Shloka 10
Lakṣaṇas of Men: Feet, Shanks, Hair, Genitals, Abdomen, and Lines of Longevity
Forehead & Palm
सर्पोदरा दरिद्राः स्यू रेखाभिश्चायुरुच्यते / ललाटे यस्य दृश्यन्ते तिस्रो रेखाः समाहिताः
sarpodarā daridrāḥ syū rekhābhiścāyurucyate / lalāṭe yasya dṛśyante tisro rekhāḥ samāhitāḥ
Those whose belly is like a serpent’s are said to be poor; and one’s lifespan is spoken of through the lines (marks). He on whose forehead three well-formed, orderly lines are seen is thereby shown to bear a notable sign of longevity.
Lord Viṣṇu (speaking to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)
Concept: Embodied marks are read as indicators of prior karma’s fruition (daridratā/āyus) manifesting in the body.
Vedantic Theme: Prārabdha-karma shaping the body-mind complex (upādhi) while the Self remains untouched.
Application: Use such signs as prompts for ethical living, charity, and devotion rather than fatalism; treat them as cautionary indicators, not absolute certainties.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.63 (āyur-lakṣaṇa/śarīra-lakṣaṇa context); Garuda Purana Pretakalpa sections on karma-phala (general thematic link)
FAQs
This verse treats bodily lines as omens used to infer life conditions such as longevity; three well-formed forehead lines are presented as a notable indicator in such physiognomic reading.
It does not directly describe the soul’s post-death journey; instead, it belongs to teachings on external signs (lakṣaṇa) used to infer worldly outcomes like poverty or longevity, which are understood as karmic results.
Use it as a cultural-ethical reminder that actions shape outcomes (karma), rather than as deterministic judgment of a person’s worth; prioritize dharma, health, and charity over superstition.