Shloka 38

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

Devanagari script

आजानुलम्बितौ बाहू वृत्तौ पीनौ नृपेश्वरे / निः स्वानां रोमशौ ह्रस्वौ श्रेष्ठौ करिकर प्रभौ

Transliteration

ājānulambitau bāhū vṛttau pīnau nṛpeśvare / niḥ svānāṃ romaśau hrasvau śreṣṭhau karikara prabhau

Translation

Seine Arme reichen bis zu den Knien; beim Herrn der Könige sind sie rund und voll. Sein Leib ist frei von üblem Geruch; sein Haar ist glatt und fein; seine Gestalt ist gedrungen und doch erlesen—mächtig wie der Rüssel eines Elefanten.

Word by Word

• आजानुलम्बितौ: hanging down to the knees (two)
• आजानुलम्बितौ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ + जानु + लम्बित (कृदन्त; √लम्ब्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा द्विवचनम्; अव्ययीभावः—‘आजानु’ (up to the knees) इति अव्ययपूर्वपदं + लम्बित (Nominative dual, masculine)

• बाहू: two arms
• बाहू: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा द्विवचनम् (Nominative dual, masculine)

• वृत्तौ: rounded (two)
• वृत्तौ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृत्त (कृदन्त; √वृत्/वर्त्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा द्विवचनम्; भूतकृदन्त-विशेषणम् (Nominative dual, masculine; ‘rounded’)

• पीनौ: stout; well-developed (two)
• पीनौ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा द्विवचनम् (Nominative dual, masculine)

• नृपेश्वरे: in/for the king (lord of men)
• नृपेश्वरे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिकौ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे सप्तमी एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः—‘नृपाणाम् ईश्वरः’ (Locative singular, masculine)

• निः: without
• निः: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: निः (अव्यय; उपसर्ग/निपात)
• Form: निपातः; ‘निः-’ (without)

• स्वानाम्: of the property-less (of those without wealth)
• स्वानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे षष्ठी बहुवचनम्; ‘स्व’ = धन/सम्पत्ति (Genitive plural, masculine)

• रोमशौ: hairy (two)
• रोमशौ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रोमश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा द्विवचनम् (Nominative dual, masculine)

• ह्रस्वौ: short (two)
• ह्रस्वौ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ह्रस्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा द्विवचनम् (Nominative dual, masculine)

• श्रेष्ठौ: excellent (two)
• श्रेष्ठौ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रेष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा द्विवचनम् (Nominative dual, masculine)

• करिकर: elephant-trunk (lit. elephant’s hand)
• करिकर: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: करि + कर (प्रातिपदिकौ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा एकवचनम् (सम्बोधन/प्रथमा-समासपदप्रयोगः सम्भवः); तत्पुरुषः—‘करिणः करः’ (elephant’s trunk/hand)

• प्रभौ: two lords; powerful ones
• प्रभौ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा द्विवचनम् (Nominative dual, masculine)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ideal royal marks: long powerful arms, rounded fullness, cleanliness (absence of foul odor), fine hair, compact excellence, elephantine might—suggesting fitness to protect and rule.

Vedantic Theme: Kṣātra-dharma as a functional expression of guna and karma; bodily vigor as a support for righteous governance (not an end in itself).

Application: For leaders: cultivate strength, cleanliness, and disciplined habits; for readers: interpret ‘marks’ as metaphors for capability and responsibility.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana lakṣaṇa descriptions of rulers and auspicious bodies in the same chapter

FAQs

What is the importance of ājānulambita bāhu (arms reaching the knees) in the Garuda Purana?

It functions as an iconographic and “mahāpuruṣa-lakṣaṇa” style marker—signifying exceptional sovereignty, strength, and auspiciousness in the described supreme ruler.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by presenting the auspicious characteristics of the supreme lord/ideal ruler, it frames the Garuda Purana’s broader ethical-religious teaching—devotion and dharma-oriented life leading the soul toward higher states rather than degradation.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use the verse as a contemplative aid (dhyāna) on divine qualities—strength guided by righteousness, purity, and excellence—encouraging disciplined living and devotion.