Shloka 76

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

Devanagari script

संवृतैश्च ललाटैश्च कृपणा उन्नतैर्नृपाः / अनश्रु स्निग्धरुदितमदीनं शुभदं नृणाम्

Transliteration

saṃvṛtaiśca lalāṭaiśca kṛpaṇā unnatairnṛpāḥ / anaśru snigdharuditamadīnaṃ śubhadaṃ nṛṇām

Translation

Les sourcils froncés et le front contracté, ces rois avares, enflés d’orgueil, ne versent pas de larmes. Mais pour les hommes, un pleur doux, sans gémissements, sans abattement, est de bon augure.

Word by Word

• संवृतैः: covered, closed
• संवृतैः: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संवृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental) बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम्

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

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

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

• कृपणाः: miserly people
• कृपणाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृपण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा (1st/Nominative) बहुवचनम्

• उन्नतैः: raised, high
• उन्नतैः: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उन्नत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental) बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• नृपाः: kings
• नृपाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा (1st/Nominative) बहुवचनम्

• अनश्रु: tearless
• अनश्रु: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनश्रु (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययीभाववत्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd) एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• स्निग्ध-रुदितम्: gentle/affectionate weeping
• स्निग्ध-रुदितम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्निग्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + रुदित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-भाव)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd) एकवचनम्

• अदीनम्: not wretched, not dejected
• अदीनम्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अदीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd) एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• शुभदम्: auspicious-giving
• शुभदम्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd) एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• नृणाम्: of men
• नृणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे षष्ठी (6th/Genitive) बहुवचनम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya, per the common dialogue frame of the Garuda Purana)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Proper emotional expression (snigdha, an-aśru? i.e., not excessive; gentle, non-dejected weeping) is auspicious; pride and miserliness harden the heart.

Vedantic Theme: Sattvic moderation; purification of mind (citta-śuddhi) through balanced emotion rather than tamasic suppression or rajasic excess.

Application: In grief, allow gentle tears without collapse; avoid performative or pride-driven emotional suppression; cultivate compassion.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana funeral/antyeṣṭi-related guidance on conduct and auspicious signs; Garuda Purana ethics: condemnation of kṛpaṇatā (miserliness) and mada (pride)

Characters & Entities

• Nṛpāḥ (kings)

FAQs

What is the importance of restrained grief in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches that soft, controlled weeping—without despair—is considered auspicious, aligning grief with dharma rather than ego or emotional collapse.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death?

While not describing the preta-path directly, it frames proper human conduct at times of loss: grief should remain sattvic and non-despondent, supporting dharmic rites and mental steadiness.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Allow natural emotion, but avoid prideful hardness or hopeless wailing; keep compassion and composure so duties, prayers, and remembrance can be done clearly and respectfully.