Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

मेधावी वाक्पटुः प्राज्ञः सत्यवादी जितेन्द्रियः / सर्वशास्त्रसमालोकी ह्येष साधुः स लेखकः

Transliteration

medhāvī vākpaṭuḥ prājñaḥ satyavādī jitendriyaḥ / sarvaśāstrasamālokī hyeṣa sādhuḥ sa lekhakaḥ

Translation

He is intelligent, eloquent, wise, truthful, and self-controlled; well-versed in the study of all śāstras—such a man is a sādhū, righteous and fit to be a scribe.

Word by Word

• मेधावी: intelligent, wise
• मेधावी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मेधाविन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (Masculine, Nominative singular; adjective)

• वाक्पटुः: skilled in speech, eloquent
• वाक्पटुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वाक् (प्रातिपदिक) + पटु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (वाचः पटुः) (Masculine, Nominative singular; genitive tatpurusha)

• प्राज्ञः: learned, discerning
• प्राज्ञः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्राज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (Masculine, Nominative singular; adjective)

• सत्यवादी: truth-speaking
• सत्यवादी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक) + वादिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष (सत्यं वदति) (Masculine, Nominative singular; tatpurusha)

• जितेन्द्रियः: self-controlled
• जितेन्द्रियः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जित (कृदन्त; √जि (धातु) + क्त) + इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-समास (जितानि इन्द्रियाणि यस्य) (Masculine, Nominative singular; compound meaning 'one whose senses are conquered')

• सर्वशास्त्रसमालोकी: one who has surveyed all scriptures
• सर्वशास्त्रसमालोकी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + समालोकिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (सर्वेषां शास्त्राणां समालोकी) (Masculine, Nominative singular; tatpurusha)

• हि: indeed, for
• हि: Sambandha/Discourse particle
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; emphatic/causal)

• एषः: this (man)
• एषः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; सर्वनाम (Masculine, Nominative singular; pronoun)

• साधुः: good, virtuous
• साधुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: साधु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (Masculine, Nominative singular; adjective)

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

• लेखकः: scribe, writer
• लेखकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लेखक (प्रातिपदिक; √लिख् (धातु) + ण्वुल्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन (Masculine, Nominative singular)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Adhikāra (fitness) for office arises from satya, indriya-jaya, and śāstra-jñāna; writing is a dharmic responsibility requiring integrity.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-śuddhi as the basis for right action and reliable knowledge; discipline of senses supports truthful speech and accurate record.

Application: Choose record-keepers/clerks by character and competence: truthfulness, self-control, and broad literacy; treat documentation as a moral act.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Pretakalpa/Dharmakanda): general emphasis on satya, indriya-nigraha, and śāstra-jñāna as qualifications for dharmic roles

FAQs

What is the importance of a lekhaka (scribe) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse defines the ethical and intellectual qualifications of a scribe: truthfulness, self-control, eloquence, and competence in śāstras—implying that sacred knowledge should be transmitted only by disciplined and reliable persons.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing truthfulness and sense-control as core dharmic virtues, it supports the broader Purāṇic view that one’s character and conduct shape karmic outcomes and spiritual progress.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When writing, teaching, or sharing religious/ethical content, prioritize accuracy, truthfulness, disciplined habits, and study from authentic sources—so knowledge is preserved without distortion.