Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

निर्मांसजानुः सौभाग्यमल्पैर्निम्नै रतिः स्त्रियाः / विकटैश्च दरिद्राः स्युः समांसै राज्यमेव च

Transliteration

nirmāṃsajānuḥ saubhāgyamalpairnimnai ratiḥ striyāḥ / vikaṭaiśca daridrāḥ syuḥ samāṃsai rājyameva ca

Translation

膝に肉の乏しい者は福運あると説かれる。小さく低い相をもつ女は欲楽に傾きやすい。相の粗い者は貧に陥り、肉づき豊かな者はまことに王権を得る。

Word by Word

• निर्मांसजानुः: one having fleshless knees
• निर्मांसजानुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्मांस + जानु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—नञ्-तत्पुरुष (निर्मांसः) + षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/कर्मधारय-प्रायः (जानुः) = ‘निर्मांस-जानुः’

• सौभाग्यम्: good fortune
• सौभाग्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सौभाग्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd Nom/Acc), एकवचन

• अल्पैः: with small (ones)
• अल्पैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अल्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• निम्नैः: with low/depressed (ones)
• निम्नैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निम्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• रतिः: sexual desire/pleasure
• रतिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• स्त्रियाः: of a woman
• स्त्रियाः: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठीसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• विकटैः: with ugly/large (ones)
• विकटैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विकट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• दरिद्राः: poor
• दरिद्राः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दरिद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• स्युः: may be/should be
• स्युः: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन

• समांसैः: with fleshy (ones)
• समांसैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समांस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• राज्यम्: kingdom/rule
• राज्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd Nom/Acc), एकवचन

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय (particle of emphasis)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Bodily characteristics are read as karmic indicators of bhoga (enjoyment) and aiśvarya (prosperity/sovereignty) or daridratā (poverty).

Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala expressed through upādhi (body-mind adjuncts); worldly outcomes within saṃsāra.

Application: Use as a traditional diagnostic/interpretive lens for character and life-prospects; temper with ethical conduct rather than fatalism.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65 (deha-lakṣaṇa/saṃudrika-style signs); Garuda Purana sections on karma-phala and embodied signs (general)

FAQs

What is the importance of bodily signs (lakṣaṇa) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats physical characteristics as outward indicators of prior karma and likely life outcomes such as fortune, poverty, or authority.

How does this verse explain karma through observable traits?

By linking specific bodily features with results (saubhāgya, daridratā, rājyam), it presents physiognomy as a karmic ‘signature’ manifesting in the body.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reflective teaching on karma and consequences rather than as a basis for judging others; focus on dharma and ethical conduct to shape future outcomes.