Shloka 30

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

Devanagari script

विपरीतैः परप्रेष्या निर्द्रव्याः सुखवर्जिताः / अनुद्धतैश्चूचुकैश्च भवन्ति सुभगा नराः

Transliteration

viparītaiḥ parapreṣyā nirdravyāḥ sukhavarjitāḥ / anuddhataiścūcukaiśca bhavanti subhagā narāḥ

Translation

Durch verkehrtes Verhalten werden Menschen zu Dienern anderer, ohne Besitz und ohne Glück; durch Demut und Sanftmut aber werden Männer begünstigt und wohlgestaltet.

Word by Word

• विपरीतैः: with reversed/contrary (features)
• विपरीतैः: Karana (Instrument/feature)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विपरीत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; विशेषण (Neuter, Instrumental plural; adjective)

• परप्रेष्याः: servants of others; dependent on others
• परप्रेष्याः: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रेष्य (प्र-इष्/प्रेष्-धातु; यत्/ण्यत्-कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक ‘to be sent/servant’)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषण (Masculine, Nominative plural; adjective)

• निर्द्रव्याः: without wealth
• निर्द्रव्याः: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निः (उपसर्ग/निपात) + द्रव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषण (Masculine, Nominative plural; adjective)

• सुखवर्जिताः: deprived of happiness
• सुखवर्जिताः: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्जित (वृज्/वर्ज्-धातु, क्त-कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषण (Masculine, Nominative plural; adjective)

• अनुद्धतैः: with unraised/low (features); not prominent
• अनुद्धतैः: Karana (Instrument/feature)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन् (नञ्) + उद्धत (उद्-धन्/धृ-धातु; क्त-कृदन्त ‘raised/arrogant’)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; विशेषण (Neuter, Instrumental plural; adjective)

• चूचुकैः: with nipples/teats (i.e., small protuberances)
• चूचुकैः: Karana (Instrument/feature)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चूचुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन (Neuter, Instrumental plural)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction/particle)

• भवन्ति: become/are
• भवन्ति: Kriya (Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन (Present indicative, 3rd person plural)

• सुभगाः: fortunate, attractive
• सुभगाः: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुभग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषण (Masculine, Nominative plural; adjective)

• नराः: men
• नराः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन (Masculine, Nominative plural)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Viparīta-ācāra leads to servitude, poverty, and unhappiness; anuddhatatā (humility) and gentleness lead to prosperity and good repute.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala in worldly life; sattva-like qualities (humility, softness) support auspicious outcomes.

Application: Cultivate humility, non-arrogance, and gentle speech/behavior; avoid contrarian, harmful conduct that erodes trust and livelihood.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65 (moralized lakṣaṇa: conduct linked to fortune)

FAQs

What is the importance of humility in the Garuda Purana?

This verse links humility and gentleness with becoming “subhaga” (fortunate), presenting modest conduct as a direct karmic cause of wellbeing and social esteem.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It frames destiny through karma: harmful or “viparīta” actions mature into lived suffering (loss of wealth, dependence), while virtuous dispositions shape a more auspicious life-course, supporting a dharmic trajectory.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Avoid exploitative or unethical behavior that creates dependency and distress; cultivate humility and gentle speech to improve relationships, reputation, and stability—seen here as karmically “fortune-producing.”