Shloka 97

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

Devanagari script

गूढो मणिश्च शुभदो नितम्बश्च गुरुः शुभः / विस्तीर्णमांसोपचिता गम्भीरा विपुला शुभा

Transliteration

gūḍho maṇiśca śubhado nitambaśca guruḥ śubhaḥ / vistīrṇamāṃsopacitā gambhīrā vipulā śubhā

Translation

Pusatnya dalam dan membawa keberkatan; pinggulnya berat, terbentuk elok dan bertuah. Tubuhnya lebar, berdaging penuh, berlekuk dalam, luas dan serba auspisius.

Word by Word

• गूढः: hidden/concealed
• गूढः: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गूढ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण—मणिः इति विशेष्यस्य

• मणिः: the jewel (here: clitoris/sexual organ)
• मणिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

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

• शुभदः: bestowing auspiciousness
• शुभदः: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ + द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण—मणिः इति विशेष्यस्य

• नितम्बः: buttocks/hips
• नितम्बः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नितम्ब (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

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

• गुरुः: heavy/large
• गुरुः: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण—नितम्बः इति विशेष्यस्य

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

• विस्तीर्णमांसोपचिता: filled out with broad flesh
• विस्तीर्णमांसोपचिता: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विस्तीर्ण + मांस + उपचित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण—(श्रोणी/कटि इत्यर्थे) नितम्बसम्बद्ध-देहभागस्य

• गम्भीरा: deep
• गम्भीरा: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गम्भीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• विपुला: broad/large
• विपुला: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विपुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• शुभा: auspicious/beautiful
• शुभा: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Auspiciousness is linked with signs of stability, fullness, and well-formedness (gambhira, guru, upacita).

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-associated harmony is inferred from form (conventional inference; ultimate Self is beyond form).

Application: Reframe ‘stability and depth’ as inner qualities—steadiness, reliability—rather than body-based valuation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shringara

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65 (navel/hips/waist features in stri-lakshana sequence)

FAQs

What is the importance of auspicious body-signs (śubha-lakṣaṇa) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats specific physical features—deep navel, well-formed hips, and a full, balanced build—as traditional indicators of auspiciousness, prosperity, and wellbeing within classical lakṣaṇa (physiognomic) thought.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

This particular verse is not describing the after-death journey; it belongs to a descriptive section on auspicious characteristics (lakṣaṇa) and is more aligned with traditional ideals of form and fortune than with preta- or naraka-topics.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a cultural-literary reference for understanding traditional Indian ideals and symbolism, while prioritizing ethical conduct (dharma) and inner virtues as the lasting ‘auspicious marks’ in daily life.