Shloka 35

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

Devanagari script

शूरः स्यान्महिषग्रीवः शास्त्रात्तो मृगकण्ठकः / कम्बुग्रीवश्च नृपतिर्लम्बकण्ठो ऽतिभक्षकः

Transliteration

śūraḥ syānmahiṣagrīvaḥ śāstrātto mṛgakaṇṭhakaḥ / kambugrīvaśca nṛpatirlambakaṇṭho 'tibhakṣakaḥ

Translation

വീരനെ ‘മഹിഷഗ്രീവൻ’ (മഹിഷത്തെപ്പോലെ കണ്ഠമുള്ളവൻ) എന്നു പറയുന്നു; ശാസ്ത്രാർത്ഥത്തിൽ നിപുണനെ ‘മൃഗകണ്ഠൻ’ എന്നു വിളിക്കുന്നു. നൃപതിയെ ‘കംബുഗ്രീവൻ’ (ശംഖംപോലെ കണ്ഠമുള്ളവൻ) എന്നു പറയുന്നു; അതിഭക്ഷകനെ ‘ലംബകണ്ഠൻ’ എന്നു വർണ്ണിക്കുന്നു.

Word by Word

शूरःa hero; brave man

स्यात्may be

महिषग्रीवःone with a buffalo-like neck

शास्त्रात्तःtaken/derived from scripture (or weapon)

मृगकण्ठकःone with a deer-like throat

कम्बुग्रीवःone with a conch-like neck

चand

नृपतिःking

लम्बकण्ठःone with a long neck

अतिभक्षकःexcessive eater

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra; general speaker attribution for Garuda Purana discourse sections)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Bodily marks are read as indicators of disposition—valor, learning, rulership, or overindulgence.

Vedantic Theme: Guna-lakshana: outward traits as signs of inner tendencies; reminder that self-mastery (especially of appetite) supports dharma.

Application: Cultivate learning and restraint; treat such ‘marks’ as prompts for self-assessment rather than deterministic labels.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana physiognomy/lakṣaṇa passages in the same chapter context

Characters & Entities

Vishnu

Garuda

FAQs

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

This verse uses traditional lakṣaṇa language to connect visible traits (like neck form) with inner qualities such as bravery, scriptural understanding, royal bearing, or gluttony—serving as a moral-ethical teaching rather than mere description.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana?

It does not directly describe the soul’s post-death journey; instead, it teaches ethical discernment in embodied life—especially self-control (avoiding atibhakṣaṇa) and cultivation of śāstra-artha—qualities that shape karma and future outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate learning with understanding (śāstra-artha), practice moderation in food (avoid atibhakṣaka), and build courage and discipline—using the verse as a reminder that habits and character are reflected in one’s overall bearing.