Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

Other definitions which shed some more light on the subject:

"So Vidura was a great devotee and great politician also. Not that a devotee should not take part in politics. They knew everything, but they did not take part. Just like Vidura and his elder brother Dhtarastra. He was a politician, Dhrtarastra. His whole life was diplomacy and politics. But still, in difficult position he used to consult Vidura. So why should a politician consult a devotee? No. If I want to do something I must take advice, the best advice, from the best man. That is the principal. So Vidura was an expert advisor." (Lecture Srimad-Bhagavatam 1973)

"The battle of Kuruksetra is full of politics and diplomacy, but because the topics are related with Lord Krishna, the Bhagavad-gita is therefore adored all over the world. There is no need to eradicate politics, economics, sociology, etc., which are mundane to the mundaners. To a pure devotee, who is actually related with the Lord, such mundane things are transcendental if dovetailed with the Lord or with His pure devotees. We have heard and talked about the activities of the Pandavas, and we are now dealing with the topics of Maharaja Pariksit, but because all these topics are related to the Lord Sri Krishna, they are all transcendental, and pure devotees have great interest in hearing them." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1-16-6)

'93So the Vaisnava, therefore, will have no politics. Politics means planning for one'92s own happiness. That is politics. So in our society there should be no diplomacy, no politics. Everyone should be eager how to do good to others. That is Vaisnava. If he'92s planning something, that '93I shall be leader,'94 '93I shall be doing something,'94 that is not Vaisnavism. That politics is not good.'94 - A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami - March 15, 1974, Vrindavana

Srila Prabhupada is talking about his disciples who engaged in all kinds of manipulations and back stabbing to gain personal fame, profit, and position. They were taking advantage of ISKCON, not serving it. They were willing to take advantage of others for personal pleasure. Prabhupada is reminding them what it means to be a Vaishnava.

I heard that someone heard that Prabhupada said: the material world is politics...
:)