Shloka 74

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

Devanagari script

निर्धना धनवन्तश्च अर्धेन्दुसदृशैर्नराः / आचार्याः शुक्तिविशालैः शिरालैः पापकारिणः

Transliteration

nirdhanā dhanavantaśca ardhendusadṛśairnarāḥ / ācāryāḥ śuktiviśālaiḥ śirālaiḥ pāpakāriṇaḥ

Translation

तेथे निर्धन व धनवान—दोघेही अर्धचंद्रासारख्या चिन्हांनी युक्त मनुष्यरूपाने दिसतात; आणि आचार्यही जर पापकर्म करणारे असतील तर शुक्तीसारखा विशाल मुख व उठलेल्या शिरा असलेले दिसतात।

Word by Word

• निर्धनाः: poor, without wealth
• निर्धनाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्धन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा (1st/Nominative) बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• धनवन्तः: wealthy
• धनवन्तः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धनवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा (1st/Nominative) बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम्

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

• अर्धेन्दु-सदृशैः: resembling a half-moon
• अर्धेन्दु-सदृशैः: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अर्धेन्दु (प्रातिपदिक) + सदृश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental) बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• नराः: men
• नराः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा (1st/Nominative) बहुवचनम्

• आचार्याः: teachers
• आचार्याः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा (1st/Nominative) बहुवचनम्

• शुक्ति-विशालैः: broad like an oyster-shell
• शुक्ति-विशालैः: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुक्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + विशाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental) बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• शिरालैः: veiny, with prominent veins
• शिरालैः: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिराल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental) बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• पाप-कारिणः: evil-doers
• पाप-कारिणः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पाप (प्रातिपदिक) + कारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा (1st/Nominative) बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Karma manifests as visible marks; social rank (including ācārya-status) does not shield one from the fruits of sin.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala and the ethical demand for inner purity over outer role; nāma-rūpa (social identity) is secondary to conduct.

Application: Do not rely on title, wealth, or learning as moral cover; cultivate integrity and avoid pāpa even in positions of authority.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: descriptions of Yama’s judgment and karmic marks on the subtle/physical form; Garuda Purana: warnings that even Brahmins/teachers fall by adharma

FAQs

What is the importance of karma over wealth or status in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that outward social position—poor or rich, even being an ācārya—does not override karmic results; sinful action still produces recognizable consequences.

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

In the Preta Kanda context, the departed encounter post-death conditions where moral causality becomes visible; the verse describes identifying marks that manifest due to pāpa (sin).

What is a practical application of this teaching today?

Cultivate integrity and restraint regardless of status, and treat religious authority as a responsibility—since ethical failure is not excused by learning, role, or wealth.