Shloka 54

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

Devanagari script

मांसलैश्च धनोपेता आरक्तैरधरैर्नृपाः / बिम्बोपमैश्च स्फुटितैरोष्ठैरूक्षैश्चकण्डितैः

Transliteration

māṃsalaiśca dhanopetā āraktairadharairnṛpāḥ / bimbopamaiśca sphuṭitairoṣṭhairūkṣaiścakaṇḍitaiḥ

Translation

กษัตริย์แลดูอวบอิ่มและมั่งคั่ง ริมฝีปากแดงดุจผลพิมพะ แต่กลับแตกแห้งและถลอกระคายเคืองด้วย

Word by Word

• मांसलैः: with fleshy (lips)
• मांसलैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मांसल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः (करण), बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्ययम् (conjunction)

• धन-उपेताः: endowed with wealth
• धन-उपेताः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धन (प्रातिपदिक) + उपेत (कृदन्त; √इ (इण्) + उपसर्ग उप, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषणम्

• आरक्तैः: with reddish
• आरक्तैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आरक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• अधरैः: lower lips
• अधरैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अधर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• नृपाः: kings
• नृपाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• बिम्ब-उपमैः: with (lips) like a bimba-fruit
• बिम्ब-उपमैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बिम्ब (प्रातिपदिक) + उपम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; उपमा-वाचक विशेषणम्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्ययम् (conjunction)

• स्फुटितैः: with cracked/split
• स्फुटितैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्फुटित (कृदन्त; √स्फुट् (स्फुटँ) क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषणम्

• ओष्ठैः: lips
• ओष्ठैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ओष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• ऊक्षैः: with rough/dry
• ऊक्षैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऊक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्ययम् (conjunction)

• कण्डितैः: with chapped/itching (lips)
• कण्डितैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कण्डित (कृदन्त; √कण्ड्/कण्डू (कण्डूयँ/कण्डँ) क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषणम्

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa / Vinatā-putra)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: External bodily marks are read as indicators of fortune and underlying karmic condition; prosperity can coexist with signs of depletion.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala manifesting in the body (śarīra as prārabdha-karman’s field).

Application: Use careful observation and self-care: do not rely on status alone; attend to signs of dryness/imbalance as warnings of decline or strain.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65 (lakṣaṇa/saṃudrika-style bodily signs)

Characters & Entities

• nṛpāḥ (kings)

FAQs

What is the importance of this description of kings in the Garuda Purana?

It highlights the contrast between outward prosperity and underlying suffering/imperfection, reinforcing that status and wealth do not remove the effects of karma and embodied limitation.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By stressing bodily vulnerability even in the powerful, it supports the Garuda Purana’s broader message that one should rely on dharma and right conduct—not worldly rank—when facing life’s transitions and the afterlife journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate humility and ethical leadership: do not equate wealth or position with spiritual security; prioritize dharma, restraint, and compassionate governance.