Oh, beef shop. Then that will go on. Then human shop also. Gradually come. You have to eat the human being also. Carnivores. So it is therefore a great necessity that rajarshayo viduh, raja, those who are government men, they must study Bhagavad-gita. Otherwise don't give them vote. (740322bg.bom)

Politici jsou darebáci a politik, který by chtěl něco změnit k lepšímu, dopadne jako JFK:

Prabhupada: So the rascal scientist is responsible for giving such things in the hands of the rascals. Politicians are the most rascal; the most scoundrel, they go to politics. Politician means a tenth-class man. No first-class man goes to politics. Suppose if somebody says to me that "You come and become president." Why shall I go there? What can I do there? I know I shall not be able to do anything, so why shall I take the post?
Jayatirtha: They just like to lord it over.
Prabhupada: Yes. I cannot say... Suppose if I become president, and if I want to say that stop this slaughterhouse, immediately I will be removed. So I cannot do anything, even if I become president, so why shall I accept this post? No sane man, no gentleman will go to the post because he knows he will not be able to do anything for the welfare of the public.
Jayatirtha: They're so corrupt.
Prabhupada: So corrupt. (indistinct) Even one wants to do... just like President Kennedy, he wanted to do something good—he was shot down. Gandhi wanted to do something—he was shot down. So the politics is so corrupted that as soon as you are prepared to do something actually, you will be killed.
Svarupa Damodara: So seeing that mistake also, now the scientists, they are proposing that they should make a governing body, not the politicians, so when they discover something the result can be completely controlled by this group of...
Prabhupada: That is another foolishness. That is another foolishness. They will be bribed and they will vote. They will get money, that's all. (720928MW.LA)

Zastává názor, že oddaní by měli jednat podle svých vlastností v rámci varnášramy:

But there is no question of that one should be idle. No. If you are intelligent class, then you have to take to intelligent quality of work, just like you must become a scientist, you must become politician, not politician, philosopher. You must be a religionist or so many intelligent class of work. So you must engage in that way if you are actually intelligent, if you belong to the intelligent class. Now, if you are administrative class, then you must take to the politics or election, be elected the mayor, be elected the president or something like that, and work in that way. And if you belong to the mercantile community, then you must do business and produce agricultural grains and distribute them. That is your business. (660328bg.ny)

Podpořil i založení politické strany oddaných:

Actually, if there is organized party who believe in God factually, then this demon class of men will always be vanquished. Yes. Just like there was war between the surasura, demigods and the asuras. God, Vishnu, took side of the demigods and came out victorious. But if both of them are demons, why Vishnu will take side of anyone of them? "You fight and go to hell." That is going on. [break]
Umapati: ...I think that we were discussing the political possibilities of putting devotees into office, and we came up with the astounding discovery that we almost represent everything that is against western values. We represent austerity. We represent God consciousness. We represent restriction of sexual freedom, intoxication. All the four regulative principles are almost totally in opposite to western desires.
Prabhupada: That means western people are all demons.
Umapati: So the problem is trying to get into office under those circumstances, to make that known that "We stand for this," and to have anybody vote for you.
Prabhupada: (laughs) Nobody may vote but we must go on preaching. That I have already explained, some of the university. The whole country is illiterate. Does it mean university should be stopped? University must be there. One who is fortunate will come and take education. It is not an argument that "People are illiterate. They don't care for it. Therefore let the university be closed." This is no argument. (731212mw.la)

Prabhupada: Take prasadam, see drama, read books, chant Hare Krishna. Bas. And if you like, you can live with us. So where is the difficulty? Anandamayo 'bhyasat (Vedanta-sutra 1.1.12). Ananda-cinmaya-rasa-pratibhavitabhis tabhir ya eva nija-rupataya [Bs. 5.37]. (pause) That American politician has predicted that "This Hare Krishna movement, within ten years, they will capture our government." (laughs) So do it actually. Then it will be very nice. It is not... Simply take the people in your favor; the government is yours. That they are afraid of. The young boys, they are taking Hare Krishna movement seriously, so the government can be changed in their favor. After all, it is democracy. So you can do it. You become president. You become senator. In America it is possible. And if America accepts... What about this new president? Or... Formerly I heard about him that he is religious man. (761113rc.vrn)

