Shloka 13
Sevaka-parīkṣā (Testing and Appointment of Servants) and Rājadharma Outcomes
लेखकः पाठकश्चैव गणकः प्रतिरोधकः / आलस्ययुक्तश्चैद्राजा कर्म संवर्जयेत्सदा
lekhakaḥ pāṭhakaścaiva gaṇakaḥ pratirodhakaḥ / ālasyayuktaścaidrājā karma saṃvarjayetsadā
เสมียน ผู้ท่องอ่าน ผู้คำนวณ ผู้ขัดขวางงานผู้อื่น และพระราชาผู้เกียจคร้าน—บุคคลเช่นนี้พึงหลีกเลี่ยงในการงานอยู่เสมอ
Lord Vishnu
Concept: कार्यसिद्धि requires योग्य-पुरुष-नियोजन; avoid those whose roles or dispositions breed obstruction, delay, or negligence (ālasyayukta).
Vedantic Theme: Rajas-tamas as causes of pramāda (heedlessness) and social harm; dharmic action demands viveka and accountability.
Application: Screen for competence and character; avoid chronic obstructionists and the habitually lazy in critical duties; create checks against delay, corruption, and sabotage.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Type: bureaucratic/royal administration
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (dharma/rājadharma passages): warnings against bad counsel, negligence, and obstructive agents
FAQs
This verse stresses that administrative roles shape dharma in practice; unreliable or lazy personnel can corrupt duty and obstruct rightful action.
Indirectly, it links worldly conduct with karmic outcomes: neglect of duty and obstruction create negative karma that affects one’s post-death consequences described elsewhere in the Purana.
Avoid placing chronically lazy, obstructive, or unaccountable people in roles requiring trust; build systems that reward diligence, transparency, and timely completion of duty.