Shloka 114

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

Devanagari script

वामावर्तं निम्नमल्पं दुः खितानां च गुह्यकम् / ग्रीवया ह्रस्वया निः स्वा दीर्घया च कुलक्षयः

Transliteration

vāmāvartaṃ nimnamalpaṃ duḥ khitānāṃ ca guhyakam / grīvayā hrasvayā niḥ svā dīrghayā ca kulakṣayaḥ

Translation

वामावर्तं निम्नमल्पं च गुह्यकं दुःखितजीवनसूचकं कथ्यते। ग्रीवा ह्रस्वा चेत् निःस्वता, दीर्घा चेत् कुलक्षयः।

Word by Word

• वामावर्तम्: leftward curl/whorl
• वामावर्तम्: Visheshya (Predicate/लक्षण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाम + आवर्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समासः—वामः (left) + आवर्तः (turn)

• निम्नम्: low/depressed
• निम्नम्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निम्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण

• अल्पम्: small
• अल्पम्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अल्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण

• दुःखितानाम्: of the afflicted/sorrowful
• दुःखितानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुःखित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-भाव)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (सामान्यतः), षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन; सम्बन्ध (genitive)

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

• गुह्यकम्: the groin/secret part
• गुह्यकम्: Visheshya (Predicate/लक्षण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुह्यक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• ग्रीवया: by/with the neck
• ग्रीवया: Karana (Instrument/means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्रीवा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; करण/हेतु-निर्देश (by/with)

• ह्रस्वया: short
• ह्रस्वया: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ह्रस्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; विशेषण (ग्रीवया इति)

• निःस्वा: destitute/poor
• निःस्वा: Vidhaya (Predicate)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निःस्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; विशेषण/विधेय (predicate adjective)

• दीर्घया: long
• दीर्घया: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीर्घ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; विशेषण (ग्रीवया इति)

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

• कुलक्षयः: destruction of the family/lineage
• कुलक्षयः: Karta (Subject/Result)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुल + क्षय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; समासः—कुलस्य क्षयः (genitive tatpuruṣa)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Bodily lakṣaṇas are read as karmic indicators forecasting sukha/duḥkha and kula-kṣaya.

Vedantic Theme: Prārabdha-karma shaping embodied conditions (deha) and worldly outcomes; the body as a field where karma ripens.

Application: Use as a cautionary, culturally-situated omen-reading: reflect on ethical conduct and remedial dharma (charity, vows, devotion) rather than fatalism.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65 (lakṣaṇa/saṃudrika-style portents for bodily marks)

FAQs

What is the importance of bodily signs (samudrika lakshana) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats specific bodily features as karmic indicators, linking physical marks to likely life outcomes such as sorrow, poverty, or family decline.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it frames present bodily characteristics as effects of past karma, implying that the soul’s prior actions shape embodied conditions and future experiences.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reflective karmic teaching—prioritize ethical conduct and dharma rather than fatalism, since the Purana’s broader message emphasizes improving one’s future through right action.