Prabhupada: Yes. That also we admit because in the Bhagavad-gita it is said, yad yad vibhutimat sattvam, mama tejo 'msa-sambhavam, whenever there is some extraordinary power, it should be understood that it is derived partially from God's power. That we accept. So the dominance of American nation is God's favor. We can accept that. Now, if you put on the head representative like Mr. Nixon or some other, then it will deteriorate. If you spread Krishna consciousness and if you make your president Krishna conscious, then actually you will be God's empowered nation. Let the president become Krishna conscious man. Why not? You are American, you can also capture the post. You can become senator, you can be congressman. So educate the American public (in) Krishna consciousness, elect Krishna conscious president and actually you will be God's favored nation is there. You have got the opportunity and the Krishna consciousness movement is also in your hand, now it is up to you to utilize it and become actually the leaders of the world. That was my mission: "I shall go to America, and educate them, and they, if they follow, the whole world will follow." And that is coming to be true. You are all young men, it is in your hand. Now you make policy in that way. Just like the communists. A few communists, Stalin, Lenin, they formed a big communist party, now it is predominating all over the world. Similarly, you are so many nice, young, flowers, intelligent young Americans you have understood the philosophy, and now it is up to you to spread this "ism". You don't become stagnant—"Now I have understood Krishna consciousness, I shall sit down and chant Hare Krishna." (Hegel.SYA)

Tak vznikla strana "In God We Trust" pod vedením Balavanty P., jemuž napsal:

Letter to: Balavanta
—
Ahmedabad
13 December, 1972
72-12-13

Atlanta
My dear Balavanta,
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated November 13, 1972, and I have noted the contents with great care. I have had a good laugh and enjoyed your tricking the opponent candidates in election race, especially in front of the college students. That is a very good sign. Now I want that we shall recruit more and more our men amongst the intelligent class of men. They, because they are little educated or they have got some wealth or fame or ability, so they will be sometimes little puffed-up, but that is all right, they deserve it. Now we shall have to learn the art how to approach such higher-class of men and attract them to apply themselves to this Krishna Consciousness process of self-realization. That requires much tact, and we shall have to expect to meet all challenges by sharp minds. But if we remain always absorbed in remembering Lord Caitanya, how He converted so many intelligent men, even sitting for three days and nights to hear them speak without Himself speaking anything, and if we remember how Krishna was so much patient to explain everything to Arjuna, even Arjuna was speaking like a fool—in this way, being always tolerant of others and appreciating their points-of-view, it will be easy matter for us to convince them gradually to join us. So you have got a very great opportunity for this kind of preaching work. You want to place yourself for public office, that is nice. But that will require your best brain how to do it. Try to win, why not? Of course we may utilize the situation to expose our philosophy and ideas, but if there is also competition spirit, that will increase our enthusiasm to preach and try to convince the citizens. So if there is again occasion for voting race, why not invite and organize some of the other devotees in your country who have got some experience to advertise, canvass, make propaganda, like that, and they may come there for few weeks at a time to help you. In this way, make big, big propaganda. Attract the public to hear our views and plans for practical welfare for the common men. You are American boys and girls, you have got the best brains, now cooperate to place this Krishna Consciousness movement at the front of all others, that is my request.
You are having difficulty with police-force, that is to be expected. This material world is so full of danger, even from our so-called "protectors.'' But we have got the best Protector, Krishna, so do not worry about anything police or other envious persons. In one stroke Krishna can finish them all. But you may get some relief in this connection if you can approach very carefully some leading members of the city government, or big, big men of the town, and convince them by your words and behavior that our devotees are not in any way unworthy persons, that in fact they have left their lives of criminals to try to turn others away from being criminals, and that if simply we get a little facility we can render immense service to the cause of law and order. Like that, if you are sincere and cool-headed, they will appreciate after some time—and if only one of such big, big leaders understands the real fact, that is sufficient to stop all further cases of police attacks. But one thing is, we have not got anything to gain by "fighting the demons in the streets and courts.'' No, our process of solving the matter is simple, why should we unnecessarily take botheration for fighting? Only after exhausting every possibility of peaceful solution shall we fight anyone. Just like Krishna. He did not call for fighting until after every chance for settlement failed. So we shall try to overcome our opponents by, first, our words and our behavior, and all means of friendly approach we shall attempt by sober planning, and only later, all else failing, shall we actually fight. That is our philosophy. And if we stick to these lines of politics and diplomacy as set out for us by Krishna, we shall expect always victory, without any doubt:
vatra yogesvarah krsno
yatra partho dhanur-dharah
tatra srir vijaya bhutir
dhruva nitir matir mama
(B.G. XVIII, 78)
Hoping this meets you in good health.
Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
ACBS/sda

