need return of retreats?

There was a time once, call it the golden era of history 

When royals bowed to rishis, and it was not a mystery!

They took their blessings and adopted their teachings

That era provides a proper backdrop for a casehistory!

Lord Sri Krishna had put in place a great many retreats 

Where kings and princes learnt how to take  backseats.

He himself, a titan, went to the retreat of Sandipan rishi

Spent fours years there, working on retreat worksheets.

Kings were betrothed to the well-being of the subjects 

Subjects were freemen in veracious spirit and aspects.

Names pop up as, Harishchandra, Bhartrahari & Janak 

Where it was un heard of, mentioning amoral subjects.

Later on , a time came , there ran the Socratic dialogue

So as  to checkmate  possibile  monocratic  monologue!

'Until philosophers r kings.....cities will never have rest

From their evils'... ran the script to rig out an analogue!

For long, the ship that is our earth, has had no captain

Like king Ashoka, after Kalinga war; who could contain

Such a big empire, while guarding Buddhist principles.

This had a very sobering effect on the wavering brain!

Every ruler now is set, vying to gain control of the helm

There are no qualms about how they might overwhelm!

Is there a doubt that the earth has become unsafe to live?

Isn't it baffling, it doesn't bother  the estate of the realm?

There is dire need for the return of the  ancient retreats

Don't say way-out ! There is no dearth of those retreats.

The infrastructure is there , existent , steady and intact

All we need is a trigger for silently pulsating heartbeats!

Whoever intends to be a ruler must  undergo a training 

I am more than sure, it will be deemed wishful thinking!

But shall we not ask like Socrates, our ruler  be truthful 

and just? Of course , we wish it is not a Socratic ending?

Hare Krishna!

Ajit Sambodhi