Shloka 11

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

Devanagari script

मेढे वामनते चैव सुतार्थरहितो भवेत् / वक्रे ऽन्यथा पुत्रवान्त्स्याद्दारिद्रयं विनतेत्वधः

Transliteration

meḍhe vāmanate caiva sutārtharahito bhavet / vakre 'nyathā putravāntsyāddāridrayaṃ vinatetvadhaḥ

Translation

Si le signe se trouve en Meṣa (Bélier) et se courbe vers le bas, l’homme est privé de fils et de richesse. S’il se courbe autrement, il peut avoir des fils ; mais lorsqu’il penche vers le bas, ô fils de Vinatā, Garuḍa, cela annonce la pauvreté.

Word by Word

• मेढे: in/with the penis (organ)
• मेढे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेढ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• वामनते: when (it is) short
• वामनते: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वामन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; ‘वामन’ = dwarf/short

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

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय (particle)

• सुतार्थरहितः: devoid of the benefit of sons
• सुतार्थरहितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुत + अर्थ + रहित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (सुतार्थेन रहितः = ‘पुत्र-फल-रहितः’)

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

• वक्रे: when (it is) crooked
• वक्रे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• अन्यथा: otherwise
• अन्यथा: Sambandha (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अन्यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb)

• पुत्रवान्: having sons
• पुत्रवान्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुत्रवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• स्यात्: would be
• स्यात्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• दारिद्र्यम्: poverty
• दारिद्र्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दारिद्र्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• विनते: when (it is) bent/downward
• विनते: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विनत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; ‘विनत’ = bent/downward

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/विशेषार्थक-अव्यय (particle; but/indeed)

• अधः: downwards/below
• अधः: Sambandha (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अधः (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of place)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Specific configurations (placement/curvature) are read as karmic determinants affecting prajā (sons) and artha (wealth).

Vedantic Theme: Cosmic order (ṛta-like regularity) reflected in embodied fate; prārabdha expressed through signs.

Application: Traditional use in saṃudrika/jyotiṣa counseling; ethically, treat as probabilistic symbolism and focus on dharma and responsible planning.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: zodiacal sign

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65.9-13 (same diagnostic sequence)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda (Vinata-putra)

FAQs

What is the importance of omen-like signs in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats specific observable signs (their location and direction/curvature) as indicators of worldly outcomes like progeny and prosperity, reflecting the text’s broader concern with dharma-linked results in life.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

It does not directly describe the soul’s post-death journey; instead, it focuses on worldly indicators (sons/wealth/poverty) discussed within Vishnu’s instruction to Garuda.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder to prioritize dharma and responsible living for family well-being and financial stability, rather than relying solely on signs—ethical action is the enduring takeaway.