Když se ale ukázalo, že by se do této strany muselo hodně investovat (tak to v politice chodí, a v USA zvlášť) a oddaným ubírá čas na hlavní aktivity ISKCONu, ŠP ji rozpustil:

Letter to: Rupanuga
74-05-28
Washington, D.C.
My dear Rupanuga Maharaja;
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated May 21st, 1974.
I am not interested to spend money for your political party neither engage our men to divert attention from spiritual progress for political propaganda. So studying your letter thoroughly I have come to the conclusion you may stop the political program. It will not benefit our real spiritual position.
My only idea was to point out to the public that unless you have purified leaders there is no possibility of advancement even in the material condition. I had no idea to spend money and energy of our society in a way which is not our real spiritual life. As for the Harmonist articles, they are not bad, but the same thing could be presented in our Back to Godhead.
Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
ACBS/sdg

As well as giving his summary of activities for each temple in his zone, Balavanta also asked Srila Prabhupada about preaching through the forum of mundane politics. He had run for mayor of Atlanta several years ago, and he and Rupanuga prabhu had a political party called "In God We Trust." But then Srila Prabhupada stopped it. Now he asked for more advice on pursuing his political program. "In the course of our political campaign, what is the most important message to give the people?"
He also requested permission to come and spend some time with Srila Prabhupada as a visiting secretary.
After answering a few of Balavanta's questions on Deity worship and other issues, Prabhupada explained his view of ISKCON and politics. "Our ultimate aim is to take part in politics, because Krishna took part in politics, we have to follow—but if people do not become Krishna conscious it won't be possible. Actually if we can take up the government, our movement will be very easily spread and beneficial to the people. We can make happy, peaceful men, God conscious—this is our aim. The main thing is to distribute books more and more.
(Hari Sauri dasa: Transcendental Diary 4-5: October 4th, 1976)

Gopala Krishna: "Point ten. Blitz: It has started taking interest in politics. It has started a political party in U.S.A. called "In God We Trust" party.
ISKCON: ISKCON is not involved in politics at all anywhere in the world. Two American devotees did contest some civic elections for which a party called 'In God We Trust' was formed. The purpose of that campaign was to remind everyone to remember the Lord at all times, as everything belongs to God. Our spiritual master dissolved In God We Trust party in U.S.A. four years ago. Furthermore, there were never any plans to set up In God We Trust in India. We challenge Blitz to show us any evidence to support their claim. (760907g2.vrn)

Before departing Atlanta, Prabhupada spoke with the temple president, Balavanta, concerning political preaching. Prabhupada had been attracted previously when Balavanta had run for mayor of Atlanta. Subsequently, Balavanta and others had formed the political party “In God We Trust,” which Prabhupada had also approved until the devotees showed signs of diverting funds and energy from the mainstream activities of ISKCON. Therefore, for the time being Balavanta had stopped political preaching, neither did he bring it up to Prabhupada in this visit. But in his room Prabhupada sat with Balavanta, talking. (Satsvarúpa dása Gósvámí: Prabhupáda-lílá, SPL 7-10: A World Tour)

Na druhou stranu ŠP vyhledával podporu politiků jako Indirá Gándhí aj.:

Prabhupada: When the chief minister or something like that?
Giriraja: Chief minister is coming on Tuesday, on Rama-navami.
Prabhupada: But I am going to Juhu on Monday, is it not?
Giriraja: Well, we were originally thinking you could go on Wednesday, but...
Prabhupada: Oh. If they have arranged. I do not know what is your arrangement.
Giriraja: Oh, I'll find out. (long pause)
Prabhupada: When you'll call Tamala Krishna?
Giriraja: Some of the newly elected members from the Janta party are coming back to Bombay today and tomorrow. So we will try to invite one of them. (770326r2.bom)

Samozřejmě, že záleží na tom, jaké hodnoty ti politici podporují, zda dharmické nebo adharmické. Ve druhém případě nemůže ISKCON podporu čekat, právě naopak.

