Shloka 87

Devanagari script

षडुन्नतश्चतुर्ह्रस्वो रक्तः सप्तस्वसौ नृपः / नाभिः स्वरश्च ससत्त्वं च त्रयं गम्भीरमीरितम्

Transliteration

ṣaḍunnataścaturhrasvo raktaḥ saptasvasau nṛpaḥ / nābhiḥ svaraśca sasattvaṃ ca trayaṃ gambhīramīritam

Translation

ആറ് ലക്ഷണങ്ങൾ ഉന്നതം (ഉയർന്നത്) എന്നും, നാല് ഹ്രസ്വം (ചെറുത്) എന്നും, വർണം രക്തിമം എന്നും, രാജസ്വഭാവം ഏഴ് ‘സ്വസ’ (സഹായഗുണങ്ങൾ) സഹിതമെന്നും പറയുന്നു. നാഭി, സ്വരം, സത്ത്വം—ഇവ മൂന്നും ഗംഭീര (ആഴമുള്ള) ലക്ഷണങ്ങളായി കീര്ത്തിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു।

Word by Word

• षट्: six
• षट्: Sambandha (Measure)
• Type: Noun
• Root: षट् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्याशब्दः; अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः (numeral ‘six’, used adverbially/elliptically)

• उन्नतः: raised/elevated
• उन्नतः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उन्नत (कृदन्त; √नम् उन्नतौ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा एकवचनम्; भूतकृदन्त (PPP: ‘raised/elevated’)

• चतुर्: four
• चतुर्: Sambandha (Measure)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चतुर् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्याशब्दः; अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः (numeral ‘four’)

• ह्रस्वः: short
• ह्रस्वः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ह्रस्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (short; nom. sg., masc.)

• रक्तः: red
• रक्तः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रक्त (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त; √रञ्ज्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (red; nom. sg., masc.)

• सप्तसु: in seven (places/items)
• सप्तसु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सप्त (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण) बहुवचनम्; संख्याशब्दः (locative plural: ‘in seven’)

• असौ: that (person)
• असौ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असद्/अदस् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा एकवचनम् (nom. sg., masc.; demonstrative ‘that/he’)

• नृपः: king
• नृपः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा एकवचनम् (nom. sg., masc.)

• नाभिः: navel
• नाभिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाभि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे प्रथमा एकवचनम् (nom. sg., fem.)

• स्वरः: voice/tone
• स्वरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा एकवचनम् (nom. sg., masc.)

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

• ससत्त्वम्: vitality/strength (with essence)
• ससत्त्वम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स + सत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा एकवचनम्; ‘स’ उपसर्गवत्/सह-अर्थे (nom. sg., neut.; ‘with vitality/essence’)

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

• त्रयम्: a triad / three
• त्रयम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम्; संख्याशब्दः (three; nom./acc. sg., neut.)

• गम्भीरम्: deep
• गम्भीरम्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गम्भीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (deep; nom./acc. sg., neut.)

• ईरितम्: is declared
• ईरितम्: Kriya (Predicate/Result)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √ईर् (धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम्; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP: ‘said/declared’)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Leadership is associated with certain embodied signs interpreted as indicators of steadiness, vitality, and authority.

Vedantic Theme: Guṇa and karma shaping embodiment; dharmic kingship as a support for loka-saṅgraha (social order).

Application: In choosing leaders, value depth (voice), steadiness (gambhīratā), and vitality; interpret ‘signs’ as metaphors for competence rather than mere appearance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: royal assessment / courtly discourse (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: surrounding lakṣaṇa verses on nṛpa marks and auspicious/inauspicious bodily features

FAQs

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

This verse uses lakṣaṇa-style descriptors to classify a person’s nature and capacity, highlighting how outward traits are traditionally read alongside inner vitality (sattva) and voice as indicators of depth and steadiness.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing sattva (inherent vitality/quality of being), it points to the inner constitution that influences conduct and destiny—key themes in Garuda Purana discussions of karma and outcomes after death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prioritize cultivating sattva—clarity, steadiness, and ethical discipline—since the verse treats inner vitality and depth (e.g., voice/gravitas) as foundational markers of a well-grounded life.