Shloka 8

Lakṣaṇas of Men: Feet, Shanks, Hair, Genitals, Abdomen, and Lines of Longevity

Forehead & Palm

Devanagari script

प्रलम्बवृषणो ऽल्पायुर्निर्द्रव्यः कुमणिर्भवेत् / पाण्डुरैर्मलिनैश्चैव मणिभिश्च सुखी नरः

Transliteration

pralambavṛṣaṇo 'lpāyurnirdravyaḥ kumaṇirbhavet / pāṇḍurairmalinaiścaiva maṇibhiśca sukhī naraḥ

Translation

الرجل الذي يلبس جواهر رديئة (غير ميمونة) تصير خصيتاه متدلّيتين، ويقصر عمره وتذهب ثروته. ومع ذلك، بلبس أحجار شاحبةٍ معيبة قد يعيش الرجل في سعة وراحة.

Word by Word

• प्रलम्बवृषणः: having pendulous testicles
• प्रलम्बवृषणः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रलम्ब (प्रातिपदिक) + वृषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (प्रलम्बे वृषणे यस्य = having hanging testicles)

• अल्पायुः: short-lived
• अल्पायुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अल्प (प्रातिपदिक) + आयुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (अल्पम् आयुः यस्य)

• निर्द्रव्यः: without property
• निर्द्रव्यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर् (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + द्रव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (निर्द्रव्यः = without wealth)

• कुमणिः: a bad gem
• कुमणिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + मणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (कु-मणिः = bad/inauspicious gem)

• भवेत्: would be/become
• भवेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• पाण्डुरैः: with pale (ones)
• पाण्डुरैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पाण्डुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; करण (instrumental)

• मलिनैः: with dirty/tarnished (ones)
• मलिनैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मलिन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; विशेषणं मणिभिः

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Conjunction/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण

• मणिभिः: with gems
• मणिभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; करण (instrumental)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Conjunction/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय

• सुखी: happy
• सुखी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुखिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषण

• नरः: a man
• नरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra in instructional discourse)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Material objects—especially gems—are framed as conduits or indicators of karmic fortune affecting longevity and wealth; outcomes can be mixed and non-linear.

Vedantic Theme: Interplay of prārabdha (fixed allotment) with upāya (remedial measures) and symbolic supports; the world as a web of subtle causality.

Application: Be discerning with talismans and luxury spending; prioritize ethical living over superstition, and treat ‘remedies’ as secondary supports.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: gem/maṇi lore passages (ratna-śāstra style) on auspicious/inauspicious stones; Garuda Purana: dāna and vrata as superior correctives compared to mere ornament

FAQs

What is the importance of gemstone quality in the Garuda Purana?

This verse links inferior or inauspicious gems (kumaṇi) with tangible misfortunes—reduced vitality, loss of wealth, and bodily affliction—implying that selection and suitability matter.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana?

Indirectly: it frames embodied life as shaped by causes and conditions (including what one adopts or wears), reinforcing the Purana’s broader theme that choices influence wellbeing and one’s karmic trajectory.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Avoid wearing damaged/inauspicious stones casually; prioritize discernment, cleanliness, and suitability (with competent guidance) rather than superstition—treating gems as optional aids, not substitutes for dharma and right conduct.