Shloka 47
Purusha-Strī-Lakṣaṇa (Samudrika-śāstra): Marks of Kingship, Wealth, Longevity, and Conduct
घनाङ्गुलिश्च सधनस्तिस्रो रेखाश्चयस्य वै / नृपतेः करतलगा मणिबन्धात्समुत्थिताः
ghanāṅguliśca sadhanastisro rekhāścayasya vai / nṛpateḥ karatalagā maṇibandhātsamutthitāḥ
指が太く整い、手首の関節より起こる掌線が明らかに三本ある者——その男は王たるにふさわしいと説かれる。
Lord Vishnu
Concept: Lakṣaṇas (thick, well-formed fingers; three palm lines rising from the wrist) indicate suitability for rulership—implying a dharmic order where capacity and destiny align.
Vedantic Theme: Svadharma and prārabdha: one’s station and aptitude arise from prior causes; rightful action is to perform the role with dharma.
Application: If placed in leadership, cultivate rāja-dharma: protection, justice, generosity, restraint; if not, honor one’s own svadharma without envy.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65: continuing saṃudrika signs for status and destiny.
FAQs
This verse treats bodily features—especially palm signs—as traditional indicators of a person’s suitability for roles like kingship, linking outer marks with inner capacity and destiny.
It states that thick, well-formed fingers and three clear palm-lines rising from the wrist are considered auspicious marks associated with a kingly nature.
Read it as a cultural lens on leadership: it emphasizes discernment in choosing leaders, valuing stable, well-endowed, and auspiciously “qualified” traits—interpretable today as competence and integrity rather than literal palm-reading.