Shloka 50

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

Devanagari script

दामाभाश्च गवाढ्यानां स्वस्तिकाभा नृपेश्वरे / चक्रासितोमरधनुः कुन्ताभा नृपतेः करे

Transliteration

dāmābhāśca gavāḍhyānāṃ svastikābhā nṛpeśvare / cakrāsitomaradhanuḥ kuntābhā nṛpateḥ kare

Translation

Bei den an Rindern Reichen erscheinen Zeichen wie Blumengirlanden; am erhabenen König zeigt sich ein svastika-ähnliches Mal; und in der Hand des Königs treten Sinnbilder hervor wie Diskus (Chakra), Schwert, Keule, Bogen und Speer.

Word by Word

• दाम: garland/rope
• दाम: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण-अङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दाम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समासाङ्ग

• आभाः: having the appearance of garlands
• आभाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आभा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; समासः—दाम-आभा (तत्पुरुषः)

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

• गवाढ्यानाम्: of those rich in cows
• गवाढ्यानाम्: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गवाढ्य (प्रातिपदिक: गो+आढ्य)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन; समासः—गो-आढ्य (तत्पुरुषः/कर्मधारयभावः: ‘गवां आढ्यः’ = rich in cows)

• स्वस्तिक: svastika sign
• स्वस्तिक: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण-अङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वस्तिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समासाङ्ग

• आभा: having the appearance of a svastika
• आभा: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आभा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; समासः—स्वस्तिक-आभा (तत्पुरुषः)

• नृपेश्वरे: in the lord of kings (emperor)
• नृपेश्वरे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृपेश्वर (प्रातिपदिक: नृप+ईश्वर)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; समासः—नृप-ईश्वर (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः)

• चक्र: discus/wheel
• चक्र: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण-अङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समासाङ्ग

• असि: sword
• असि: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण-अङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समासाङ्ग

• तोमर: javelin/spear
• तोमर: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण-अङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तोमर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समासाङ्ग

• धनुः: (marks like) discus, sword, javelin, bow
• धनुः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; समासः—चक्र-असि-तोमर-धनुस् (इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः), समाहारद्वन्द्वे एकवचन

• कुन्त: spear
• कुन्त: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण-अङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समासाङ्ग

• आभा: having the appearance of a spear
• आभा: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आभा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; समासः—कुन्त-आभा (तत्पुरुषः)

• नृपतेः: of the king
• नृपतेः: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृपति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन

• करे: in the hand
• करे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: External signs mirror inner role-dharma: pastoral prosperity for gopāla wealth; svastika for sovereignty; weapons for kṣatriya protection.

Vedantic Theme: Guṇa-karma-vibhāga reflected in embodied tendencies; dharma as harmonizing social function with cosmic order.

Application: Read symbols as reminders of responsibility: wealth implies generosity and protection of dependents; kingship implies restraint and righteous use of force.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65.49-53 (series on marks and their results)

Characters & Entities

• Nṛpati (King)
• Nṛpeśvara (Lordly king)

FAQs

What is the importance of auspicious marks like the svastika in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats such marks as visible indicators of accumulated merit (puṇya) and worldly status, especially linked with rulership and auspicious destiny.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it suggests that karma leaves recognizable impressions (lakṣaṇas) that correspond to one’s earned station—such as wealth (cattle) or royal authority—shaping one’s embodied experience.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate dharmic earning and protection of dependents (symbolized by cattle-wealth and kingship duties), since the Purana frames prosperity and authority as outcomes of merit and responsibility.