Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 04, Chapter 14, Text 01

SB 4.14.1

maitreya uvaca
bhrgv-adayas te munayo
lokanam ksema-darsinah
goptary asati vai nrnam
pasyantah pasu-samyatam
 
Translation by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada: 
 
The great sage Maitreya continued: O great hero Vidura, the great sages, headed by Bhrgu, were always thinking of the welfare of the people in general. When they saw that in the absence of King Anga there was no one to protect the interests of the people, they understood that without a ruler the people would become independent and nonregulated.
 
Purport by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada: 
 
In this verse the significant word is ksema-darsinah, which refers to those who are always looking after the welfare of the people in general. All the great sages headed by Bhrgu were always thinking of how to elevate all the people of the universe to the spiritual platform. Indeed, they advised the kings of every planet to rule the people with that ultimate goal of life in mind. The great sages used to advise the head of the state, or the king, and he used to rule the populace in accordance with their instruction. After the disappearance of King Anga, there was no one to follow the instructions of the great sages. Consequently all the citizens became unruly, so much so that they could be compared to animals. As described in Bhagavad-gita (4.13), human society must be divided into four orders according to quality and work. In every society there must be an intelligent class, administrative class, productive class and worker class. In modern democracy these scientific divisions are turned topsy-turvy, and by vote sudras, or workers, are chosen for administrative posts. Having no knowledge of the ultimate goal of life, such persons whimsically enact laws without knowledge of life’s purpose. The result is that no one is happy.
Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 04, Chapter 14, Text 02