Shloka 58

Devanagari script

आढ्यानां वर्तुलं वक्रं निर्द्रव्याणां च दीर्घकम् / भीरुवक्रः पापकर्मा धूर्तानां चतुरश्रकम्

Transliteration

āḍhyānāṃ vartulaṃ vakraṃ nirdravyāṇāṃ ca dīrghakam / bhīruvakraḥ pāpakarmā dhūrtānāṃ caturaśrakam

Translation

Bei den Reichen ist (das Zeichen/Mal) rund, doch gekrümmt; bei den Mittellosen ist es länglich. Der Furchtsame hat ein gekrümmtes (Mal); wer sündige Taten begeht, zeigt ebendiese Krümmung; und bei den Trügerischen ist es viereckig (quadratisch).

Word by Word

• आढ्यानाम्: of the wealthy
• आढ्यानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आढ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• वर्तुलम्: round
• वर्तुलम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर्तुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; (स्त्रीमुख-विशेषणम्)

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

• निर्द्रव्याणाम्: of the destitute
• निर्द्रव्याणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निः (उपसर्ग/निपात) + द्रव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; ‘द्रव्य-रहितानाम्’

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

• दीर्घकम्: elongated/longish
• दीर्घकम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीर्घक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• भीरु-वक्रः: timid and crooked (one)
• भीरु-वक्रः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भीरु (प्रातिपदिक) + वक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; कर्मधारय-समासः (भीरुः वक्रः)

• पाप-कर्मा: one of sinful deeds
• पाप-कर्मा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाप (प्रातिपदिक) + कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; ‘पापं कर्म यस्य/पापकर्मा’ (बहुव्रीह्यर्थेऽपि रूढिः)

• धूर्तानाम्: of rogues/cheats
• धूर्तानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूर्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• चतुरश्रकम्: four-cornered/square
• चतुरश्रकम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुरश्रक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Moral tendencies (pāpa, dhūrta) and psychological states (bhīru) are correlated with bodily/mark features; ethical quality is foregrounded as consequential.

Vedantic Theme: Guṇa/karma shaping disposition (svabhāva) and its outward expressions.

Application: Use as a mirror for self-examination: reduce deceit and harmful acts; cultivate courage and integrity rather than obsessing over bodily signs.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65 (shape/mark-based prognostics)

FAQs

What is the importance of describing bodily or behavioral ‘signs’ in the Garuda Purana?

This verse links inner dispositions—wealth-attachment, poverty, fear, sin, and deceit—to outwardly described “forms/marks,” reinforcing the Garuda Purana theme that karma and character leave recognizable impressions.

How does this verse explain karma in practical terms?

It presents karma and tendencies (like pāpa and dhūrtatā) as producing identifiable traits, implying that repeated actions shape one’s nature and its visible expressions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate straightforwardness and ethical action—avoid deceit and harmful acts—since the text emphasizes that inner habits become evident through one’s conduct and characteristics.