Komunismus – zkáza (nejen) Bengálska:

Prabhupada: Bengal has become ruined.
Tamala Krishna: They're the only place in all of India that elected a Communist government. Everyone else was so happy to elect the new party. But they elected Communists. Most amazing. (770708r2.vrn)

O oddaných a politické podpoře se vyjádřil takto:

So far your ideas about influencing the leaders of society, yes, that must be done. But political power is not in their hands actually, factually speaking. It is the common people who elect the leaders of your country. Therefore we must get the support of the common men. What good is the support of a handful of so-called leaders of society? But, on the other hand, if such leaders of society can be influenced to preach on our behalf, help us to spread Krsna Consciousness in some practical way, that is the best service. But simply supporting, that will not help us. Support of mass of people will help us. But mass of people take direction from their leaders, so if the leaders of present day society can be persuaded of our beneficial working for the human welfare, and if they help us somehow to spread what they have learned from us to the people in general, that is the point to be considered. By going out for sankirtana and selling books to the citizens at large, in this way we are gradually getting the support of everyone, not just a select few. I have heard that during the last election of President in your country that the opposite party to Mr. Nixon was supported by most of the so-called intelligent class of men of your country, but still, what could they do, such high class of men, in comparison with Mr. Nixon? Mr. Nixon has got the support of the common men, therefore he is successful. So life that, we must get the support of the mass of men, and if the leading men can be induced by you to preach on our behalf, then you will be able to speed up the process and actually that is a very great service for Krsna. Spending so much time with upper class citizens to get funds must be judged on this idea, whether their appreciating our movement will have any practical effect in terms of widespread spreading of Krsna Consciousness and preaching to the mass of men? The program, as you have mentioned it, of approaching the professors to introduce our books in their classrooms, that is the right idea. In that way the leading class, just like the professors, if they can be induced to preach on our behalf, just like introducing the books to their students is one form of preaching, if they will do like that, then spending time with them is very, very desirable and effective.
(SPL Damodara - Bombay, India 9 January, 1973, 73-01-09)

Předchozí áčárjové

BVT ani BSST se v textech, které od nich v e-verzi mám (zřejmě většinu, i když Harmonist nejde prohledávat), konkrétně o volbách nevyjadřují.
BVT ale byl profesionální státní úředník, podobně jako např. guvernér Rámánanda Rája.
BSST napsal v eseji Testimony of Love:

"May we never perform any activity being deprived of the service of the servants of Godhead. If we do not employ all secular knowledge, history, literature, philosophy, science, the arts of war and politics in its proper sense, or in other words, if we do not fully connect everything with the reference to Krishna, that is reduce it to the service of Godhead, it would give rise to the controversial method which would make us think that we should give up this thing, and that thing, and that it is not this and not that."

Příznivci Gaudíja Mathu, Lordu Zetlandovi z Anglie, napsal:

My Lord Marquess,
	It is with feelings of great joy that I, on behalf of the members of the Gaudiya Mission in India, do hail this opportunity of conveying our hearty and most respectful congratulations to Your Lordship for kindly accepting a prominent position in the British Cabinet as the “Secretary of State for India”. Being purely and thoroughly religious people, although we are not very conversant and very keenly concerned with political issues, we may make bold to state this much: that Your Lordship is perhaps the only person in the whole of Great Britain who enjoys the most unflinching confidence of the vast people of this country and who can most ably guide their destinies in this critical moment, and we are sure many of their legitimate aspirations will be fulfilled so as to tighten more closely the silken tie of friendship and goodwill between the British and the Indians.
	So far as we are concerned, Your Lordship being the most distinguished patron and President of our London Gaudiya Mission Society, it is a proud occasion of great importance and honour to us to express our most heart-felt felicitations for the significant appointment. May the Supreme Lord grant Your Lordship a long life and glorious success in Your Lordship’s mission, and may He bestow His choicest blessings on Your Lordship.
	With the kindest regards to Your Lordship,
	In the service of the Supreme Lord,

		Sri Siddhanta Saraswati

(Gaudiya, Vol. 35, No. 44)

BSST také vyjádřil přání, které zaznamenal ŠP: 
That the high-court judge will be a Gaudiya Vaisnava, tilaka displayed on his forehead, the glory of all. 
That a Vaisnava winning votes will be the president of the land,
And everywhere this preaching will be extended? (Vaisistyastaka 6.50-51)

