Shloka 81

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

Devanagari script

चत्वारिंशच्च वक्राभिस्त्रिंशद्भ्रूलग्नगामिभिः / विंशतिर्वामवक्रा भिरायुः क्षुद्राभिरल्पकम्

Transliteration

catvāriṃśacca vakrābhistriṃśadbhrūlagnagāmibhiḥ / viṃśatirvāmavakrā bhirāyuḥ kṣudrābhiralpakam

Translation

Empat puluh garis melengkung, tiga puluh yang naik hingga melekat pada alis, dan dua puluh yang membelok ke kiri—dengan tanda demikian usia disebut kecil dan singkat.

Word by Word

• चत्वारिंशत्: forty
• चत्वारिंशत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चत्वारिंशत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; संख्यावाचक

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

• वक्राभिः: with curved (ones)
• वक्राभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• त्रिंशत्: thirty
• त्रिंशत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रिंशत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; संख्यावाचक

• भ्रूलग्नगामिभिः: with those attached/going to the eyebrows
• भ्रूलग्नगामिभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भ्रू + लग्न + गामिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: (सामान्यतः पुंलिङ्ग), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; भ्रूषु लग्नाः (attached to the eyebrows) इति; गामिन् = गम् (धातु) + इनि (प्रत्यय)

• विंशतिः: twenty
• विंशतिः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विंशति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; संख्यावाचक

• वामवक्राभिः: with left-curving (ones)
• वामवक्राभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वाम + वक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; वामं वक्रं (left-curved)

• आयुः: lifespan
• आयुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आयुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• क्षुद्राभिः: with small (ones)
• क्षुद्राभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्षुद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• अल्पकम्: little, small
• अल्पकम्: Visheshana (Predicate qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अल्पक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; विधेयविशेषण (predicative)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Certain bodily line-configurations are read as signs of diminished āyus (short lifespan).

Vedantic Theme: Duhkha and impermanence of saṃsāra; prārabdha limits the body’s duration.

Application: Let awareness of mortality motivate dharma, reconciliation, and intensified remembrance of the divine.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65 (āyus-lakṣaṇa series)

FAQs

What is the importance of lifespan signs in Garuda Purana?

This verse presents traditional physiognomic indicators—specific counts and directions of curved lines/marks—used to infer ‘alpa āyuḥ’ (short lifespan) within the text’s broader framework of omens and karmic outcomes.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by stating that certain bodily signs indicate a short life, it implies an earlier encounter with death and the post-death journey discussed elsewhere in the Garuda Purana, linking embodied features with karmic destiny.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder of life’s uncertainty: prioritize dharma, ethical conduct, and timely spiritual practice rather than relying on longevity assumptions.