Shloka 3

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

Devanagari script

यथा चतुर्भिः कनकं परीक्ष्यते निघर्षणच्छेदनतापताडनैः / तथा चतुर्भिर्भृतकं परीक्षयेद्वतेन शीलेन कलेन कर्मणा

Transliteration

yathā caturbhiḥ kanakaṃ parīkṣyate nigharṣaṇacchedanatāpatāḍanaiḥ / tathā caturbhirbhṛtakaṃ parīkṣayedvatena śīlena kalena karmaṇā

Translation

Just as gold is tested in four ways—by rubbing, cutting, heating, and hammering—so too should a hired servant be tested in four ways: by his vows (discipline), his conduct, his skill, and his work.

Word by Word

• यथा: just as
• यथा: Sambandha (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, उपमानार्थक (comparative adverb)

• चतुर्भिः: by four (means)
• चतुर्भिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; करण (instrumental)

• कनकम्: gold
• कनकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कनक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; कर्म

• परीक्ष्यते: is examined
• परीक्ष्यते: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ईक्ष् (धातु) + परि (उपसर्ग)
• Form: लट् (Present/वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive)

• निघर्षण: rubbing, abrasion
• निघर्षण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नि + घृष् (धातु) ; निघर्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (समासाङ्ग); समाहार-क्रिया-नाम

• च्छेदन: cutting
• च्छेदन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: छिद् (धातु) ; छेदन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (समासाङ्ग); क्रिया-नाम

• ताप: heating
• ताप: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तप् (धातु) ; ताप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (समासाङ्ग); उष्णता/तापन

• ताडनैः: by striking/hammering
• ताडनैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ताडन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; करण

• निघर्षणच्छेदनतापताडनैः: by rubbing, cutting, heating, and striking
• निघर्षणच्छेदनतापताडनैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निघर्षण + छेदन + ताप + ताडन (प्रातिपदिक-समूह)
• Form: समाहार-द्वन्द्व (copulative collective), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; करण

• तथा: so, likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, तथैव-निर्देशक (correlative adverb)

• चतुर्भिः: by four (means)
• चतुर्भिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; करण

• भृतकम्: a hired servant
• भृतकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भृतक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; कर्म

• परीक्षयेत्: one should examine
• परीक्षयेत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ईक्ष् (धातु) + परि (उपसर्ग)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधिलिङ्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• व्रतेन: by conduct/vow
• व्रतेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; करण

• शीलेन: by character
• शीलेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; करण

• कलेन: by skill/ability
• कलेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; करण; अर्थः—कौशल/कला

• कर्मणा: by work/deeds
• कर्मणा: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; करण

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Human reliability is tested like gold—through multiple trials: discipline (vrata), conduct (śīla), skill (kalā), and work (karma).

Vedantic Theme: Guṇa-karma assessment: outer role should match inner disposition and proven action; discernment (viveka) in worldly dealings.

Application: Use multi-factor evaluation: ethics, behavior, skill demonstration, and track record; avoid single-metric judgments.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.112.2 introduces the topic; 1.112.4-6 apply it to specific offices.

FAQs

What is the importance of testing character in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches that trust should be based on verified discipline, conduct, competence, and actual deeds—like testing gold—so decisions align with dharma rather than appearances.

How does this verse connect to Garuda Purana’s broader moral teaching?

It reinforces the Purana’s emphasis on karma and śīla (conduct): a person’s worth is confirmed through consistent behavior and actions, not claims or status.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Evaluate people (employees, partners, helpers) through integrity, daily behavior, demonstrated skills, and proven results—especially under pressure—before placing responsibility or trust.