Shloka 7
Characteristics of the King and His Servants
Rāja-dharma, Nīti, and Ethical Revenue
आभ्यर्च्य विष्णुं धर्मात्मा गोब्राह्मणहिते रतः / प्रजाः पालयितुं शक्तः पार्थिवो विजितेन्द्रियः
ābhyarcya viṣṇuṃ dharmātmā gobrāhmaṇahite rataḥ / prajāḥ pālayituṃ śaktaḥ pārthivo vijitendriyaḥ
विधिपूर्वक विष्णूची आराधना करून, धर्मात्मा राजा—गो-ब्राह्मणहितात रत व इंद्रियनिग्रही—प्रजांचे पालन करण्यास समर्थ होतो।
Lord Viṣṇu (to Garuḍa/Vinātā-putra), contextually within dharma instruction
Concept: Devotion to Viṣṇu and self-restraint empower righteous governance; welfare of cows and brāhmaṇas sustains dharma.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-prasāda and indriya-nigraha as supports for right action; bhakti harmonizes power with humility.
Application: Leaders cultivate inner discipline, ethical counsel, and reverence for learning and non-violence; protect vulnerable communities and institutions of education and ritual.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: royal court/temple context (implied)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: Viṣṇu-bhakti as purifier and stabilizer of conduct; Garuda Purana: praise of go-brāhmaṇa-hita as dharma-protection
FAQs
This verse treats protection of cows and the well-being of brāhmaṇas as a hallmark of dharmic rule, indicating a king’s commitment to sustaining social-spiritual order and ethical governance.
It does not directly describe the soul’s post-death journey; instead, it presents the dharmic foundation—Viṣṇu worship and self-control—that purifies conduct and supports good karma, which the Garuḍa Purāṇa elsewhere links to favorable outcomes after death.
Cultivate self-restraint, align leadership (personal or civic) with dharma, and prioritize the protection and upliftment of vulnerable dependents—seen here through the traditional ideals of caring for cows and supporting ethical spiritual education.