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
Người chép sách, người đọc, người kế toán, kẻ cản trở việc người khác, và vị vua ham lười—trong mọi bổn phận, luôn nên tránh dùng những hạng ấy.
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.