Shloka 56

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

Devanagari script

श्लक्ष्णा दीर्घा च विज्ञेया तालू श्वेते धनक्षये / कृष्णे च परुषो वक्रं समं सौम्यं च संवृतम्

Transliteration

ślakṣṇā dīrghā ca vijñeyā tālū śvete dhanakṣaye / kṛṣṇe ca paruṣo vakraṃ samaṃ saumyaṃ ca saṃvṛtam

Translation

Der Gaumen ist an seinen Zeichen zu erkennen: Ist er glatt und lang, gilt er als glückverheißend. Ist er weiß, deutet das auf Verlust von Reichtum; ist er schwarz, ist er rau und krumm; ist er gleichmäßig, sanft und wohlgeformt, wird er als günstig angesehen.

Word by Word

• श्लक्ष्णा: smooth
• श्लक्ष्णा: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्लक्ष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे (तालु-विशेषणम्), प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• दीर्घा: long
• दीर्घा: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीर्घ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

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

• विज्ञेया: should be known (as)
• विज्ञेया: Vidheyavisheshana (Predicative qualifier/विधेयविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विज्ञेय (कृदन्त; √ज्ञा (ज्ञा) + वि, तव्यत्/यत्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विधेय-विशेषणम् (to be known)

• तालु: palate
• तालु: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तालु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• श्वेते: when (it is) white
• श्वेते: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्वेत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; (सप्तमी-स्थाने) ‘श्वेते (वर्णे)’ इति; विशेषण-प्रयोगः

• धन-क्षये: in loss of wealth
• धन-क्षये: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन (प्रातिपदिक) + क्षय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; ‘धनस्य क्षये’

• कृष्णे: when (it is) black
• कृष्णे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; (सप्तमी-स्थाने) ‘कृष्णे (वर्णे)’

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

• परुषः: harsh/rough
• परुषः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; (तालु-विशेषणम्)

• वक्रम्: crooked
• वक्रम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; (तालु-विशेषणम्)

• समम्: even
• समम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; (तालु-विशेषणम्)

• सौम्यम्: gentle/pleasant
• सौम्यम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सौम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; (तालु-विशेषणम्)

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

• संवृतम्: covered/closed
• संवृतम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संवृत (कृदन्त; √वृ (वृञ्) + सम्, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषणम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Kapha

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Color and texture variations are interpreted as indicators of impending gain/loss and character disposition; bodily signs mirror unseen causes.

Vedantic Theme: Karma’s subtle causality made legible through gross markers (sthūla-śarīra as index).

Application: Treat such readings as prompts for prudence: if signs indicate ‘loss,’ increase restraint, charity, and health discipline rather than superstition.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65 (mouth-region lakṣaṇas)

FAQs

What is the importance of bodily signs (lakṣaṇa) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats physical characteristics as indicative omens—here, the palate’s qualities are read to infer auspiciousness or misfortune such as decline of wealth.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly describe the soul’s post-death journey; instead, it presents omen-based diagnostics used in the text’s broader ethical-ritual framework for recognizing favorable or unfavorable conditions in life.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a traditional reminder toward self-assessment and prudent living—treat “inauspicious signs” as prompts to strengthen dharma, restraint, charity, and careful financial conduct rather than as fatalistic predictions.