Shloka 100

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

Devanagari script

कुन्दपुष्पसमा दन्ता भाषितं कोकिलासमम् / दाक्षिण्ययुक्तमशठं हंसशब्दसुखावहम्

Transliteration

kundapuṣpasamā dantā bhāṣitaṃ kokilāsamam / dākṣiṇyayuktamaśaṭhaṃ haṃsaśabdasukhāvaham

Translation

Seine Zähne sind wie Kunda-Blüten; seine Rede gleicht dem Gesang des Kokila—höflich, ohne Trug, und wohltuend wie der liebliche Ruf des Schwans.

Word by Word

• कुन्दपुष्पसमा: like kunda-flowers
• कुन्दपुष्पसमा: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुन्द (प्रातिपदिक) + पुष्प (प्रातिपदिक) + सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (Plural)

• दन्ताः: teeth
• दन्ताः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• भाषितम्: speech/utterance
• भाषितम्: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाष् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle used substantively)

• कोकिलासमम्: like a cuckoo
• कोकिलासमम्: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कोकिल (प्रातिपदिक) + सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• दाक्षिण्ययुक्तम्: endowed with courtesy
• दाक्षिण्ययुक्तम्: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दाक्षिण्य (प्रातिपदिक) + युक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अशठम्: not deceitful, straightforward
• अशठम्: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ- (नञ्) + शठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; नञ्-समास (negation)

• हंसशब्दसुखावहम्: bringing pleasantness like the sound of a swan
• हंसशब्दसुखावहम्: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हंस (प्रातिपदिक) + शब्द (प्रातिपदिक) + सुख (प्रातिपदिक) + आवह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Vāk-śuddhi and sad-vyavahāra: truthful, non-deceptive, courteous speech as an auspicious trait.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva expressed through speech; inner guṇa manifests outwardly as sweetness, truthfulness, and non-duplicity.

Application: Cultivate speech that is truthful, kind, and pleasant; practice mindful communication (avoid harshness, deceit, and gossip).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shringara

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65.99-103 (lakṣaṇa sequence)

FAQs

What is the importance of sweet and truthful speech in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats gentle, melodious, and non-deceptive speech as a visible mark of dharmic character—speech that comforts others rather than harms them.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey or afterlife teachings in the Garuda Purana?

By highlighting inner purity through outward conduct (especially speech), it implies that ethical habits support spiritual merit and a favorable post-death trajectory, even when not explicitly discussing Yama’s realm here.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice courteous, honest communication—avoid manipulation and harsh words—so that your speech becomes calming and beneficial to others.