Shloka 10

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

Devanagari script

पितृपैतामहो दक्षः शास्त्रज्ञः सत्यवाचकः / शुचिश्च कठिनश्चैव सूपकारः स उच्यते

Transliteration

pitṛpaitāmaho dakṣaḥ śāstrajñaḥ satyavācakaḥ / śuciśca kaṭhinaścaiva sūpakāraḥ sa ucyate

Translation

Mindful of the rites for the ancestors and forefathers, capable, learned in the scriptures, truthful in speech, pure, and firm—such a person is called a sūpakāra, a good cook.

Word by Word

• पितृपैतामहः: (knowing) paternal and ancestral (matters)
• पितृपैतामहः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक) + पैतामह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (पितृश्च पैतामहश्च) (Masculine, Nominative singular; dvandva)

• दक्षः: skilled, capable
• दक्षः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (Masculine, Nominative singular; adjective)

• शास्त्रज्ञः: knower of śāstra
• शास्त्रज्ञः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + ज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (शास्त्रस्य ज्ञः) (Masculine, Nominative singular)

• सत्यवाचकः: truthful speaker
• सत्यवाचकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक) + वाचक (प्रातिपदिक; √वच् (धातु) + ण्वुल्/क)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष (सत्यं वाचयति/वदति) (Masculine, Nominative singular)

• शुचिः: pure, clean
• शुचिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुचि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (Masculine, Nominative singular; adjective)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Connector
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• कठिनः: hard, tough
• कठिनः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कठिन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (Masculine, Nominative singular; adjective)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Connector
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha/Emphasis
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-निपात (emphasis)

• सूपकारः: cook
• सूपकारः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूप (प्रातिपदिक) + कार (प्रातिपदिक; √कृ (धातु) + घञ्/कार)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (सूपं करोति) (Masculine, Nominative singular)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; सर्वनाम (Masculine, Nominative singular; pronoun)

• उच्यते: is called
• उच्यते: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वच् (धातु) ; उच्यते
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग (Passive) (is called)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (teaching Garuḍa)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Śrāddha occasions (parva tithis) and ancestral observances (implied)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sevā and śauca in domestic/ritual duties: even a cook must be śāstra-jña, truthful, pure, and firm, especially when serving pitṛ rites.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga orientation: ordinary work sanctified by purity, truth, and right intention; dharma permeates daily life.

Application: Treat food service—especially in ritual/community contexts—as a trust: cleanliness, truthfulness, competence, and steadiness; honor family/ancestral obligations responsibly.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: household/ritual kitchen (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: extensive śrāddha and pitṛ-kārya sections where purity and proper preparation of offerings are emphasized (general internal parallel)

Characters & Entities

• Pitṛs

FAQs

What is the importance of purity and truthfulness in Garuda Purana ritual contexts?

This verse links ritual fitness to inner and outer purity and truthful speech, implying that offerings for the Pitṛs should be prepared by a disciplined, ethically sound person for the rite to be spiritually effective.

How does this verse relate to death rituals like śrāddha and pinda-dāna?

By defining a ‘proper cook’ as one aligned with pitṛ-rites and śāstra, the verse indicates that the person preparing ritual food for ancestor ceremonies must be qualified, ensuring the śrāddha/pinda offerings are performed according to dharma.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

For any sacred offering or family rite, prioritize cleanliness, truthful conduct, and adherence to authentic procedure—choose or become a preparer who is disciplined and respectful of the tradition.