Shloka 77

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

Devanagari script

प्रचुराश्रुदीनं रूक्षं च रुदितं च सुखावहम् / अकम्पं हसितं श्रेष्ठं मीलिताक्षमघावहम्

Transliteration

pracurāśrudīnaṃ rūkṣaṃ ca ruditaṃ ca sukhāvaham / akampaṃ hasitaṃ śreṣṭhaṃ mīlitākṣamaghāvaham

Translation

അധികാശ്രുവുള്ള ദീനകരച്ചിലും രൂക്ഷമായ വിലാപവും സുഖാവഹമെന്ന് പറയപ്പെടുന്നു; എന്നാൽ ശ്രേഷ്ഠം കുലുക്കമില്ലാത്ത സ്ഥിരഹാസ്യം, കൂടാതെ കണ്ണുകൾ അടയ്ക്കൽ പാപഹരം.

Word by Word

• प्रचुर-अश्रु-दीनम्: wretched with abundant tears
• प्रचुर-अश्रु-दीनम्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रचुर (प्रातिपदिक) + अश्रु (प्रातिपदिक) + दीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd) एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• रूक्षम्: harsh, dry
• रूक्षम्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रूक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd) एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction/particle)

• रुदितम्: weeping, crying
• रुदितम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुदित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-भाव)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd) एकवचनम्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction/particle)

• सुख-आवहम्: bringing happiness
• सुख-आवहम्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक) + आवह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd) एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• अकम्पम्: unshaking, steady
• अकम्पम्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अकम्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd) एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• हसितम्: laughter, smiling
• हसितम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हसित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-भाव)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd) एकवचनम्

• श्रेष्ठम्: excellent, best
• श्रेष्ठम्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रेष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd) एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• मीलित-अक्षम्: with closed eyes
• मीलित-अक्षम्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मीलित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त) + अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd) एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• अघ-आवहम्: bringing sin/evil
• अघ-आवहम्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अघ (प्रातिपदिक) + आवह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd) एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Immediately after death (pre-cremation handling; part of antyeṣṭi observances)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Different modes of grief have effects; the highest is steadiness and auspicious composure; closing the deceased’s eyes is a purificatory act (aghāva-hara).

Vedantic Theme: Sattvic steadiness (sthiti) amid impermanence; ritual action as support for mind’s purification and orderly transition.

Application: During last rites, maintain calm presence; perform respectful bodily rites (including closing eyes) with mantra and steadiness; avoid chaotic displays that disturb others.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: antyeṣṭi and post-death handling of the body; auspicious acts for the preta’s welfare; Garuda Purana: sin-removing efficacy of proper rites and composure

FAQs

What is the importance of disciplined mourning in the Garuda Purana?

This verse contrasts distressing, harsh lamentation with composed conduct, indicating that steadiness and proper ritual actions are spiritually preferable and beneficial.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death?

By emphasizing correct conduct at death—especially calmness and ritual acts like closing the eyes—it frames the immediate post-death moment as dharmically significant for the departed’s onward journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain composure during bereavement, avoid uncontrolled or harsh lamentation, and follow respectful last rites carefully—treating small ritual duties as meaningful acts of dharma.