Shloka 14

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

Devanagari script

दुर्बलस्त्वेकवृषणो विषमाभ्याञ्चलः स्त्रियाम् / समाभ्यां क्षितिपः प्रोक्तः प्रलम्बेन शताब्दवान्

Transliteration

durbalastvekavṛṣaṇo viṣamābhyāñcalaḥ striyām / samābhyāṃ kṣitipaḥ proktaḥ pralambena śatābdavān

Translation

దుర్బలుడై, ఒకే వృషణమున్న పురుషునికి స్త్రీపై అతని అధోవస్త్రాంచలం అసమంగా పడితే—ఆంచలం సమంగా ఉంటే అతడు ‘క్షితిప’ (రాజస్వభావి) అని చెప్పబడును; అది దీర్ఘంగా వేలాడితే శతాబ్దాయువు కలవాడని భావించబడును।

Word by Word

• दुर्बलः: weak
• दुर्बलः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर्बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/विरोधार्थक-निपात (particle: but/indeed)

• एकवृषणः: having one testicle
• एकवृषणः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक) + वृषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (one + testicle)

• विषमाभ्याम्: with two unequal (ones)
• विषमाभ्याम्: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विषम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (contextual), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), द्विवचन (Dual)

• अञ्चलः: edge/hem; (here) a bodily feature/appendage
• अञ्चलः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अञ्चल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• स्त्रियाम्: in a woman
• स्त्रियाम्: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन

• समाभ्याम्: with two equal (ones)
• समाभ्याम्: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (contextual), तृतीया-विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• क्षितिपः: king (lord of the earth)
• क्षितिपः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षितिप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्रोक्तः: is said/declared
• प्रोक्तः: Karma (Predicate participle/कर्म-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + वच् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय, past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• प्रलम्बेन: with a long/hanging (one)
• प्रलम्बेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रलम्ब (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• शताब्दवान्: having a hundred-year lifespan
• शताब्दवान्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शत (प्रातिपदिक) + अब्द (प्रातिपदिक) + वत् (प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; शत-अब्द (hundred years) + वत् (possessing)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Bodily marks and comportment are read as indicators of karmic disposition and life-outcome (status, longevity).

Vedantic Theme: Prārabdha-karma shaping the body (śarīra) and life-span; the Self remains distinct from bodily signs.

Application: Treat such signs as reflective indicators rather than identity; use them to cultivate prudence, humility, and ethical living rather than fatalism.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65 (nimitta/lakṣaṇa context continuing into gem and bodily-sign sections)

FAQs

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

This verse treats certain physical features and how clothing hangs as omens used to infer tendencies like royal disposition and indications of longevity.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

It does not directly discuss the post-death journey; instead, it belongs to an omen/physiognomy context that classifies signs related to worldly fortune and lifespan.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Read it as a historical omenological tradition rather than a deterministic rule—prioritize ethical conduct and healthful living over judging fate by bodily marks.