Shloka 80

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

Devanagari script

केशान्तोपगताभिश्च अशीत्यायुर्नरो भवेत् / पञ्चभिः सप्तभिः षड्भिः पञ्चाशद्वहुभिस्तथा

Transliteration

keśāntopagatābhiśca aśītyāyurnaro bhavet / pañcabhiḥ saptabhiḥ ṣaḍbhiḥ pañcāśadvahubhistathā

Translation

Cuando el (cabello) llega al extremo—esto es, cuando aparecen las canas y las señales de la vejez—se dice que el hombre alcanza una vida de ochenta años. Asimismo, la vida se enuncia en medidas de cinco, siete, seis y también de cincuenta años, y en otros cómputos semejantes.

Word by Word

• केशान्तोपगताभिः: with those reaching the hair-end
• केशान्तोपगताभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: केशान्त + उपगत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; केशान्ते उपगताः (arrived at the hair-end); उप + गम् (धातु) → उपगत (क्त)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

• अशीति: eighty
• अशीति: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अशीति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; संख्यावाचक

• आयुः: lifespan
• आयुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आयुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• नरः: a man
• नरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• भवेत्: would become / may be
• भवेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• पञ्चभिः: with five
• पञ्चभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्च (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: (सर्वलिङ्ग), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; संख्यावाचक

• सप्तभिः: with seven
• सप्तभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सप्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: (सर्वलिङ्ग), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; संख्यावाचक

• षड्भिः: with six
• षड्भिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: षट् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: (सर्वलिङ्ग), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; संख्यावाचक

• पञ्चाशत्: fifty
• पञ्चाशत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्चाशत् (प्रातिपदिक; पञ्च + आशत्/शत)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; संख्यावाचक

• बहुभिः: with many
• बहुभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: (सर्वलिङ्ग), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (in that manner/likewise)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda / Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Aging markers (e.g., hair reaching ‘end’/signs of senescence) correlate with allotted lifespan measures.

Vedantic Theme: Anityatā (impermanence) of the body; prārabdha determining lifespan while urging inner detachment.

Application: Cultivate preparedness for later life—ethical living, remembrance of Hari, and orderly duties—when signs of aging appear.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65 (āyus-lakṣaṇa enumeration continues)

FAQs

What is the importance of lifespan measures in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames human life as measurable in standard counts (like 80 or 50 years) and links lifespan discussion to visible aging signs, reinforcing awareness of mortality and timely dharmic living.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing the inevitability of aging and finite lifespan, it urges preparation for death-related duties and spiritual priorities that shape the soul’s post-death journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat aging as a signal to intensify ethical conduct, simplify attachments, and prioritize spiritual practice and family duties rather than postponing them.