Shloka 25

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

Devanagari script

तस्माद्भूमीश्वरः प्राज्ञं धर्मकामार्थसाधने / नियोज येद्धिसततं गोब्राह्मणहिताय वै

Transliteration

tasmādbhūmīśvaraḥ prājñaṃ dharmakāmārthasādhane / niyoja yeddhisatataṃ gobrāhmaṇahitāya vai

Translation

C’est pourquoi le seigneur de la terre doit sans cesse établir un homme sage pour accomplir dharma, kāma et artha—oui, pour le bien des vaches et des brāhmaṇas.

Word by Word

• tasmāt: therefore/from that
• tasmāt: Hetu (Reason/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (5th/Ablative), एकवचन

• bhūmīśvaraḥ: the ruler of the land
• bhūmīśvaraḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūmi + īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (bhūmeḥ īśvaraḥ)

• prājñam: a wise man
• prājñam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prājña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• dharma-kāma-artha-sādhane: in the pursuit/means of dharma, desire, and wealth
• dharma-kāma-artha-sādhane: Adhikarana (Domain/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma + kāma + artha + sādhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वः (dharmaśca kāmaśca arthaśca) + तत्पुरुष-सम्बन्ध (teṣāṃ sādhane)

• niyojayet: should appoint
• niyojayet: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni + yuj (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्; णिच् (appoint/engage)

• hi: indeed/for
• hi: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; हेत्वर्थ/निश्चयार्थक (for/indeed)

• satatam: constantly
• satatam: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: satata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (always/constantly)

• go-brāhmaṇa-hitāya: for the welfare of cows and Brahmins
• go-brāhmaṇa-hitāya: Sampradana (Beneficiary/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: go + brāhmaṇa + hita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व (go-brāhmaṇa) + चतुर्थी-तत्पुरुष (tayor hitāya)

• vai: indeed
• vai: Sambandha (Emphasis/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निश्चयार्थक/खलु-अर्थ (indeed)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ruler should appoint the wise to accomplish dharma-kāma-artha, prioritizing go-brāhmaṇa-hita as a marker of righteous rule.

Vedantic Theme: Lokasaṅgraha (maintenance of social order) through dharmic leadership; harmonizing puruṣārthas under dharma.

Application: Choose competent, ethical advisors; align policy with protection of vulnerable and custodians of knowledge; balance prosperity and pleasure under moral law.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: kingdom/governance sphere

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.112 (rāja-dharma; appointment of the wise)

Characters & Entities

• Bhūmīśvara (king)
• Go (cows)
• Brāhmaṇas

FAQs

What is the importance of go-brāhmaṇa-hita (welfare of cows and brāhmaṇas) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats their welfare as a core benchmark of righteous governance, indicating that protecting and supporting them sustains dharma and social stability.

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

Indirectly: it frames ethical governance and dharma-centered action as foundational merit (puṇya), which the Garuda Purana repeatedly connects with favorable post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Place wise, ethically grounded leadership in charge of public welfare, and prioritize protection of vulnerable life and custodians of learning—so prosperity and social harmony align with dharma.