Shloka 108

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

Devanagari script

गता पाणितले या च योर्ध्वपादतले स्थिता / स्त्रीणां पुंसां तथा सा स्याद्राज्याय च सुखाय च

Transliteration

gatā pāṇitale yā ca yordhvapādatale sthitā / strīṇāṃ puṃsāṃ tathā sā syādrājyāya ca sukhāya ca

Translation

الخطّ (العلامة) الذي يبلغ راحةَ اليد، وذلك الذي يستقرّ على أعلى باطن القدم—في النساء والرجال سواء—يُصبح علامةً مُعينةً على المُلك والسعادة.

Word by Word

• गता: gone, reaching
• गता: Kriya-visheshana (Participial predicate)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• पाणितले: on the palm
• पाणितले: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाणितल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पाणेः तलम्)

• या: which
• या: Karta (Relative subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; सम्बन्धक-यत्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात

• या: which
• या: Karta (Relative subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सम्बन्धक-यत् (अनुवृत्तिः)

• ऊर्ध्व-पादतले: on the upper sole of the foot
• ऊर्ध्व-पादतले: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऊर्ध्व (प्रातिपदिक) + पादतल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुषः (ऊर्ध्वं पादतलम्)

• स्थिता: situated
• स्थिता: Kriya-visheshana (Participial predicate)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• स्त्रीणाम्: of women
• स्त्रीणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन

• पुंसाम्: of men
• पुंसाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुंस्/पुम् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: likewise/so)

• सा: that (line)
• सा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन

• स्यात्: would be, may lead to
• स्यात्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• राज्याय: for kingship, sovereignty
• राज्याय: Sampradana (Purpose/Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात

• सुखाय: for happiness
• सुखाय: Sampradana (Purpose/Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Marks on palm/sole are presented as karmic indicators leading to rulership and happiness.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala in the realm of vyavahara; worldly success as a contingent fruit, not ultimate liberation.

Application: Interpret ‘sovereignty’ broadly as self-mastery and leadership earned through merit, discipline, and service.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65.104-107 (context of bodily loci and auspicious marks)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of auspicious body marks (lakṣaṇa) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats certain lines on the palm and the upper sole as indicators of punya-based fortune, suggesting that auspicious physical signs reflect prosperity and a capacity for worldly well-being.

How does this verse relate to karma or destiny in the Garuda Purana?

By presenting bodily marks as signs linked with kingship and happiness, the verse implies that prior merit (karma/puṇya) can manifest as visible lakṣaṇas and corresponding life outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder to prioritize dharmic conduct and merit-creating actions; rather than obsessing over signs, focus on ethical living that the Purana repeatedly connects with lasting well-being.