Shloka 93

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

निगूढगुल्फोपचितौ पद्मकान्तितलौ शुभौ / अस्वेदिनौ मृदुतलौ मत्स्याङ्कुशघ्वजाञ्चितौ

nigūḍhagulphopacitau padmakāntitalau śubhau / asvedinau mṛdutalau matsyāṅkuśaghvajāñcitau

Sus tobillos están bien formados y firmes; las plantas de sus pies son auspiciosas, radiantes como pétalos de loto—sin sudor ni aspereza, sino suaves al tacto—y llevan grabados los emblemas del pez, del aguijón (ankusha) y del estandarte.

nigūḍha-gulpha-upacitauwith hidden and well-developed ankles
nigūḍha-gulpha-upacitau:
Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootnigūḍha + gulpha + upacita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिकानि; upacita = √ci क्त, upa- उपसर्ग)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (gulphau nigūḍhau, upacitau = ankles hidden and well-formed)
padma-kānti-talausoles with lotus-like radiance
padma-kānti-talau:
Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootpadma + kānti + tala (प्रातिपदिकानि)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; तत्पुरुष (padma-sadṛśī kāntiḥ yasya talayoḥ = lotus-like lustre of the soles)
śubhauauspicious
śubhau:
Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootśubha (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; विशेषण
asvedinaunon-sweating
asvedinau:
Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Roota-svedin (प्रातिपदिक; नञ्-समास)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; नञ्-तत्पुरुष (na svedinau = non-sweating)
mṛdu-talausoft-soled
mṛdu-talau:
Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootmṛdu + tala (प्रातिपदिके)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; कर्मधारय (talau mṛdū = soft soles)
matsya-aṅkuśa-dhvaja-añcitaumarked with fish, goad, and banner (signs)
matsya-aṅkuśa-dhvaja-añcitau:
Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootmatsya + aṅkuśa + dhvaja + añcita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिकानि; añcita = √añc् क्त)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; तत्पुरुष (matsyāṅkuśadhvajaiḥ añcitau = marked with fish, goad, and banner signs)

Lord Vishnu (describing auspicious bodily marks; dialogue to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Concept: Embodied signs (cihna) are read as outward tokens of inner merit (puṇya) and destined prosperity.

Vedantic Theme: Karma’s visible ‘signature’ on the body within māyā; the teaching remains within empirical causality.

Application: Use as cultural-symbolic literacy (how emblems communicate status); personally, cultivate merit through conduct rather than relying on signs.

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Type: palace

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65.92 (preceding auspicious feet description)

FAQs

This verse treats divine “lakṣaṇas” as signs of spiritual auspiciousness—identifying a supreme, beneficent being through specific sacred emblems and qualities.

Indirectly: by emphasizing contemplation of the Lord’s auspicious form (especially the sacred feet), it supports devotional remembrance, which the Garuda Purana presents as a powerful aid for the soul’s well-being beyond death.

Use it as a focus for reverent meditation or recitation—remembering the Lord’s auspicious feet and cultivating purity, softness in conduct, and steadiness in devotion.