Shloka 10

Purusha-Strī-Lakṣaṇa (Samudrika-śāstra): Marks of Kingship, Wealth, Longevity, and Conduct

Devanagari script

महद्भिरायुराख्यातं ह्यल्पलिङ्गो धनी नरः / अपत्यरहितश्चैव स्थूललिङ्गो घनोज्झितः

Transliteration

mahadbhirāyurākhyātaṃ hyalpaliṅgo dhanī naraḥ / apatyarahitaścaiva sthūlaliṅgo ghanojjhitaḥ

Translation

يُخبر الشيوخ أن الرجل ذا العلامة الجسدية الصغيرة يكون غنيًّا؛ ومن لا ذرية له تكون علامته كبيرة؛ وأمّا من خلا من السِّمنة فإن الثروة تهجره.

Word by Word

• महद्भिः: by/with great (ones)
• महद्भिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• आयुः: lifespan
• आयुः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आयुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd Nom/Acc), एकवचन

• आख्यातम्: is declared/said
• आख्यातम्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रियाविशेषण-प्रायः)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + ख्या (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—क्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; अर्थः ‘कथितम्/उक्तम्’

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: Sambandha (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; emphasis/causal)

• अल्पलिङ्गः: having a small organ
• अल्पलिङ्गः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अल्प + लिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (अल्पं लिङ्गं यस्य)

• धनी: wealthy
• धनी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धनिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

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

• अपत्यरहितः: devoid of offspring
• अपत्यरहितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अपत्य + रहित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (अपत्येन रहितः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय (particle of emphasis)

• स्थूललिङ्गः: having a large organ
• स्थूललिङ्गः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्थूल + लिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (स्थूलं लिङ्गं यस्य)

• घनोज्झितः: deprived of wealth (lit. abandoned by ‘ghana’)
• घनोज्झितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घन + उज्झित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (घनेन/घनात् उज्झितः = ‘घन-रहितः’); उज्झित = त्यक्त (PPP)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Inherited/embodied signs are treated as karmic indices for artha (wealth) and prajā (offspring).

Vedantic Theme: Prārabdha-karma shaping embodiment and life-circumstances; saṃsāric fruits.

Application: As traditional counsel: reflect on priorities (wealth vs progeny) and cultivate dharma to refine outcomes beyond mere bodily determinism.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65.9-13 (continuing deha-lakṣaṇa rules)

FAQs

What is the importance of bodily signs (liṅga) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats bodily signs as traditional indicators used by elders to infer tendencies like wealth, progeny, and material stability.

How does this verse explain fate versus personal effort?

It presents a prognostic view—external signs are read as outcomes—yet within the Purana’s broader framework such outcomes are ultimately tied to past karma and present conduct.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reflective prompt: prioritize ethical living, health, and responsibility rather than superstition—since prosperity and family welfare are strengthened by dharma and disciplined action.