Shloka 12

Lakṣaṇas of Men: Feet, Shanks, Hair, Genitals, Abdomen, and Lines of Longevity

Forehead & Palm

Devanagari script

विंशत्यब्दं त्वेकरेखा आकर्णान्ताः शतायुषः

Transliteration

viṃśatyabdaṃ tvekarekhā ākarṇāntāḥ śatāyuṣaḥ

Translation

一本の線は二十年の寿命を示す。しるしが耳元にまで及ぶ者は、百年の寿命を得ると説かれる。

Word by Word

• विंशति: twenty
• विंशति: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विंशति (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्याशब्दः; ‘अब्दम्’ इति विशेष्ये द्वितीया-एकवचनार्थे प्रयोगः

• अब्दम्: years (a year)
• अब्दम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अब्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; कालपरिमाण

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/विशेषबोधक-अव्यय (particle: but/indeed)

• एकरेखा: a single line
• एकरेखा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एक + रेखा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः तत्पुरुषः (एका रेखा); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• आकर्णान्ताः: reaching up to the ear(s)
• आकर्णान्ताः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ + कर्ण + अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः तत्पुरुषः (आकर्णम् यावत् अन्तः/पर्यन्तः); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘(रेखाः)’ इति अध्याहृत-विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्

• शतायुषः: having a hundred-year lifespan
• शतायुषः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शत + आयुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः तत्पुरुषः (शतं आयुः यस्य); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; (ते) इति अध्याहृत

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Visible bodily features are interpreted as karmic indicators of allotted lifespan, ranging from very short to exceptionally long.

Vedantic Theme: Time-bound embodiment (kāla under īśvara) governs the body’s duration; cultivate detachment and devotion regardless of measure.

Application: Let awareness of mortality inspire dharma, restraint, and remembrance of Hari; let long-life signs inspire service and spiritual maturity, not pride.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.63.11–14 (comparative lifespan signs)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of lifespan signs (rekhā) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats bodily marks as traditional indicators used to infer longevity, framing lifespan as something observable and connected to one’s overall constitution and past causes.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in Garuda Purana’s narrative?

Indirectly: by discussing lifespan indicators, it sets the timing of death as a pivotal threshold after which the text’s afterlife teachings (rites, judgment, and post-death journey) become immediately relevant.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder to value human life-span and practice dharma early—ethical conduct, self-discipline, and timely performance of duties—rather than relying on uncertain predictions.