not autocratic
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Imported quote 13072 Although it is misconceived that formerly the monarchial government was autocratic, from the description of this verse it appears that not only was King Uttanapada a rajarsi, but before installing his beloved son Dhruva on the throne of the empire of the world, he consulted his ministerial officers, considered the opinion of the public, and also personally examined Dhruva's character. Then he installed him on the throne to take charge of the affairs of the world.
(More...) Imported quote 13227 It appears that although there was monarchy, it was not at all an autocracy. There were senior family members and ministers who could make changes and elect the proper person to the throne, although the throne could be occupied only by the royal family. In modern days also, wherever there is monarchy, sometimes the ministers and elderly members of the family select one member from the royal family to occupy the throne in preference to another.
(More...) Imported quote 13265 According to Vedic civilization, in a monarchy the king is advised by saintly persons and sages. By taking their advice, he can become the greatest executive power, and everyone in his kingdom will be happy, peaceful and prosperous. The great kings were very responsible in taking the instructions given by great saintly personalities. The kings used to accept the instructions given by great sages like Parasara, Vyasadeva, Narada, Devala and Asita, etc. In other words, they would first accept the authority of saintly persons and then execute their monarchical power. Unfortunately, in the present age of Kali, the head of government does not follow the instructions given by the saintly persons; therefore neither the citizens nor the men of government are very happy. Their duration of life is shortened, and almost everyone is wretched and bereft of bodily strength and spiritual power. If citizens want to be happy and prosperous in this democratic age, they should not elect rascals and fools who have no respect for saintly persons.
(More...) Imported quote 13785 In this verse it is very clearly stated that a kingdom, state or empire must be governed under the instructions of saintly persons and brahmanas like the Kumaras. When monarchy ruled throughout the world, the monarch was actually directed by a board of brahmanas and saintly persons. The king, as the administrator of the state, executed his duties as a servant of the brahmanas. It was not that the kings or brahmanas were dictators, nor did they consider themselves proprietors of the state. The kings were also well versed in Vedic literatures and thus were familiar with the injunction of Sri Īsopanisad: isavasyam idam sarvam-everything that exists belongs to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In Bhagavad-gita Lord Krsna also claims that He is the proprietor of all planetary systems (sarva-loka-mahesvaram). Since this is the case, no one can claim to be proprietor of the state. The king, president or head of the state should always remember that he is not the proprietor but the servant.
(More...) Imported quote 17834 So these saintly persons were also advising-Vyasadeva, and vyasadyaiḥ, not only Vyasadeva; there were other big, big saintly person. The monarchy, as it is conceived in the Vedic civilization, that is not this monarchy. Just like we have got experience in the history, a monarch means get money and spend it for wine and woman. Not that kind of monarch. Monarchy means the king... The ideal monarchy-Maharaja Yudhisthira, Maharaja Pariksit-they were very much advanced in spiritual knowledge, in administrative knowledge, in economic development. Everything, perfectly they were educated, and they were being guided by saintly persons like vyasadyaiḥ. Vyasadyaiḥ. Maharaja Ramacandra was being guided by Vasistha. So the kings were guided by a committee of saintly person. Big, big learned, saintly person, brahmanas, they would give advice to the king. He is already learned. There was a case, Vena Maharaja, the father of Prthu Maharaja. He was very much upstart. Therefore the committee of the learned brahmanas and saintly person killed him. Because he was not hearing to the committee of the saintly person, brahmanas, he was killed, and his son, Maharaja Prthu, was enthroned. There were many cases. If the king was an upstart, the brahmanas, they were so powerful, they did not require any weapon; simply by their words they will kill him.
(More...) Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/?qg=1214
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