Shloka 104

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

Devanagari script

स्त्रीणां समं शिरः श्रेष्ठं पादे पाणितले ऽथ वा / वाजिकुञ्जरश्रीवृक्षयूपेषुयवतोमरैः

Transliteration

strīṇāṃ samaṃ śiraḥ śreṣṭhaṃ pāde pāṇitale 'tha vā / vājikuñjaraśrīvṛkṣayūpeṣuyavatomaraiḥ

Translation

女性においては、頭が最も主要（生命に関わる要所）と見なされる。これと同様に、足の裏、あるいは手のひらもまた然り。（彼女らは）馬や象を駆る鉤棒などの器具、吉祥の樹、祭柱、麦の茎、槍・投槍によって打たれ害される。

Word by Word

• स्त्रीणाम्: of women
• स्त्रीणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• समम्: even, level
• समम्: Visheshana/Avyaya-bhava (Qualifier/Adverbial)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन; अव्ययीभाववत् क्रियाविशेषणार्थे (adverbial use: 'equally/level')

• शिरः: head
• शिरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन

• श्रेष्ठम्: excellent, best
• श्रेष्ठम्: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रेष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• पादे: in the foot
• पादे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• पाणितले: on the palm
• पाणितले: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाणितल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पाणेः तलम्)

• अथ: then, also
• अथ: Sambandha (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/विकल्पसूचक (particle: then/also)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक-निपात (disjunctive particle)

• वाजि-कुञ्जर-श्री-वृक्ष-यूप-इषु-यव-तोमरैः: with (marks such as) horse, elephant, prosperity, tree, sacrificial post, arrow, barley, spear
• वाजि-कुञ्जर-श्री-वृक्ष-यूप-इषु-यव-तोमरैः: Karana (Instrument/Means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाजि (प्रातिपदिक) + कुञ्जर (प्रातिपदिक) + श्री (प्रातिपदिक) + वृक्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + यूप (प्रातिपदिक) + इषु (प्रातिपदिक) + यव (प्रातिपदिक) + तोमर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व-समासः (वाजयश्च कुञ्जराश्च ... तोमराश्च)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ahimsa and restraint: recognition of vital/sensitive bodily loci and the gravity of striking them.

Vedantic Theme: Deha-anityatva (body’s fragility) prompting ethical restraint; dharma as protection of embodied beings.

Application: Avoid violence and coercion; treat vulnerable persons with care; in governance/household, prohibit punitive striking of head/feet/palms.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65.105-108 (continuation on auspicious marks and bodily signs)

FAQs

What is the importance of bodily ‘vital points’ in Garuda Purana punishments?

This verse highlights specific sensitive or principal body-parts (head, feet, palms) as focal points of torment, underscoring how karmic retribution is described as precise and embodied rather than abstract.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

It reflects the Garuda Purana’s broader narrative that the jīva, bearing karmic impressions, encounters structured consequences in Yama’s domain—often depicted through vivid, bodily punishments that mirror one’s deeds.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder to avoid harm and unethical conduct; the text frames moral choices as having tangible consequences, encouraging restraint, compassion, and dharmic living.