Shloka 103

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

Devanagari script

सुमांसलं कर्णयुग्मं समं मृदु समाहितम् / स्निग्धा नीलाश्च मृदवो मूर्धजाः कुञ्चिताः कचाः

Transliteration

sumāṃsalaṃ karṇayugmaṃ samaṃ mṛdu samāhitam / snigdhā nīlāśca mṛdavo mūrdhajāḥ kuñcitāḥ kacāḥ

Translation

ചെവികളുടെ ജോടി സുമാംസളവും സമവും മൃദുവും സുസ്ഥിതവുമായിരിക്കണം. മുടി സ്നിഗ്ധമായി, നീലശ്യാമമായി, മൃദുവായി, സ്വാഭാവികമായി കുഞ്ചിതമായിരിക്കണം.

Word by Word

• सुमांसलम्: very fleshy/well-fleshed
• सुमांसलम्: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु- (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + मांसल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; अव्ययीभाव-समास (सु + मांसल)

• कर्णयुग्मम्: pair of ears
• कर्णयुग्मम्: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + युग्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• समम्: even, symmetrical
• समम्: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• मृदु: soft
• मृदु: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मृदु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (indeclinable-like adjective form)

• समाहितम्: well-set/placed, composed
• समाहितम्: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-आ-धा (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP)

• स्निग्धाः: smooth/oily
• स्निग्धाः: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्निग्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• नीलाः: black/blue
• नीलाः: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

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

• मृदवः: soft (plural)
• मृदवः: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मृदु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• मूर्धजाः: hair (lit. head-born)
• मूर्धजाः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूर्धन् (प्रातिपदिक) + ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• कुञ्चिताः: curled
• कुञ्चिताः: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुञ्च् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP)

• कचाः: locks of hair
• कचाः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śubha-lakṣaṇa through harmony of softness, symmetry, and well-kept appearance (snigdha, mṛdu, sama).

Vedantic Theme: Outer order as a metaphor for inner composure; sattvic refinement expressed as cleanliness and balance.

Application: In art/iconography, render ears proportionate and hair glossy/dark/curled; in conduct, maintain cleanliness and dignified grooming without vanity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shringara

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65.99-102

FAQs

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

This verse treats balanced, gentle physical traits as outward indicators traditionally associated with inner steadiness and dharmic disposition.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by describing marks linked with virtue and composure, it aligns outer conduct and inner qualities that support a favorable post-death trajectory in the Purana’s broader teaching.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder to cultivate the inner qualities implied—calmness, cleanliness, and self-control—rather than obsessing over appearance.