Shloka 41
Kāraṇānvēṣaṇam: The 32 Marks of Hari, Defects (Doṣas), Death-Omens, and Hari’s Omnipresence in Social & Household Life
पादत्राणोपमो मत्स्यो रसनाग्रे प्रकीर्तितः / शिश्राकारश्च यो मत्स्यो गुदे तस्य प्रशस्यते
pādatrāṇopamo matsyo rasanāgre prakīrtitaḥ / śiśrākāraśca yo matsyo gude tasya praśasyate
Une marque en forme de poisson, semblable à une sandale, est dite de bon augure au bout de la langue ; et une marque en forme de poisson, semblable à l’organe viril, est tenue pour particulièrement louable lorsqu’elle se trouve à l’anus.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Even hidden bodily features are treated as karmic indicators; auspiciousness is inferred from form-analogies (upama).
Vedantic Theme: Samskara expressed through the gross body; the seer reads patterns without claiming ultimate selfhood resides there.
Application: If used at all, apply as cultural-literary knowledge; avoid shaming or invasive scrutiny—prioritize character and conduct.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.22 (continued fish-shaped mark typology across body parts)
FAQs
This verse treats specific bodily shapes as karmic indicators—traditional signs that a person possesses favorable qualities or merit, and therefore such marks are praised as auspicious.
By classifying certain physical marks as “praśasya” (commendable), the text links outward signs to inner merit (puṇya) accumulated through past actions, a recurring Garuda Purana theme in describing results of karma.
Use it as a reminder that one’s life is shaped by conduct: prioritize ethical living, restraint, and dharma, rather than obsessing over omens—since the Purana’s broader thrust is karma-based responsibility.