Shloka 6

Characteristics of the King and His Servants

Rāja-dharma, Nīti, and Ethical Revenue

Devanagari script

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन पृथिवीमनुपालयेन् / पालकस्य भवेद्भूमिः कीर्तिरायुर्यशो बलम्

Transliteration

tasmātsarvaprayatnena pṛthivīmanupālayen / pālakasya bhavedbhūmiḥ kīrtirāyuryaśo balam

Translation

Por ello, con todo empeño debe uno proteger y gobernar rectamente la tierra. Para el guardián del país, la tierra se vuelve fuente de fama, larga vida, buen nombre y fortaleza.

Word by Word

• तस्मात्: therefore/from that
• तस्मात्: Apadana (Ablative cause/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/अपादान), एकवचन; हेत्वर्थे (therefore/from that)

• सर्वप्रयत्नेन: with every effort
• सर्वप्रयत्नेन: Karana (Instrument/means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + प्रयत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (सर्वः प्रयत्नः)

• पृथिवीम्: the earth (realm)
• पृथिवीम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृथिवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• अनुपालयेत्: should protect/govern
• अनुपालयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु + पाल् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• पालकस्य: of the protector/ruler
• पालकस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पालक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• भवेत्: would be/becomes
• भवेत्: Kriya (Copula/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• भूमिः: land/earth
• भूमिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूमि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), एकवचन

• कीर्तिः: fame
• कीर्तिः: Karta (Co-subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कीर्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• आयुः: lifespan
• आयुः: Karta (Co-subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आयुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• यशः: glory
• यशः: Karta (Co-subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यशस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• बलम्: strength
• बलम्: Karta (Co-subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ruler’s foremost duty is protection (pālana); righteous governance generates tangible and intangible fruits.

Vedantic Theme: Loka-saṅgraha through svadharma; merit accrues by sustaining beings rather than self-serving enjoyment.

Application: Prioritize security, justice, irrigation, famine relief, and impartial administration; treat governance as service with accountability.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: realm/territory

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: rājadharma passages emphasizing protection as the king’s yajña; Garuda Purana: praise of dāna and protection of dependents as sources of kīrti

FAQs

What is the importance of protecting the earth (pṛthivī) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames protection of the realm as a core duty of dharma; the ruler who maintains and safeguards the land gains tangible and spiritual fruits such as fame, longevity, honor, and strength.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana context?

While not describing after-death travel directly, it teaches karma through duty: righteous governance (anupālana) is a meritorious action whose results accompany the doer, shaping wellbeing and reputation in this life and merit beyond.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Lead or serve with stewardship: protect people and resources, administer fairly, and prioritize public welfare—ethical responsibility brings stability, credibility, and inner strength.