How Does One Become a Qualified Leader?

Thought For the Day

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How Does One Become a Qualified Leader?

December 20, 2025

Krishna or God is the supreme leader. Proper leadership requires being His representative. The person who has fully absorbed himself in love of God is qualified to lead the entire world out of chaos. We pray for that day when all the leaders of the world will come to this standard.

Sankarshan Das

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Transcendental Reply

Guru Mahārāja,

Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet!!!

In childhood, I was very much influenced by Māyāvādīs. I challenged them when I became 25 years old, because, as you say, they speak like that. I had already known this since childhood. My family members also follow this Māyāvāda concept. I used to debate with my family members and used to thrash this nonsensical philosophy.

My family members used to be afraid to discuss spiritual affairs. Once, I went to Thiruvananthapuram, to Śrī Śṛṅgeri Maṭha, along with my wife. Till that time, I had not followed ISKCON’s philosophy very closely. In Śrī Śṛṅgeri Maṭha, there was a photo of Śaṅkarācārya. In that photo, Śaṅkarācārya was telling his mother to chant the name of Kṛṣṇa. I directly went to the chief head and discussed this with him. He became stunned by my logic. I said, “Your logic is baseless when you are making a picture of Śaṅkarācārya based on his real life, showing that he is telling his mother about the glory of Kṛṣṇa’s name when she is dying. It means you are not following Śaṅkarācārya’s teachings seriously and do not want to follow them, nor do you want to put any further inquiry. That is why Śaṅkarācārya is telling his mother in a private space about the glory of the holy name.” I then came outside and left this cult.

I want to ask four questions, Mahārāja:

A) If any Māyāvādī debates with me, then I will try to defeat him. Is it okay according to śāstra?

B) Are Śaṅkarācāryas having siddhis, or are they only puffed up with little knowledge?

C) Sometimes, when these people criticize Vaiṣṇavas, I think of defeating even Śaṅkarācārya in debate, since I am very much expert in juggling the words of śāstras in favor of Kṛṣṇa.

When this thought comes into my mind, what should I do?

D) I think Māyāvādīs are hypocrites. Is this right?

Thank you very much again for your right guidance. I humbly beg at your lotus feet. Since I have a kṣatriya nature more predominant in me than a brāhminical nature, please bless me in cultivating brāhminical qualities and Vaiṣṇava qualities.

Since I cannot tolerate these things, such thoughts come into my mind.

Your insignificant servant,
Natha Niṣṭhā Dāsa

Answer

From: Melbourne, Australia

My Dear Natha Nistha,

Please accept my blessings.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Srila Prabhupada told us in a Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Lecture he gave on June 16, 1972 in Los Angeles
lecture:

A: So you should not be simply chanting and dancing. Along with, you must know philosophy. There are so many Māyāvādīs; you have to defeat them. It is not that we are coward. We are Kṛṣṇa's soldiers. So as soon as there is Māyāvādī attack, you must immediately defeat him.

B: They are puffed up rascals only. Devotees have the siddhi of being able to conquer over all bogus. philosophies in all directions.

C: Sankaracarya, an incarnation of Lord Śiva, is actually the greatest Vaisnava. For Krishna’s service he presented a philosophy that was halfway between Buddhism and Vaisnavism in order to drive Buddhism out of India and pave the way for Vaisnavism. Even though the greatest Vaisnava, Lord Śiva appeared in the form of Śaṅkarācārya to preach Māyāvāda philosophy. At the end of his pastimes as Śaṅkarācārya he preached the Vaiṣṇava philosophy:

bhaja govindaṁ bhaja govindaṁbhaja govindam mūḍha-mate
samprāpte sannihite kāle
na hi na hi rakṣati ḍukṛñ-karaṇe

"You intellectual fools, just worship Govinda, just worship Govinda, just worship Govinda. Your grammatical knowledge and word jugglery will not save you at the time of death."

Therefore, those who claim to be followers of Sankaracarya should accept his final teaching and become devotees of Krishna.

D: According to Sankaracarya those who follow his earlier teachings are fools and rascals.

It is simply wonderful if you can philosophically use your ksatriya nature to defeat all the Mayavadis. Devotees are transcendental to all the varnas. They can use all of their natures in Krishna’s service.

I hope this meets you in the best of health and in a cheerful mood.

Your ever well-wisher,

Sankarshan Das

Around the World Travel Schedule

15 December – Arrive in Melbourne, Australia
23 December – Depart from Melbourne
23 December – Arrive in Austin, Texas USA

7 January onwards to be announced 

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