Shloka 42

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

Devanagari script

नृपा हीनाः करच्छैदैः सशब्दैर्धनवर्जिताः / संवृतैश्चैव निम्नैश्च धनिनः परिकीर्तिताः

Transliteration

nṛpā hīnāḥ karacchaidaiḥ saśabdairdhanavarjitāḥ / saṃvṛtaiścaiva nimnaiśca dhaninaḥ parikīrtitāḥ

Translation

On dit rois (nṛpā) ceux qui ne manquent pas à la perception des taxes et ne sont pas privés de richesse ni d’autorité. De même, ceux dont les réserves sont bien closes et gardées en lieu bas et sûr sont décrits comme fortunés.

Word by Word

• नृपाः: kings
• नृपाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• हीनाः: deprived/deficient
• हीनाः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हीन (कृदन्त; √हा ‘त्यागे’/√ही ‘हानौ’)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• करच्छैदैः: by/with cuts in the hand
• करच्छैदैः: Hetu/Instrument (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर + छेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; समासः: कर-छेद (तत्पुरुष; cuts/clefts in the hand)

• सशब्दैः: with sound/noisy
• सशब्दैः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स + शब्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; समासः: स-शब्द (तत्पुरुष; with sound/noisy)

• धनवर्जिताः: devoid of wealth
• धनवर्जिताः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धन + वर्जित (कृदन्त; √वृज्/√वर्ज् ‘त्यागे’)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; समासः: धन-वर्जित (तत्पुरुष; devoid of wealth)

• संवृतैः: with covered/closed (lines)
• संवृतैः: Hetu/Instrument (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संवृत (कृदन्त; √वृ ‘आवरणे’ + सम्)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक निपात

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha/Emphasis (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphasis)

• निम्नैः: with depressed/low (features/lines)
• निम्नैः: Hetu/Instrument (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निम्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक निपात

• धनिनः: wealthy persons
• धनिनः: Karta/Predicate noun (कर्ता/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• परिकीर्तिताः: are proclaimed/are described
• परिकीर्तिताः: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परिकीर्तित (कृदन्त; √कीर्त् ‘कीर्तने’ + परि)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगे ‘are proclaimed’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Prosperity and kingship are linked to effective collection/management and secure storage—order (niyama) sustains artha.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as the stabilizing principle for artha; worldly power is legitimate when aligned with order and responsibility.

Application: For leaders: transparent revenue systems and protection of resources; for households: budgeting, secure savings, and disciplined management.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: kingdom/court

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65 (lakshana extended to status/wealth indicators)

FAQs

What is the importance of taxation (kara) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames effective, non-deficient tax collection as a defining feature of kingship, linking governance with the maintenance of prosperity and order.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly describe the soul’s journey; rather, it establishes worldly dharma—how rulers and wealthy householders are characterized—forming the ethical ground that later affects karmic outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

For leaders: ensure fair, consistent revenue systems and prevent “leakages.” For individuals: protect wealth responsibly (secure savings/resources) and avoid negligence that leads to loss.