Shloka 13

Strīlakṣaṇa: Auspicious Marks, Domestic Ideals, and Saubhāgya Practices

Devanagari script

चक्षुः स्नेहेन सौभाग्यं दन्तस्नेहेन भोजनम् / त्वचः स्नेहेन शाय्यां च पादस्नेहेन वाहनम्

Transliteration

cakṣuḥ snehena saubhāgyaṃ dantasnehena bhojanam / tvacaḥ snehena śāyyāṃ ca pādasnehena vāhanam

Translation

கண்களில் எண்ணெய் தடவினால் நல்வாழ்வு; பற்களில் எண்ணெய் தடவினால் உணவின் இன்பம். தோலில் எண்ணெய் தடவினால் படுக்கைச் சுகம்; பாதங்களில் எண்ணெய் தடவினால் பயணத்தில் வாகனமெனும் இலகு கிடைக்கும்।

Word by Word

• चक्षुः: eye
• चक्षुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्षुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• स्नेहेन: by unctuousness/oiliness
• स्नेहेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नेह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन

• सौभाग्यम्: good fortune, auspiciousness
• सौभाग्यम्: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सौभाग्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• दन्तस्नेहेन: by the smoothness of the teeth
• दन्तस्नेहेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दन्त + स्नेह (प्रातिपदिक); समास
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (दन्तानां स्नेहः)

• भोजनम्: food, eating
• भोजनम्: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भोजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• त्वचः: of the skin
• त्वचः: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन (त्वचः = of the skin)

• स्नेहेन: by oiliness
• स्नेहेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नेह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन

• शाय्याम्: bed, couch
• शाय्याम्: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शाय्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• पादस्नेहेन: by the smoothness of the feet
• पादस्नेहेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद + स्नेह (प्रातिपदिक); समास
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पादानां स्नेहः)

• वाहनम्: vehicle, conveyance
• वाहनम्: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाहन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Care of the body through oiling (sneha/abhyanga) supports prosperity, nourishment, rest, and mobility—embodied dharma through disciplined routine.

Vedantic Theme: Body as an instrument (śarīra-sādhana) for dharma; sattvic order through regulated habits.

Application: Adopt regular self-massage/oiling appropriate to climate and constitution; maintain oral and eye care; treat ‘fortune’ as the downstream effect of health, confidence, and steadiness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.64.14 (auspicious bodily marks; continues bodily/auspiciousness theme)

FAQs

What is the importance of oil anointing (sneha/abhyanga) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents oiling as a dharmic self-care practice that supports auspiciousness, nourishment, rest, and ease of movement—linking bodily upkeep with well-being.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly describe the after-death journey; instead, it belongs to the conduct/health instructions, emphasizing disciplined living that supports dharma and steadiness of life.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt regular, moderate oiling—especially of feet and skin—as a simple routine for comfort, stability, and better daily functioning.