Shloka 75

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

Devanagari script

अन्नताभैः शिराभिश्च स्वस्तिकाभिर्धनेश्वराः / निम्नैर्ललाटैर्बन्धार्हाः क्रूरकर्मरतास्तथा

Transliteration

annatābhaiḥ śirābhiśca svastikābhirdhaneśvarāḥ / nimnairlalāṭairbandhārhāḥ krūrakarmaratāstathā

Translation

Ceux qui portent des veines et des marques semblables à des grains de nourriture, ainsi que des signes auspices de svastika, deviennent seigneurs de la richesse. Ceux dont le front est bas et creusé sont propres à être liés ou emprisonnés, et s’adonnent pareillement à des actes cruels.

Word by Word

• अन्नताभैः: having the appearance of food (food-like)
• अन्नताभैः: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्नताभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental) बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• शिराभिः: with veins
• शिराभिः: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental) बहुवचनम्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction/particle)

• स्वस्तिकाभिः: with swastika-like marks
• स्वस्तिकाभिः: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वस्तिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental) बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• धन-ईश्वराः: lords of wealth, rich men
• धन-ईश्वराः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा (1st/Nominative) बहुवचनम्

• निम्नैः: low, depressed
• निम्नैः: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निम्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental) बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• ललाटैः: with foreheads
• ललाटैः: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ललाट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental) बहुवचनम्

• बन्ध-अर्हाः: fit to be bound/imprisoned
• बन्ध-अर्हाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बन्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्ह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा (1st/Nominative) बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• क्रूर-कर्म-रताः: engaged in cruel deeds
• क्रूर-कर्म-रताः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्रूर (प्रातिपदिक) + कर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा (1st/Nominative) बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• तथा: likewise, also
• तथा: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in discourse to Garuḍa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Auspicious signs correlate with prosperity; inauspicious traits (depressed forehead) correlate with bondage and cruel conduct—character and destiny intertwine.

Vedantic Theme: Interplay of prārabdha-karma (manifest tendencies) and ethical choice; external signs hint at inner saṃskāras.

Application: Cultivate non-cruelty and self-restraint; treat ‘signs’ as prompts for ethical correction rather than fatalism.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana sections on lakṣaṇa (bodily marks) and their results; Garuda Purana dharma passages condemning cruelty (hiṃsā)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of bodily signs (lakṣaṇa) in Garuda Purana?

This verse treats certain bodily marks as indicators of tendencies and outcomes—prosperity for auspicious signs, and restraint or punishment for traits linked with cruelty—framing them as karmic signals rather than mere superstition.

How does this verse explain the link between karma and a person’s nature?

It connects outward features with inward disposition: a depressed forehead is associated with being bound and with cruel actions, implying that karmic conditioning can manifest as both character and consequence.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder to watch for cruelty in one’s behavior and correct it early—cultivating compassion and self-restraint is presented as the real safeguard against punitive outcomes.