Shloka 96

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

Devanagari script

अश्वत्थपत्रसदृशं विपुलं गुह्यमुत्तमम् / श्रोणीललाटकं स्त्रीणामूरु कूर्मोन्नतं शुभम्

Transliteration

aśvatthapatrasadṛśaṃ vipulaṃ guhyamuttamam / śroṇīlalāṭakaṃ strīṇāmūru kūrmonnataṃ śubham

Translation

അവളുടെ ഗുഹ്യഭാഗം അശ്വത്ഥപത്രംപോലെ വിശാലവും ഉത്തമവുമാകുന്നു. സ്ത്രീകളിൽ ശ്രോണിപ്രദേശം ഉന്നതമാണ്; കൂർമ്മപൃഷ്ഠംപോലെ ഉയർന്ന ഊരു ശുഭമെന്നു കരുതുന്നു।

Word by Word

• अश्वत्थपत्रसदृशम्: resembling an aśvattha leaf
• अश्वत्थपत्रसदृशम्: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अश्वत्थ + पत्र + सदृश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण—(गुह्यम्) इति विशेष्यस्य

• विपुलम्: broad/large
• विपुलम्: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विपुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण—गुह्यम् इति विशेष्यस्य

• गुह्यम्: the secret part (genital region)
• गुह्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुह्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• उत्तमम्: excellent
• उत्तमम्: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण—गुह्यम् इति विशेष्यस्य

• श्रोणीललाटकम्: the hip-forehead (prominent front of the hips/pelvis)
• श्रोणीललाटकम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रोणी + ललाटक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• स्त्रीणाम्: of women
• स्त्रीणाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• ऊरु: thigh
• ऊरु: Sambandha (Appositional/related term)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऊरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद-रूपेण)

• कूर्मोन्नतम्: raised like a tortoise (turtle-backed)
• कूर्मोन्नतम्: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कूर्म + उन्नत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण—श्रोणीललाटकम् इति विशेष्यस्य

• शुभम्: auspicious/beautiful
• शुभम्: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण—श्रोणीललाटकम् इति विशेष्यस्य

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in discourse to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Use of sacred/natural metaphors to encode ideals of fertility, prosperity, and auspicious embodiment in traditional texts.

Vedantic Theme: Symbolic sacralization of prakriti; the sacred (aśvattha) used to confer mangala meaning (vyavaharika level).

Application: Read metaphorically and historically; in modern use, treat as cultural symbolism rather than prescriptive standards.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shringara

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: sacred tree (symbolic)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65 (stri-lakshana section; continued description of hips/waist/thighs)

FAQs

What is the importance of describing auspicious bodily marks in the Garuda Purana?

This verse reflects the text’s traditional lakṣaṇa (marks) framework, where certain physical features are treated as indicators of auspiciousness and suitability within a dharmic, household-oriented worldview.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul or afterlife teachings?

It does not directly address the soul’s journey or Yama’s realm; instead, it belongs to a descriptive section on bodily characteristics (lakṣaṇa) and auspicious signs within Kanda 1’s conduct-oriented material.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Read it as a historical-cultural lens on traditional ideals rather than a literal standard; the enduring takeaway is to prioritize dharmic character and ethical conduct over external appearance.