Shloka 13

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

Devanagari script

कोशगूढे दीर्घैर्भुग्नैश्च धनवर्जितः / बलवान्युद्धशीलश्च लघुशेक्तः स एव च

Transliteration

kośagūḍhe dīrghairbhugnaiśca dhanavarjitaḥ / balavānyuddhaśīlaśca laghuśektaḥ sa eva ca

Translation

(ലക്ഷണം) കോശത്തിനുള്ളിൽ മറഞ്ഞും രേഖകൾ ദീർഘവും വളഞ്ഞും ഇരുന്നാൽ അവൻ ധനവഞ്ചിതനാകും; എങ്കിലും അവൻ ബലവാനും യുദ്ധശീലനും, കൂടാതെ അല്പമൂത്രം വിസർജ്ജിക്കുന്നവനും ആകും.

Word by Word

• कोशगूढे: when (it is) hidden in the sheath
• कोशगूढे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कोश + गूढ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (कोशे गूढे = ‘sheath-hidden’)

• दीर्घैः: with long (ones)
• दीर्घैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीर्घ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• भुग्नैः: with bent (ones)
• भुग्नैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भुग्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; ‘भुग्न’ = bent/curved

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

• धनवर्जितः: devoid of wealth
• धनवर्जितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धन + वर्जित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (धनेन वर्जितः = ‘धन-रहितः’)

• बलवान्: strong
• बलवान्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बलवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• युद्धशीलः: warlike
• युद्धशीलः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युद्ध + शील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (युद्धे शीलं यस्य = ‘fond of fighting’)

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

• लघुशेक्तः: quick to ejaculate
• लघुशेक्तः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लघु + शेक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (लघु-शेक्तः = ‘quick-ejaculating’); शेक्त (देशीय/तद्भव-प्रायः) ‘शक्/शिच्’ इत्यादि-व्युत्पत्तिः अनिश्चित

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

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

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

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Karmic trade-offs: lack of wealth paired with physical strength and martial disposition; embodiment carries mixed fruits.

Vedantic Theme: Mixed karma-phala within one birth; guṇa/karma shaping temperament (yuddha-śīla).

Application: Channel strength into disciplined, ethical service; avoid equating material lack with lack of worth.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65.9-13 (same physiognomic chapter context)

FAQs

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

This verse treats certain physical features as outward indicators of a person’s likely material condition and temperament, reflecting karmic tendencies rather than mere appearance.

How does this verse explain karma through observable traits?

It correlates concealed or curved bodily ‘marks’ with outcomes like lack of wealth, while simultaneously indicating vigor and a combative disposition—suggesting mixed karmic results manifesting together.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder that strength or aggression does not guarantee prosperity; cultivate dharma, restraint, and right livelihood rather than relying on temperament or physical advantages.