Shloka 40
Purusha-Strī-Lakṣaṇa (Samudrika-śāstra): Marks of Kingship, Wealth, Longevity, and Conduct
स्थूलाङ्गुलीभिर्निः स्वाः स्युर्नताः स्युः सुकृशैस्तदा / कपितुल्यकराः निः स्वा व्याघ्रतुल्यकरैर्बलम्
sthūlāṅgulībhirniḥ svāḥ syurnatāḥ syuḥ sukṛśaistadā / kapitulyakarāḥ niḥ svā vyāghratulyakarairbalam
మోటివేళ్లు గలవారు సాధారణంగా దరిద్రులవుతారు; అతిగా కృశించినప్పుడు మనుష్యులు వంగిపోతారు. కోతిలాంటి చేతులు దారిద్ర్య సూచకాలు; పులిలాంటి చేతులు బల సూచకాలు.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Dosha: Vata
Concept: Embodied markers are read as karmic indicators of prosperity (shri) or deprivation (daridrya) and of bala (strength).
Vedantic Theme: Karma-vipaka expressed through the body; relative outcomes within samsara.
Application: Treat ‘signs’ as prompts for self-improvement: build strength through discipline, avoid fatalism, and support those in hardship rather than stigmatizing them.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65 (continuation of hand/palm lakshanas)
FAQs
This verse treats certain physical features as outward indicators of inner disposition and karmic fruition—signs traditionally used to infer strength, hardship, or prosperity.
By linking conditions like poverty or strength with visible traits, the text frames worldly circumstances as outcomes that can manifest in embodied form, consistent with karmic causality emphasized throughout the Purana.
Rather than judging others, take it as a reminder to build strength and stability through dharma—right conduct, discipline, and charity—so that one’s future conditions improve through wholesome karma.