Leadership

“The citizens declared that through being under the protection of Maharaja Prthu, they were directly under the protection of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This understanding is the proper situation of social steadiness within this material world. Since it is stated in the Vedas that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the maintainer and leader of all living entities, the king or the executive head of the government must be a representative of the Supreme Person. Then he can claim honour exactly like the Lord’s. How a king or leader of society can become the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is also indicated in this verse by the statement that because Prthu Maharaja was preaching the supremacy and the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vishnu, he was therefore a proper representative of the Lord. To remain under the jurisdiction or administration of such a king or leader is the perfect status for human society.” (SB 4.21.49)

In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna famously says that “Whatever actions a great man performs, and whatever standards he sets by his exemplary acts, all the world pursues” (BG 3.21). Good leaders are essential for progressive civilisation. In this instructive section of Srimad-Bhagavatam, we find a series of metaphors being used to describe the qualities of Maharaja Prthu. They provide a profound insight into the content of character needed to powerfully and progressively lead people.

The following verse outlines three fundamental qualities that every leader must embody: “Just as rainfall satisfies everyone’s desires, Maharaja Prthu used to satisfy everyone. He was like the sea in that no one could understand his depths, and he was like Meru, the king of hills, in the fixity of his purpose.” (SB 4.22.58)