Shloka 6

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

Devanagari script

इङ्गिताकारतत्त्वज्ञो बलवान् प्रियदर्शनः / अप्रमादी प्रमाथी च प्रतीहारः स उच्यते

Transliteration

iṅgitākāratattvajño balavān priyadarśanaḥ / apramādī pramāthī ca pratīhāraḥ sa ucyate

Translation

通晓他人举止与外相之意，身强力健、仪容可亲，不懈怠而行事果断者，是名为“普罗提诃罗”(pratīhāra，侍从守门之官)。

Word by Word

• इङ्गिताकारतत्त्वज्ञः: knower of gestures, expressions, and reality
• इङ्गिताकारतत्त्वज्ञः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इङ्गित + आकार + तत्त्व + ज्ञ (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; 'ज्ञ' (ज्ञा धातोः क्त/प्रातिपदिक) — कर्तरि (knower)

• बलवान्: strong
• बलवान्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बलवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त; विशेषणम्

• प्रियदर्शनः: pleasant-looking
• प्रियदर्शनः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रिय + दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (प्रियं दर्शनं यस्य/प्रियदर्शनः); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• अप्रमादी: vigilant, not careless
• अप्रमादी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ + प्रमादिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; नञ्-समास/उपसर्ग; विशेषणम्

• प्रमाथी: forceful, energetic
• प्रमाथी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र + मथ् (धातु) ; प्रमाथिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक निपात (conjunction)

• प्रतीहारः: doorkeeper, chamberlain
• प्रतीहारः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतीहार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; कर्तृपद (designation)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; कर्तृपद (pronoun)

• उच्यते: is called
• उच्यते: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present/वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: A pratīhāra must read gestures and expressions, be strong and pleasing, vigilant (apramāda) and capable of decisive action.

Vedantic Theme: Aparamāda (non-negligence) as a virtue; disciplined attention as dharmic practice in one’s station.

Application: For security/attendant roles, prioritize situational awareness, emotional intelligence, reliability, and calm decisiveness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: gateway/anteroom

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.112.2-5 on role-based qualifications; this verse specifies the gatekeeper/chamberlain archetype.

FAQs

What is the importance of a pratīhāra in the Garuda Purana?

This verse defines the ideal pratīhāra as an observant, vigilant, strong, and presentable attendant who understands people’s intentions through signs—highlighting dharmic standards for trustworthy service.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly describe the soul’s journey; instead, it teaches dharma through role-based virtues—discernment and vigilance—which the Purana frames as supportive of righteous living.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate attentiveness to context, reliability (non-negligence), and firm but ethical action—qualities valuable in security, caregiving, administration, and any role requiring trust.