A perfect ruler depends on Krishna alone and elevates society; democracy depends on unqualified voters and creates chaos.Listen — Srila Prabhupada Uvaca
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.15.38 — December 16, 1973, Los Angeles 731216SB-LOS ANGELES [35:56 Minutes] SB-01.15.38_731216SB-LOS ANGELES Nitāi: Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. [leads chanting of verse] [Prabhupāda and devotees repeat] sva-rāṭ pautraṁ vinayinam ātmanaḥ susamaṁ guṇaiḥ toya-nīvyāḥ patiṁ bhūmer abhyaṣiñcad gajāhvaye [SB 1.15.38] [break] sva-rāṭ—the emperor; pautram—unto the grandson; vinayinam—properly trained; ātmanaḥ—his own self; su-samam—equal in all respects; guṇaiḥ—by the qualities; toya-nīvyāḥ—bordered by the seas; patim—master; bhūmeḥ—of the land; abhyaṣiñcat—enthroned; gajāhvaye—in the capital of Hastināpura. [03:25] Translation: "Therefore, in the capital of Hastināpura, he enthroned his grandson, who was trained and equally qualified, as the emperor and master of all the land bordered by the seas." Prabhupāda: Hm. So it appear that five thousand years ago, all the lands of this globe were known.
It is a mistake that "America was discovered." [laughter] It was known. Otherwise, how it is said that "the land encircled by water," unless it is known? So our so-called Hindus, they say that if somebody goes on the other side of the sea, he becomes fallen. Does it mean that the emperor did not go outside?
The capital was Hastināpura, which is now near New Delhi. They say the Pāṇḍava fort is there. Anyway, so the whole world was being governed by the emperor situated in Hastināpura. One, one state.
There are many evidences. Therefore the history of the whole world is called Mahābhārata. Mahā means greater. Mahābhārata, the history.
Mahābhārata is history. They call it epic. No. It is history. So formerly, the whole planet, Bhārata-varṣa—it was named Bhārata-varṣa—and it was being governed by one emperor.
Therefore it is said here, sva-rāṭ. Sva-rāṭ means completely independent. Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira was not dependent on any other king or any other state. He was fully independent.
Whatever he liked, he could do. That is king. That is emperor. If the so-called king or the president is dependent on the votes of some rascal voters, then what kind of sva-rāṭ he is?