Shloka 93

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

Devanagari script

निगूढगुल्फोपचितौ पद्मकान्तितलौ शुभौ / अस्वेदिनौ मृदुतलौ मत्स्याङ्कुशघ्वजाञ्चितौ

Transliteration

nigūḍhagulphopacitau padmakāntitalau śubhau / asvedinau mṛdutalau matsyāṅkuśaghvajāñcitau

Translation

كاحلاه محكمان حسنَا التكوين؛ وأخمصا قدميه مباركان، يلمعان كبتلات اللوتس—لا عرق فيهما ولا خشونة، بل هما ليّنان عند اللمس—وعليهما علامات السمكة، والأنكوشا (مِهْمَاز/مِقْوَد)، والراية.

Word by Word

• nigūḍha-gulpha-upacitau: with hidden and well-developed ankles
• nigūḍha-gulpha-upacitau: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nigūḍha + gulpha + upacita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिकानि; upacita = √ci क्त, upa- उपसर्ग)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (gulphau nigūḍhau, upacitau = ankles hidden and well-formed)

• padma-kānti-talau: soles with lotus-like radiance
• padma-kānti-talau: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: padma + kānti + tala (प्रातिपदिकानि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; तत्पुरुष (padma-sadṛśī kāntiḥ yasya talayoḥ = lotus-like lustre of the soles)

• śubhau: auspicious
• śubhau: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; विशेषण

• asvedinau: non-sweating
• asvedinau: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-svedin (प्रातिपदिक; नञ्-समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; नञ्-तत्पुरुष (na svedinau = non-sweating)

• mṛdu-talau: soft-soled
• mṛdu-talau: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mṛdu + tala (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; कर्मधारय (talau mṛdū = soft soles)

• matsya-aṅkuśa-dhvaja-añcitau: marked with fish, goad, and banner (signs)
• matsya-aṅkuśa-dhvaja-añcitau: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: matsya + aṅkuśa + dhvaja + añcita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिकानि; añcita = √añc् क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; तत्पुरुष (matsyāṅkuśadhvajaiḥ añcitau = marked with fish, goad, and banner signs)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (describing auspicious bodily marks; dialogue to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Embodied signs (cihna) are read as outward tokens of inner merit (puṇya) and destined prosperity.

Vedantic Theme: Karma’s visible ‘signature’ on the body within māyā; the teaching remains within empirical causality.

Application: Use as cultural-symbolic literacy (how emblems communicate status); personally, cultivate merit through conduct rather than relying on signs.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Geographic Context

Type: palace

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65.92 (preceding auspicious feet description)

FAQs

What is the importance of auspicious bodily marks in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats divine “lakṣaṇas” as signs of spiritual auspiciousness—identifying a supreme, beneficent being through specific sacred emblems and qualities.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing contemplation of the Lord’s auspicious form (especially the sacred feet), it supports devotional remembrance, which the Garuda Purana presents as a powerful aid for the soul’s well-being beyond death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a focus for reverent meditation or recitation—remembering the Lord’s auspicious feet and cultivating purity, softness in conduct, and steadiness in devotion.