Shloka 19

Sevaka-parīkṣā (Testing and Appointment of Servants) and Rājadharma Outcomes

Devanagari script

निरालस्याः सुसन्तुष्टाः प्रतिबोधकाः / सुखदुः खसमा धीरा भृत्या लोकेषु दुर्लभाः

Transliteration

nirālasyāḥ susantuṣṭāḥ pratibodhakāḥ / sukhaduḥ khasamā dhīrā bhṛtyā lokeṣu durlabhāḥ

Translation

Diener, die frei von Trägheit sind, wahrhaft zufrieden, zur rechten Zeit ermahnend und beratend, und standhaft—gleichmütig in Freude und Schmerz—sind in der Welt selten.

Word by Word

• निरालस्याः: not lazy/energetic
• निरालस्याः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निरालस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (भृत्याः इति) — Masculine, Nominative, Plural; adjective

• सु: well/very
• सु: Sambandha/Modifier (सम्बन्ध/विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सु (अव्यय/उपसर्ग)
• Form: उपसर्ग/प्रत्ययार्थक-अव्ययम् (intensifier) — prefix/intensifier

• सन्तुष्टाः: content/satisfied
• सन्तुष्टाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सन्तुष्ट (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) < √तुष् (धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त), विशेषणम् — Masculine, Nominative, Plural; past participle

• प्रतिबोधकाः: advisers/awakeners (those who warn)
• प्रतिबोधकाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतिबोधक (प्रातिपदिक) < √बुध् (धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• सुख: happiness
• सुख: Sambandha/Modifier (सम्बन्ध/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपदम् — prior member in compound

• दुःख: sorrow
• दुःख: Sambandha/Modifier (सम्बन्ध/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुःख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपदम् — prior member in compound

• समाः: equal (in)
• समाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; सुखदुःखसम (द्वन्द्व-आधारितः: सुखे दुःखे च समाः) — Masculine, Nominative, Plural; equanimous in pleasure and pain

• धीराः: steadfast/wise
• धीराः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (भृत्याः इति) — Masculine, Nominative, Plural; adjective

• भृत्याः: servants
• भृत्याः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भृत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• लोकेषु: in the world(s)
• लोकेषु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), बहुवचन — Masculine, Locative, Plural

• दुर्लभाः: rare to find
• दुर्लभाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर्लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (भृत्याः इति) — Masculine, Nominative, Plural; adjective

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ideal service is marked by diligence, contentment, timely counsel, and sama-buddhi (equanimity); such character is rare.

Vedantic Theme: Sama-duḥkha-sukha (equanimity) as sattvic maturity; karma-yoga attitude—steady mind amid outcomes.

Application: Cultivate workplace ‘sama-buddhi’: train for emotional regulation, encourage intrinsic motivation, and reward constructive counsel and reliability.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: society/kingdom (general)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.112 (qualities of good servants/assistants)

FAQs

What is the importance of equanimity (sukha-duḥkha-samatā) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats equal-mindedness in pleasure and pain as a defining mark of a truly dependable person—steadiness is presented as a rare and valuable dharmic quality.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it emphasizes inner discipline—contentment, alertness, and steadiness—which support dharmic living; such virtues are repeatedly upheld in Purāṇic teaching as foundations for spiritual progress.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice reliability in duties: avoid procrastination, cultivate contentment, offer honest guidance when needed, and train emotional balance so decisions aren’t driven by pleasure or distress.