Shloka 2

Characteristics of the King and His Servants

Rāja-dharma, Nīti, and Ethical Revenue

Devanagari script

राज्यं पालयते नित्यं सत्यधर्मपरायणः / निर्जित्य परसैन्यानि क्षितं धर्मेण पालयेत्

Transliteration

rājyaṃ pālayate nityaṃ satyadharmaparāyaṇaḥ / nirjitya parasainyāni kṣitaṃ dharmeṇa pālayet

Translation

सत्यधर्मपरायणः स नित्यं राज्यं पालयेत्। परसैन्यानि निर्जित्य क्षितिं धर्मेण पालयेत्॥

Word by Word

• rājyam: kingdom
• rājyam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• pālayate: protects/governs
• pālayate: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pāl (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• nityam: always
• nityam: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nitya (अव्ययवत्)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: always)

• satya-dharma-parāyaṇaḥ: devoted to truth and righteousness
• satya-dharma-parāyaṇaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: satya (प्रातिपदिक) + dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + parāyaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (सत्ये धर्मे च परायणः)

• nirjitya: having conquered
• nirjitya: Kriya-visheshana (Prior action/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nir + ji (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive)

• para-sainyāni: enemy armies
• para-sainyāni: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक) + sainya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (पराणि सैन्यानि)

• kṣitam: the earth/land
• kṣitam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣiti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• dharmeṇa: by righteousness
• dharmeṇa: Karana (Means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• pālayet: should protect/govern
• pālayet: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pāl (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Even after victory, rule must be grounded in satya and dharma; protection is continuous, not episodic.

Vedantic Theme: Loka-saṅgraha through dharmic action; restraint of power by ethical law.

Application: Use power with accountability; after conflict, prioritize just administration, protection of civilians, and restoration of order under ethical norms.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: kingdom/territory

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana raja-dharma: satya-dharma as king’s foundation; protection of subjects

FAQs

What is the importance of rajadharma (kingly duty) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames rulership as a moral duty: a ruler must protect the realm and administer it through satya (truth) and dharma (righteous law), not merely through power.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it links one’s role (here, a ruler) to dharmic conduct: governing by truth and righteousness is karma that supports auspicious outcomes after death, a recurring Garuda Purana theme.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Lead or manage with integrity: act truthfully, uphold ethical rules, and use authority to protect others—especially after achieving success or victory.