Shloka 78

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

Devanagari script

असकृद्धसितं दुष्टं सोन्मादस्य ह्यनेकधा / ललाटोपसृतास्तिस्रो रेखाः स्युः शतवर्षिणाम्

Transliteration

asakṛddhasitaṃ duṣṭaṃ sonmādasya hyanekadhā / lalāṭopasṛtāstisro rekhāḥ syuḥ śatavarṣiṇām

Translation

Wiederholtes, unpassendes Lachen und eine böse Gesinnung sind Zeichen von Wahnsinn in vielerlei Gestalt; und bei denen, die hundert Jahre leben, sollen drei Linien erscheinen, die bis auf die Stirn hinaufreichen.

Word by Word

• असकृत्: repeatedly
• असकृत्: Sambandha (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: असकृत् (अव्यय)
• Form: आवृत्तिवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: repeatedly)

• हसितम्: laughter
• हसितम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हसित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-भाव)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd) एकवचनम्

• दुष्टम्: wicked, bad
• दुष्टम्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुष्ट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd) एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• स-उन्मादस्य: of (one) with madness; of frenzy
• स-उन्मादस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + उन्माद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे षष्ठी (6th/Genitive) एकवचनम्; 'स' उपसर्गसदृश-पूर्वपदेन सह (with madness)

• हि: indeed, for
• हि: Sambandha (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; emphasis/causal)

• अनेकधा: in many ways
• अनेकधा: Sambandha (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अनेकधा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: in many ways)

• ललाट-उपसृताः: reaching/approaching the forehead
• ललाट-उपसृताः: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ललाट (प्रातिपदिक) + उपसृत (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे प्रथमा (1st/Nominative) बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम् (रेखाः इत्यस्य)

• तिस्रः: three
• तिस्रः: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे प्रथमा (1st/Nominative) बहुवचनम्; संख्याविशेषणम्

• रेखाः: lines, streaks
• रेखाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रेखा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे प्रथमा (1st/Nominative) बहुवचनम्

• स्युः: would be/are (said to be)
• स्युः: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative) प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd person) बहुवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• शत-वर्षिणाम्: of those who live a hundred years
• शत-वर्षिणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्षिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे षष्ठी (6th/Genitive) बहुवचनम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Uncontrolled, inappropriate laughter indicates inner disorder; longevity has recognizable bodily markers—self-governance and balance are implied virtues.

Vedantic Theme: Mind’s guṇas reflected in behavior; tamas/rajas imbalance manifests as unwholesome conduct; sattva supports steadiness and long life.

Application: Treat compulsive laughter/behavioral dysregulation as a sign to seek guidance and restore balance; cultivate moderation, routine, and ethical living.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana lakṣaṇa passages on bodily lines/marks and lifespan; Garuda Purana ethical cautions against duṣṭatā (wickedness) and unrestrained conduct

FAQs

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

This verse treats bodily and behavioral indicators as diagnostic marks—linking conduct (like inappropriate repeated laughter) with mental disturbance, and physical marks (forehead lines) with longevity.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana?

Indirectly: by emphasizing how one’s embodied condition and mental balance are read as outcomes of past causes, it supports the Purana’s broader karmic framework that connects life-patterns with moral and subtle influences.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat persistent abnormal behavior as a signal to seek correction and care, and reflect on disciplined living; the verse also reminds readers that longevity is traditionally associated with recognizable bodily markers and balanced conduct.