Shloka 63

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

Devanagari script

भोगी वै निम्नगण्डः स्यान्मत्री सम्पूर्णगण्डकः / शुकनासः सुखी स्याच्च शुष्कनासो ऽतिजीवनः

Transliteration

bhogī vai nimnagaṇḍaḥ syānmatrī sampūrṇagaṇḍakaḥ / śukanāsaḥ sukhī syācca śuṣkanāso 'tijīvanaḥ

Translation

கன்னங்கள் தாழ்ந்தவர் இன்பவாதி எனவும், கன்னங்கள் நிறைந்தவர் ஆலோசகர்-தகுதியானவர் எனவும் கூறப்படுவர். கிளி போன்ற மூக்குடையவர் சுகமுடையவர்; உலர்ந்த (வாடிய) மூக்குடையவர் நீண்ட ஆயுளுடையவர்।

Word by Word

• भोगी: an enjoyer/wealthy man
• भोगी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भोगिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Masculine, Nominative singular)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-अव्यय/निपात (particle of emphasis)

• निम्नगण्डः: one with low cheeks
• निम्नगण्डः: Karta (Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निम्न + गण्ड (प्रातिपदिक-द्वय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Masculine, Nominative singular); कर्मधारयः (‘निम्नः गण्डः’=low cheek)

• स्यात्: would be/is said to be
• स्यात्: Kriya (Verb/action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन (3rd person singular)

• मत्री: a minister/counsellor
• मत्री: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मत्रिन्/मन्त्री (प्रातिपदिक; पाठभेदः)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Masculine, Nominative singular)

• सम्पूर्णगण्डकः: one with full cheeks
• सम्पूर्णगण्डकः: Karta (Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सम्-पूर्ण + गण्डक (प्रातिपदिक-द्वय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Masculine, Nominative singular); कर्मधारयः (‘सम्पूर्णः गण्डकः’=full cheek)

• शुकनासः: one with a parrot-like nose
• शुकनासः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुक + नास (प्रातिपदिक-द्वय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Masculine, Nominative singular); कर्मधारयः (‘शुकवत् नासः’=parrot-like nose)

• सुखी: happy/prosperous (one)
• सुखी: Karta (Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुखिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Masculine, Nominative singular)

• स्यात्: would be/is said to be
• स्यात्: Kriya (Verb/action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन (3rd person singular)

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

• शुष्कनासः: one with a dry nose
• शुष्कनासः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुष्क + नास (प्रातिपदिक-द्वय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Masculine, Nominative singular); कर्मधारयः (‘शुष्कः नासः’=dry nose)

• अतिजीवनः: very long-lived
• अतिजीवनः: Karta (Predicate nominative)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अति + जीवन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Masculine, Nominative singular); उपपद/तत्पुरुषः (‘अति’=excessively + ‘जीवन’=living); विशेषण

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instruction to Garuda / Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Disposition and destiny (bhoga, ministerial aptitude, sukha, āyus) are indicated by facial marks; bodily form is treated as karmic signature.

Vedantic Theme: Interplay of guṇa/saṃskāra with embodied expression; anitya of roles and outcomes, yet patterned by karma.

Application: Use as reflective typology: cultivate qualities of a good counselor (fullness/steadiness), pursue happiness through sattva, and support longevity through disciplined living.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65 (facial lakṣaṇas and outcomes)

FAQs

What is the importance of Samudrika (physiognomy) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse shows the text’s use of bodily signs (cheeks and nose) to infer temperament and life-outcomes—an applied, observational teaching within Adhyaya 65.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly address the after-death journey; instead, it describes character and destiny indicators during life, which in the broader Purana framework relate to one’s tendencies and resulting karma.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat such signs as traditional indicators rather than certainties; the practical takeaway is to focus on cultivating counsel-worthy qualities (steadiness, discernment) and contentment, regardless of physical features.