Shloka 32

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

Devanagari script

नृपाणामधमानां च खररोमशिरालकम् / अर्थवान्समवक्षाः स्यात्पीनैर्वक्षोभिरूर्जितः

Transliteration

nṛpāṇāmadhamānāṃ ca khararomaśirālakam / arthavānsamavakṣāḥ syātpīnairvakṣobhirūrjitaḥ

Translation

नृपाणामधमानां लक्षणं खररोमशिरालकं भवति; अर्थवान् तु समवक्षाः स्यात्, पीनैर्वक्षोभिरूर्जितः।

Word by Word

• नृपाणाम्: of kings
• नृपाणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/possessive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन (Masculine, Genitive plural)

• अधमानाम्: of the lowest/mean
• अधमानाम्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन; विशेषण (Masculine, Genitive plural; adjective)

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

• खररोमशिरालकम्: having rough hair and veiny curls/locks
• खररोमशिरालकम्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: खर (प्रातिपदिक) + रोम (प्रातिपदिक) + शिरा (प्रातिपदिक) + अलक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (Neuter singular; adjective)

• अर्थवान्: wealthy, possessing resources
• अर्थवान्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अर्थवत् (प्रातिपदिक; मतुप्-अन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (Masculine, Nominative singular; adjective)

• समवक्षाः: having an even chest
• समवक्षाः: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम (प्रातिपदिक) + वक्षस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (Masculine, Nominative singular; adjective)

• स्यात्: would be/should be
• स्यात्: Kriya (Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (लिङ्-लकार), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन (Optative, 3rd person singular)

• पीनैः: with full/plump
• पीनैः: Karana (Instrument/feature)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; विशेषण (Neuter, Instrumental plural; adjective)

• वक्षोभिः: with chests/breasts
• वक्षोभिः: Karana (Instrument/feature)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वक्षस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन (Neuter, Instrumental plural)

• ऊर्जितः: strengthened, vigorous
• ऊर्जितः: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऊर्जित (ऊर्ज्-धातु, क्त-कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (Masculine, Nominative singular; adjective)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Auspicious bodily symmetry and strength correspond to prosperity and capability; coarse traits indicate inferior type in rulership.

Vedantic Theme: Order (sāmya) as auspicious; embodied karma reflected in social station and capacity.

Application: Metaphor for leadership fitness: cultivate ‘evenness’ (balance), strength, and steadiness; avoid coarse, uncontrolled habits.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65 (nṛpa-lakṣaṇa: marks of kings)

Characters & Entities

• Nṛpa (kings)

FAQs

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

This verse uses traditional lakshana-ideas to correlate external features with inner disposition—contrasting “low” kingly traits with marks associated with prosperity and vigor.

How does this verse explain dharmic leadership in the Garuda Purana?

By implying that a worthy ruler is “ūrjita” (vigorous) and well-proportioned, it frames kingship as requiring strength and steadiness, while warning against traits associated with baseness.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat it as a symbolic reminder: leadership should reflect steadiness, strength, and integrity; do not judge people solely by appearance, but cultivate the inner qualities that healthy signs traditionally represent.