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
அரசர்கள் ஆறு குணங்களால் யுக்தராயினும், இருபத்தாறு தோஷங்களாலும் குறிக்கப்படுவர். பிற ஆளுநர் ஐந்து குணங்களால், சிலர் நான்கு குணங்களால் மட்டுமே யுக்தர்.
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.