Šástra

Tento výrok naopak nepodporuje účast oddaných v moderních parlamentech, kde je páchání nepravostí pravidlem:

na sabhAM pravizet prAjJaH
sabhya-doSAn anusmaran
abruvan vibruvann ajJo
naraH kilbiSam aznute

Moudrý človĕk by nemĕl vstoupit do shromáždĕní, pokud ví, že jeho účastníci páchají nepravosti. A pokud poté, co do takového shromáždĕní vstoupil, nepromluví pravdu, promluví lživĕ nebo se vymlouvá na nevĕdomost, zajisté si přivodí hřích. (SB 10.44.10)

Současnost

US-kongresmanka za Havaj Tulsí Gabbard https://gabbard.house.gov/
pochází z tamní rodiny oddaných ze Siddhasvarúpovy skupiny.
Naneštěstí podporuje potraty, zřejmě jako povinnou úlitbu establišmentu.

V BtG #15-09, 1980 je v sekci Vedic Observer článek Ravíndry Svarúpy "Manifesto for a Politics of Transcendence".

V BtG #20-06, 1985 je článek "Guatemalan Devotee Elected".

Můj známý, Vrindávan P. ACBSP (Brannon Parker), 
https://www.facebook.com/vedic.empire/
se dlouhodobě angažoval a angažuje v místní politice všude, kde zrovna žil a žije (Kalifornie, Havaj, v Indii v protradičních hindu organizacích, v nichž si získal autoritu a přezdívku „Supraníti Vrindávan“, jak mi napsal v dopise). Z jeho postoje jsem pro sebe vyvodil závěr: „Nezájem občana o politiku nezpůsobí nezájem politiky o občana.“ [Prý to už řekl Perikles. No nic, klasikem se opět nestanu. :)] To se týká opravdu všech občanů, i když úměrně jejich zapojení v systému (daně, atd.)

Lidé se chovají paradoxně. Jedním z důkazů je nezájem o volby:

„To, co je společné největšímu počtu lidí, tomu se věnuje nejmenší starostlivost, neboť každý zanedbává starostlivost, kterou si myslí, že by ji měli vykonávat jiní.“ (Aristotelés ze Stageiry, 335 př. n. l.)

To se potvrdilo i v parlamentních volbách 2017:

„Andrej Babiš vyhrál volby. No ano, vyhrál je. Získal cca 30% hlasů oprávněných voličů. To znamená, že mu svůj hlas hodilo cca 1 530 000 voličů z 8 500 000. To je prosím pěkně 18%. Skoro 3 500 000 lidí sedělo doma na faulenci a k volbám prostě nešlo.“ (Martin Rulf)

Povinnost volit sice platí jen v některých zemích:

https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Povinn%C3%A1_volebn%C3%AD_%C3%BA%C4%8Dast

takže je samozřejmě možné nechat za sebe rozhodovat jiné, ale je třeba být připraven doslova na vše, včetně perzekucí známých z totalitních zemí. Západní Evropa, kde se stále více prosazuje cenzura (jako začátek útlaku), je toho příkladem: 
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-42510868

Shodou okolností v téže době, kdy Vystrčil demonstrativně ignoruje zahraniční politiku země (tu určily milióny voličů v parlamentních volbách – nikoli stovky či tisíce z voleb senátních) ...
Tedy pokud voliči nepochopí, že přijít k senátním volbám je stejně tak důležité jako hlasovat v jakýchkoli jiných. Pokud nechceme, aby nám diktovala menšina totalitářů. (https://www.protiproud.info/politika/5298-vyssi-princip-duchodce-se-kriticky-vyjadril-k-nasi-zahranicni-politice-hrozi-mu-za-to-15-let-vezeni-senatni-trafikant-vystrcil-ods-je-za-totez-hrdinou-a-daji-mu-medaili-nechame-senat-pate-kolone-pak-se-nedivme.htm)

O nevolení:
https://bornova.pub/2021/aktualni-system-nesnasim-a-tak-nebudu-volit/

Zajímavost ze starého Řecka: lidé, kteří se nezajímali o věci veřejné a tedy ani nevolili, byli nazýváni „idiotes“, z čehož pochází slovo idiot. https://www.historydisclosure.com/what-does-idiot-mean/
Český etymologický slovník (J. Rejzek) uvádí u hesla „idiot“: Z lat. idiōta, idiōtēs ‘nevědomec, laik’ z ř. idiō̺tēs ‘soukromá osoba, laik, nevědomec’ od ídios ‘zvláštní, osobní’.

