In the Vedic civilization there was no such problem as petrol problem and food problem or . . . no. The problem was whether the civilization was going nicely, whether the human civilization is making progress toward the ultimate goal of life, not to bother with the temporary problems. Temporary problems has been described in the Bhagavad-gītā, tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata. Mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya.
- mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya
- śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ
- āgamāpāyino anityās
- tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata
- (BG 2.14)
Anything except this problem . . . there are problems always. This is a world of problems. So . . . just like this summer season, that is also problem. The winter season, that is also problem. So many people come here in Hawaii because they cannot tolerate too much severe cold in the mainland. They come here. And again, when you come here, when it is too much hot, warm, then we require fan, we require refrigerator, we require so many . . . so problem is there. So Kṛṣṇa is saying: "My dear Arjuna, problems there will be." This is material world. You cannot avoid problem. But you should tackle with the main problem, not the insignificant or temporary problem. That is the instruction of Bhagavad-gītā.
The main problem is janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi (BG 13.9). That is main problem. So our cultivation of knowledge, advancement of civilization, should be on the basis of solving the main problems, janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi, not the temporary problem. For the temporary problems, it is advised that the temporary problems, they come and go. Just like nowadays there is the petrol problem. Petrol is there, but because the Arabians are restricting supply, it has become a problem. So there are, as soon as there will be some peace agreement between the Arabians and others, this problem will be solved. Take for example. Best example is given in the Bhagavad-gītā, śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ (BG 2.14). You can solve your petrol problem, but you can never solve the problem of winter and summer. That will come and go. So it is not that winter will remain for good, or the summer will remain for good. Āgamāpāyino 'nityāḥ. They will come and go away. So don't be bothered about them. If you feel botheration, just try to suffer or tolerate. That is not your real problem. Real problem is how to stop the birth, death, old age and disease, and that is Vedic civilization, and that is depending on the brahminical culture.
So the king's duty is to see that everyone is following the brahminical culture. The brahmin is executing his occupational duties nicely, the kṣatriyas are doing nicely in their occupational duties; similarly, vaiśyas, śūdras. That is the duty of the government, that everything is going on nicely. Otherwise, it will be a great concern, and people will be always filled up with anxieties. There will be so many troubles and problems—we cannot solve them. And it is very difficult to solve in this age of Kali. Therefore śāstra has given us injunction that:
- harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam
- kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva nāsty eva gatir anyathā
- (CC Adi 17.21)
Because we are so weak in this age and there are so many problems, it is very, very difficult to make a solution. Therefore śāstra says that, "You simply take to the chanting of the holy name of God."