Shloka 19

Sevaka-parīkṣā (Testing and Appointment of Servants) and Rājadharma Outcomes

Devanagari script

निरालस्याः सुसन्तुष्टाः प्रतिबोधकाः / सुखदुः खसमा धीरा भृत्या लोकेषु दुर्लभाः

Transliteration

nirālasyāḥ susantuṣṭāḥ pratibodhakāḥ / sukhaduḥ khasamā dhīrā bhṛtyā lokeṣu durlabhāḥ

Translation

ఆలస్యరహితులు, సంతుష్టులు, సమయానుసారం బోధించి హెచ్చరించగలవారు, సుఖదుఃఖాలలో సమబుద్ధి గల ధీరులు—ఇలాంటి భృత్యులు లోకంలో దుర్లభులు।

Word by Word

• निरालस्याः: not lazy/energetic
• निरालस्याः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निरालस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (भृत्याः इति) — Masculine, Nominative, Plural; adjective

• सु: well/very
• सु: Sambandha/Modifier (सम्बन्ध/विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सु (अव्यय/उपसर्ग)
• Form: उपसर्ग/प्रत्ययार्थक-अव्ययम् (intensifier) — prefix/intensifier

• सन्तुष्टाः: content/satisfied
• सन्तुष्टाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सन्तुष्ट (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) < √तुष् (धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त), विशेषणम् — Masculine, Nominative, Plural; past participle

• प्रतिबोधकाः: advisers/awakeners (those who warn)
• प्रतिबोधकाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतिबोधक (प्रातिपदिक) < √बुध् (धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• सुख: happiness
• सुख: Sambandha/Modifier (सम्बन्ध/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपदम् — prior member in compound

• दुःख: sorrow
• दुःख: Sambandha/Modifier (सम्बन्ध/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुःख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपदम् — prior member in compound

• समाः: equal (in)
• समाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; सुखदुःखसम (द्वन्द्व-आधारितः: सुखे दुःखे च समाः) — Masculine, Nominative, Plural; equanimous in pleasure and pain

• धीराः: steadfast/wise
• धीराः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (भृत्याः इति) — Masculine, Nominative, Plural; adjective

• भृत्याः: servants
• भृत्याः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भृत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• लोकेषु: in the world(s)
• लोकेषु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), बहुवचन — Masculine, Locative, Plural

• दुर्लभाः: rare to find
• दुर्लभाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर्लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (भृत्याः इति) — Masculine, Nominative, Plural; adjective

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ideal service is marked by diligence, contentment, timely counsel, and sama-buddhi (equanimity); such character is rare.

Vedantic Theme: Sama-duḥkha-sukha (equanimity) as sattvic maturity; karma-yoga attitude—steady mind amid outcomes.

Application: Cultivate workplace ‘sama-buddhi’: train for emotional regulation, encourage intrinsic motivation, and reward constructive counsel and reliability.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: society/kingdom (general)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.112 (qualities of good servants/assistants)

FAQs

What is the importance of equanimity (sukha-duḥkha-samatā) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats equal-mindedness in pleasure and pain as a defining mark of a truly dependable person—steadiness is presented as a rare and valuable dharmic quality.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it emphasizes inner discipline—contentment, alertness, and steadiness—which support dharmic living; such virtues are repeatedly upheld in Purāṇic teaching as foundations for spiritual progress.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice reliability in duties: avoid procrastination, cultivate contentment, offer honest guidance when needed, and train emotional balance so decisions aren’t driven by pleasure or distress.