Prajāpati: Devotees are beginning more and more, Śrīla Prabhupāda, under your instruction, to enter into politics. But the political leaders, they will claim, "Well, you have no experience. How can you be qualified to . . .?"
Prabhupāda: No, we have got experience. If there is a good man, he'll do, he'll act very nice. That we have got experience. Just like if a man is honest, you can trust him. This is our experience. So similarly, if the leaders be good according to this standard, then the whole human society will be happy. This is our propaganda. We are not after the post, but we have to disclose this rascaldom that, "All these rascals, animal, fools, they are taking the post of leader, and you are suffering repeatedly, but you have no sense that 'How we can be happy with this Nixon and company's leadership?' " So therefore we want to disclose the fact, that's all.
We have no ambition. Just like we are brāhmaṇas. We have nothing to do, but according to Vedic civilization, the brāhmaṇas guides the kṣatriyas how to rule. So our position is to reform the politicians. We are not going to compete with them; we have no business, neither we have time. But because people are suffering—we want everyone to be happy—therefore we want to reform these rascals. That is our goal. What we shall do, taking part in politics? We have no business. But our real aim is how people will be happy. That is our real aim. So these rascals are leading, misleading. Therefore we want to check them. Is that all right? Is that all right?
Prajāpati: Will this be possible, to reform these leaders, Śrīla Prabhupāda?
Prabhupāda: Well, just like I came here alone to reform, to make God conscious, but gradually it is increasing. Although I had very little hope, but still now hopeful. So let us try for it. It is not that cent percent people, but if one, two men can understand, leading men, then the whole society will be benefited. It is not that mass people will be reformed. Just like we have received one letter from one Mr. Ford, Ford family, how much he is appreciating our movement. He has paid also. So it is our duty to do. But if one, two men comes out, comes forward, then it will be successful.
Yaśomatīnandana: That Ford boy is about to become a devotee, Prabhupāda.
Prabhupāda: Yes, he'll become devotee, just like George is becoming devotee. So if somebody comes in our touch, and if he is sincere, he'll become devotee. Now this . . . I shall go this way?
Śrutakīrti: Yes.
Prajāpati: So therefore, because we're not actually trying to gain the office, there need be no compromise in our preaching. Our preaching can be strictly on the platform . . .
Prabhupāda: Oh, yes.
Prajāpati: . . . it always has been.
Prabhupāda: Our this attempt is for preaching, not for the post. If we get the post, it is all right. If we don't get, we are not disappointed. Just like even Kṛṣṇa—He came to preach, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekam (BG 18.66). And did everybody do so, sarva-dharmān? So that you cannot expect, that your preaching . . . because it is so sublime, it is not possible. But if one or two men accept, then you are successful.
Svarūpa Dāmodara: It's just a form of preaching.
Prabhupāda: Eh?
Svarūpa Dāmodara: It's just a form of preaching, so we can expose everyone.
Prabhupāda: Yes. The ideal should be there. Just like sometimes university maintains some classes, spending thousands of dollars every month, but there is no student. Does it mean the university shall close that department? No, it must go on. If anyone is fortunate, he'll take advantage. This is the process.