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

Wer einen fischartigen Bauch hat, gilt wegen seines Nabels als wohlhabend und glücklich. Wer einen breiten, sehr ausgedehnten Nabel besitzt, soll großen Gewinn erlangen; wer aber einen tief liegenden, eingesunkenen Nabel hat, wird Teilhaber an Mühsal.

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.