Shloka 67
Kāraṇānvēṣaṇam: The 32 Marks of Hari, Defects (Doṣas), Death-Omens, and Hari’s Omnipresence in Social & Household Life
षद्गुणैः क्षितिपा युक्ता षड्विंशत्या च दोषतः / तदन्ये पञ्चभिर्युक्ताश्चतुर्भिः केचिदेव च
ṣadguṇaiḥ kṣitipā yuktā ṣaḍviṃśatyā ca doṣataḥ / tadanye pañcabhiryuktāścaturbhiḥ kecideva ca
राजे सहा गुणांनी युक्त असतात, पण सव्वीस दोषांनीही चिन्हित असतात। इतर शासक पाच गुणांनी युक्त, आणि काही तर केवळ चार गुणांनीच युक्त असतात।
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra, describing dharmic evaluation of rulers)
Concept: Rulership is measured by virtues yet remains vulnerable to many faults; not all rulers meet the same standard.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma operates within prakriti; role-based excellence is relative and conditioned, not ultimate.
Application: In leadership evaluation (personal or civic), weigh competencies against liabilities; build checks, counsel, and self-discipline to reduce ‘doshas’.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.22.68-69 (gradation and non-absoluteness of superiority)
FAQs
This verse frames kingship as morally accountable: even when a ruler has key virtues, many faults can still arise, so governance must be measured by dharma rather than power.
By emphasizing faults alongside virtues, the text implies that a ruler’s actions are weighed ethically; leadership choices generate merit or demerit, which later influence karmic outcomes.
Evaluate leaders—and one’s own authority roles—by consistent virtues and reduction of harmful tendencies; cultivate accountability, self-restraint, and fairness in decision-making.