Shloka 95

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

Devanagari script

अनुल्बणं सन्धिदेशं समं जानुद्वयं शुभम् / ऊरू करिकराकारावरोमौ च समौ शुभौ

Transliteration

anulbaṇaṃ sandhideśaṃ samaṃ jānudvayaṃ śubham / ūrū karikarākārāvaromau ca samau śubhau

Translation

The joints should not be overly prominent; the joint-regions should be even. Both knees should be symmetrical and auspicious. The thighs should resemble an elephant’s trunk, be hairless, evenly matched, and auspicious in every way.

Word by Word

• अनुल्बणम्: not protruding/moderate
• अनुल्बणम्: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनु + उल्बण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण—सन्धिदेशम् इति विशेष्यस्य

• सन्धिदेशम्: the joint-region (knee-joint area)
• सन्धिदेशम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सन्धि + देश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• समम्: even/symmetrical
• समम्: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण—सन्धिदेशम् इति विशेष्यस्य

• जानुद्वयम्: the pair of knees
• जानुद्वयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जानु + द्वय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (two knees)

• शुभम्: auspicious/beautiful
• शुभम्: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण—जानुद्वयम् इति विशेष्यस्य

• ऊरू: (her) two thighs
• ऊरू: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऊरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन

• करिकराकारौ: shaped like an elephant’s trunk
• करिकराकारौ: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: करि + कर + आकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; विशेषण—ऊरू इति विशेष्यस्य

• अरोमौ: hairless
• अरोमौ: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ + रोम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; विशेषण—ऊरू इति विशेष्यस्य

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

• समौ: even/symmetrical
• समौ: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; विशेषण—ऊरू इति विशेष्यस्य

• शुभौ: auspicious/beautiful
• शुभौ: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; विशेषण—ऊरू इति विशेष्यस्य

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (teaching Garuḍa / Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Symmetry, moderation, and evenness are treated as auspicious markers in traditional bodily assessment.

Vedantic Theme: Madhyama-marga (moderation) as a valued aesthetic-ethical ideal (conventional level).

Application: Interpret ‘moderation and symmetry’ as a broader value: cultivate balanced habits and avoid extremes; do not equate bodily traits with moral value.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65 (continued lakshana catalogue: limbs, joints, proportions)

FAQs

What is the importance of auspicious bodily marks (śubha-lakṣaṇa) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats bodily symmetry and specific features as traditional indicators of auspiciousness and favorable destiny, used to describe an ideal, dharmic constitution.

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

Indirectly: by listing auspicious traits, it implies that dharma and past merit can manifest as favorable bodily characteristics, which the text often contrasts with suffering caused by sinful actions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder to prioritize dharmic living and inner character over external appearance, while reading such descriptions as cultural-ethical symbolism rather than a basis for judging others.