Koho tedy volit?

Podle mého pochopení se vaišnavské hodnoty nejvíce blíží tomuto okrajovému politickému postoji: 

https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleokonzervatismus

Jsou však ještě konzervativnější, např. vzhledem k prosazování ochrany krav a čtyř zásad, a proto mnoho oddaných nevolí, protože nemá koho. Oddaní jsou často apolitičtí, což vyplývá z prvního rozhovoru ŠP a BSST, kdy BSST nadřadil transcendentní (nitja) činnosti světským (anitja). Tehdy ŠP mluvil o politické svobodě od britské koloniální vlády. To byl ovšem naprosto minimální problém proti tomu, co se děje dnes, kdy všeobecnou degradaci dharmy prosazují libtardi v různých stranách. Nezájem o politiku je proto luxus pro echt-transcendentalisty, kteří neřeší:

- nesvobodu vyznání a z ní vyplývající omezení cestování, přinucení nechat se očkovat pofiderními vakcínami, bojovat ve válce za zájmy asurů, být vězněn, nucen jíst ve vězení maso atd.
- orwellismus (sociální ID, konec hotovosti atd.)
- cílenou degradaci dharmy (indoktrinace od dětských let)
- ekonomickou situaci (snížení prodeje knih, prasádam, inflaci atd.)
- boj o přežití se stoupenci nepřátelských ideologií (především fanatičtí násilní stoupenci islámu a libdem)

V některých zemích včetně Indie existuje možnost volby zvaná NOTA („none of the above“), kterým voliči vyjadřují, že nepodporují žádnou kandidující stranu a zároveň se zachovají jako občané:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/None_of_the_above

Téhož lze dosáhnout vhozením prázdné obálky. Tímto aktem se zvyšuje nutné procento hlasů pro vítězného kandidáta, tedy se vlastně volí proti všem.

Pokud tedy oddaní chtějí podpořit konzervativní hodnoty, mohou volit strany, které k nim mají nejblíže a alespoň tak brzdí mohutný postup sil adharmy. Více o tomto problému v historickém kontextu:
http://www.veda.harekrsna.cz/encyklopedie/zrudnosti.htm
To je to nejmenší, co mohou pro dharmu na této úrovni udělat.

Volby v ISKCONu

Prezidenti chrámů volí členy GBC:

2. His Divine Grace will select the initial 12 members of the GBC. In the succeeding years the GBC will be elected by a vote of all Temple presidents who will vote for 8 from a ballot of all Temple presidents, which may also include any secretary who is in charge of a Temple. Those 8 with the greatest number of votes will be members for the next term of GBC. Srila Prabhupada will choose to retain four commissioners. In the event of Srila Prabhupada's absence, the retiring members will decide which four will remain. (Direction of Management, July 28, 1970)

Členové chrámu hlasují o sesazení prezidenta:

N.B. Regarding replacing Abhirama and Damodara I refer to the "Direction of Management'' as follows: "Removal of a Temple President by GBC requires support by the local Temple members.'' Therefore you should take a vote of the Temple members and do the needful. A.C. B.S. (letter to Rupanuga, Bombay, 74-11-07)

Prezidenty volí členové GBC:

Regarding the election there for President of the temple, I understand that you received the vote. So you should be the president. I am putting my casting vote for you. I have informed Hamsaduta this by post. (letter to Madhavananda, Vrindaban, 74-09-16)

5.6.2.1	Appointment of Temple President
The GBC Zonal Secretary/s shall be the authority to appoint or approve a new Temple President to fill in a vacancy of the post in an existing temple or in a newly established temple. If the candidate is holding such a position for the first time then he shall be appointed only as an acting Temple President for a trial period of one year. A preaching center shall not have the post of a President but shall have the post of a Manager. In all such appointments the Zonal Secretary shall give due considerations to the recommendations of the Divisional Council. (ISKCON Lawbook)

Související články:
https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2012/09/should-devotees-vote-in-elections-what-is-the-devotional-perspective-of-democracy/

http://krishnatoday.com/should-devotee-vote-in-elections/

https://iskconnews.org/the-yoga-of-voting,7579/