Shloka 8

Characteristics of the King and His Servants

Rāja-dharma, Nīti, and Ethical Revenue

Devanagari script

ऐश्वर्यमध्रुवं प्राप्य राजा धर्मे मतिञ्चरेत् / क्षणेन विभवो नश्येन्नात्मायत्तं धनादिकम्

Transliteration

aiśvaryamadhruvaṃ prāpya rājā dharme matiñcaret / kṣaṇena vibhavo naśyennātmāyattaṃ dhanādikam

Translation

無常なる王権を得たなら、王は心をダルマへと向けるべきである。繁栄は一瞬にして滅び、財宝などは真に己の支配下にはないからである。

Word by Word

• ऐश्वर्यम्: sovereignty/power
• ऐश्वर्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऐश्वर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• अध्रुवम्: unstable/impermanent
• अध्रुवम्: Karma (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अध्रुव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ऐश्वर्यम्-विशेषण

• प्राप्य: having obtained
• प्राप्य: Sambandha (Prior action/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्र + आप् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund), पूर्वक्रिया

• राजा: the king
• राजा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), एकवचन

• धर्मे: in righteousness/dharma
• धर्मे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• मतिम्: mind/intent
• मतिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• चरेत्: should conduct/should apply
• चरेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• क्षणेन: in a moment
• क्षणेन: Karana (Time-instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; काल-करणे (in a moment)

• विभवः: wealth/prosperity
• विभवः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विभव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• नश्येत्: may perish/vanish
• नश्येत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नश् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Sentence particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय

• आत्मायत्तम्: dependent on oneself/under one’s control
• आत्मायत्तम्: Karta (Predicate qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आत्मन् + आयत्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (आत्मनि आयत्तम् = dependent on oneself)

• धनादिकम्: wealth and the like
• धनादिकम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (धनम् आदि यस्य/धनादि)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinātā-putra, within the Garuḍa Purāṇa dialogue frame)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Aiśvarya and wealth are adhruva (unstable); therefore fix the mind in dharma, not in possessions.

Vedantic Theme: Anitya-viveka (discernment of impermanence) leading to vairāgya; agency is limited—results are not fully ‘self-controlled’.

Application: Practice humility in success; build ethical habits and institutions; plan for reversals; avoid arrogance and attachment to status.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: royal sphere (sovereignty)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: teachings on anitya of body/wealth in dharma and preta contexts (general puranic motif); Garuda Purana: exhortations to dharma as the only companion

FAQs

What is the importance of impermanence (adhruvatva) in the Garuḍa Purāṇa?

This verse stresses that power and wealth can vanish instantly, so one should prioritize dharma over attachment to status or possessions.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By implying that external prosperity is unreliable and not truly ‘self-controlled,’ it directs attention to dharma as the lasting support for one’s welfare beyond changing worldly conditions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Lead and make decisions ethically, avoid arrogance from success, and invest daily effort in dharma—since money, position, and influence are uncertain.