Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

निः स्वस्य सृगालजङ्घा रौमैकैकं चकूपके / नृपाणां श्रोत्रियाणां च द्वेद्वे श्रिये च धीमताम्

Transliteration

niḥ svasya sṛgālajaṅghā raumaikaikaṃ cakūpake / nṛpāṇāṃ śrotriyāṇāṃ ca dvedve śriye ca dhīmatām

Translation

నిర్ధనుని విషయంలో తన శరీరంనుండి నక్క జంఘను, చిన్న గుంతలో ఒక్కొక్క రోమాన్ని తీసుకుంటారు; కానీ రాజులకూ, వేదాధ్యయనశీల శ్రోత్రియ బ్రాహ్మణులకూ రెండు రెండు తీసుకుంటారు—అలాగే శ్రీమంతులకూ ధీమంతులకూ కూడా।

Word by Word

• निःस्वस्य: of a poor man
• निःस्वस्य: Shashthi-sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: निःस्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन (Masculine, Genitive singular)

• सृगाल-जङ्घा: jackal-like shank
• सृगाल-जङ्घा: Visheshana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सृगाल (प्रातिपदिक) + जङ्घा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (Feminine, Nominative singular; 'jackal-like shank')

• रौम: hair (hairiness)
• रौम: Karma/Visheṣya (Object/thing described)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रोमन् (प्रातिपदिक) → रौम (तद्धित/विशेषण-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; 'hairiness/hair' (Neuter, Nom/Acc singular)

• एक-एकम्: each (one by one)
• एक-एकम्: Visheshana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; पुनरुक्त-द्वन्द्वः (Neuter, Nom/Acc singular; distributive 'each one')

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (Indeclinable; conjunction)

• कूपके: in the small pit/hollow
• कूपके: Adhikarana (Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कूपक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; अधिकरण (Masculine, Locative singular; location)

• नृपाणाम्: of kings
• नृपाणाम्: Shashthi-sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन (Masculine, Genitive plural)

• श्रोत्रियाणाम्: of learned Brahmins (śrotriyas)
• श्रोत्रियाणाम्: Shashthi-sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रोत्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन (Masculine, Genitive plural)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (Indeclinable; conjunction)

• द्वे-द्वे: two each
• द्वे-द्वे: Visheshana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, द्विवचन; पुनरुक्त-द्वन्द्वः (Feminine, Nom/Acc dual; distributive 'two each')

• श्रिये: for prosperity
• श्रिये: Sampradana (Dative/purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; सम्प्रदान/प्रयोजन (Feminine, Dative singular; for prosperity)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (Indeclinable; conjunction)

• धीमताम्: of the intelligent
• धीमताम्: Shashthi-sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: धीमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन (Masculine, Genitive plural)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra, per common Garuda Purana dialogue frame)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual/observance varies by status (king, śrotriya, prosperous, wise), reflecting differentiated dharma and symbolic equivalences in offerings.

Vedantic Theme: Social roles (upādhi) shape prescribed action; yet all actions remain within saṃsāric ritual economy unless oriented to liberation.

Application: Follow tradition with discernment and qualified guidance; avoid literalism where symbolism is intended; prioritize ethical intent over mere external compliance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual ground/pit (kūpaka)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha/ritual sections that use pits, offerings, and graded prescriptions (general parallel); Garuda Purana discussions of śrotriya and rāja status in ritual eligibility (thematic)

Characters & Entities

• nṛpa (king)
• śrotriya (Veda-learned Brāhmaṇa)

FAQs

What is the importance of differentiated ritual allotments in the Garuda Purana?

This verse indicates that ritual prescriptions may vary by social-religious role (e.g., king, śrotriya), emphasizing responsibility and status-based dharma within traditional frameworks.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader teachings on dharma?

It reflects the text’s concern with precise observance of prescribed acts and the belief that correct procedure—adjusted to one’s role—supports order, merit, and auspicious outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder to follow ethical duties appropriate to your responsibilities, and if performing traditional rites, do so under competent guidance rather than improvisation.