Shloka 68
Kāraṇānvēṣaṇam: The 32 Marks of Hari, Defects (Doṣas), Death-Omens, and Hari’s Omnipresence in Social & Household Life
त्रिभिः केच्चित्ततो हीना न संति खगसत्तम / यस्मिन्नरे क्षितिपे वा खगेन्द्र आधिक्यं यद्दृश्यते लक्षणस्य
tribhiḥ keccittato hīnā na saṃti khagasattama / yasminnare kṣitipe vā khagendra ādhikyaṃ yaddṛśyate lakṣaṇasya
ஓ பறவைகளில் சிறந்தவனே! சிலர் மூன்று (இலக்கணங்களில்) குறைவுடையோர்; ஆனால் முற்றிலும் இலக்கணமற்றோர் எவரும் இல்லை. எந்த மனிதனில்—சாதாரணனாக இருந்தாலும் அரசனாக இருந்தாலும்—ஓ கருடேந்திரா, நற்குறிகளின் மிகை காணப்படுகிறதோ, அதுவே அந்த இலக்கணங்களில் மேன்மையின் அறிகுறி.
Lord Vishnu
Concept: No embodied person is entirely without some auspicious markers; comparative excellence is inferred from the predominance of auspicious characteristics.
Vedantic Theme: Relative excellence belongs to upadhi (conditioning attributes); true Self is beyond marks, yet worldly discernment operates through them.
Application: Adopt balanced judgment: look for strengths even in imperfect people; identify excellence by consistent patterns of virtue rather than isolated traits.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.22.65-67 (enumerations); Garuda Purana 3.22.69 (non-absoluteness of supremacy)
FAQs
This verse treats lakṣaṇas as observable indicators of excellence: even if some people lack a few signs, a noticeable abundance of auspicious marks is presented as a criterion of superiority.
It states that whether one is a common man or a ruler, the determining factor is the degree to which auspicious characteristics are manifest—greater abundance implies higher standing in those signs.
Use it as a reminder to value consistent noble qualities and conduct (visible traits) over mere status—cultivate virtues that become evident in behavior and character.