Shloka 25

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

Devanagari script

मत्स्योदरा बहुधना नाभिभिः सुखिनः स्मृताः / विस्तीर्णाभिर्बहुलाभिर्निम्नाभिः क्लेशभागिनः

Transliteration

matsyodarā bahudhanā nābhibhiḥ sukhinaḥ smṛtāḥ / vistīrṇābhirbahulābhirnimnābhiḥ kleśabhāginaḥ

Translation

من كان بطنه كهيئة السمكة يُذكر أنه كثير المال سعيد بسبب سُرّته. ومن كانت سُرّته عريضة واسعة عُدَّ ذا مكاسب كثيرة؛ أمّا من كانت سُرّته منخفضة غائرة فيشارك نصيب المشقّة.

Word by Word

• मत्स्योदराः: fish-bellied (having a belly like a fish)
• मत्स्योदराः: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मत्स्य (प्रातिपदिक) + उदर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषण (masc. nom. pl.)

• बहुधनाः: very wealthy
• बहुधनाः: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक) + धन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषण (masc. nom. pl.)

• नाभिभिः: by/with (such) navels
• नाभिभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाभि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन (instr. pl.)

• सुखिनः: happy
• सुखिनः: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुखिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषण (masc. nom. pl.)

• स्मृताः: are considered/are said (to be)
• स्मृताः: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √स्मृ (धातु) + त (कृदन्त; क्त/PPP)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे विधेय (passive predicative)

• विस्तीर्णाभिः: by/with broad/expanded (ones)
• विस्तीर्णाभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि + √स्तॄ (धातु; विस्तार) + क्त (PPP)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (fem. instr. pl.)

• बहुलाभिः: by/with abundant (ones)
• बहुलाभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; विशेषण (fem. instr. pl.)

• निम्नाभिः: by/with low/depressed (ones)
• निम्नाभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निम्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; विशेषण (fem. instr. pl.)

• क्लेशभागिनः: partakers of suffering; afflicted
• क्लेशभागिनः: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्लेश (प्रातिपदिक) + भागिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषण (masc. nom. pl.)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Specific bodily formations (udara/nābhi) are read as indicators of accumulated merit or hardship-bearing karma.

Vedantic Theme: Prārabdha-karma manifesting as bodily configuration; worldly sukha/duḥkha as transient phala.

Application: Treat prosperity/hardship as signals to intensify dharma: use wealth for dāna; meet hardship with patience and right conduct.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65 (nābhi/udara lakṣaṇa series continuing)

FAQs

What is the importance of navel signs in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats the navel (nābhi) as an external indicator used in samudrika-style assessment, associating certain navel shapes with prosperity, happiness, or hardship.

How does this verse explain karma through physical characteristics?

It links bodily features (types of navel/belly) with life outcomes (wealth, gains, suffering), reflecting the Purana’s broader idea that karmic patterns can manifest as observable traits and tendencies.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reflective, traditional lens on character and life patterns rather than as determinism—focus on cultivating dharma and right conduct to shape outcomes, regardless of physical features.