Shloka 71

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

Devanagari script

दृक् स्निग्धा विपुला भोगे अल्पायुरधिकोन्नता / विशालोन्नता सुखिनी दरिद्रा विषमभ्रुवः

Transliteration

dṛk snigdhā vipulā bhoge alpāyuradhikonnatā / viśālonnatā sukhinī daridrā viṣamabhruvaḥ

Translation

หากดวงตาเป็นมันวาวและกว้างใหญ่ ผู้นั้นย่อมเสวยสุขสมบูรณ์ หากดวงตานูนโปนออกมามากเกินไป อายุจะสั้น หากดวงตาใหญ่และสูงเด่น ผู้นั้นจะมีความสุข แต่หากคิ้วไม่สม่ำเสมอ ผู้นั้นจะยากจน

Word by Word

• दृक्: the eye / gaze
• दृक्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दृश् (धातु) → दृक् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; ‘sight/eye’ (collective)

• स्निग्धा: glossy, smooth
• स्निग्धा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्निग्ध (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-विशेषण)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण—‘unctuous, glossy, affectionate’

• विपुला: large, wide
• विपुला: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विपुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण—‘broad, large’

• भोगे: in enjoyment
• भोगे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भोग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; अधिकरण—‘in enjoyment/pleasure’

• अल्पायुḥ: short-lived
• अल्पायुḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अल्प (प्रातिपदिक) + आयुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण—‘having short life’

• अधिकोन्नता: overly prominent
• अधिकोन्नता: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधिक (प्रातिपदिक) + उन्नत (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण—‘excessively raised/prominent’

• विशालोन्नता: broadly prominent
• विशालोन्नता: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विशाल (प्रातिपदिक) + उन्नत (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण—‘broad and prominent’

• सुखिनी: happy
• सुखिनी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुखिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण—‘happy, fortunate’

• दरिद्रा: poor
• दरिद्रा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दरिद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण—‘poor’

• विषमभ्रुवः: uneven-browed (people)
• विषमभ्रुवः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विषम (प्रातिपदिक) + भ्रू (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण—‘uneven-browed’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Bhoga (enjoyment), ayus (lifespan), sukha (happiness), and daridrya (poverty) are presented as karmically patterned outcomes inferred via signs (eyes/eyebrows).

Vedantic Theme: Impermanence of bhoga and ayus; encourages dispassion (vairagya) by showing how worldly fortunes fluctuate under karma.

Application: Cultivate moderation in pleasure, invest in health and longevity practices, and address social/financial instability with disciplined habits and generosity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65 (lakshana section: eyes, brows, forehead; continuity with 1.65.69-73)

FAQs

What is the importance of physiognomy (lakṣaṇa) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents bodily features as outward indicators of inner karmic tendencies and likely life outcomes, used as a didactic tool to understand karma’s visible signs.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by linking observable traits with pleasure, poverty, and lifespan, it implies that prior karma shapes embodied conditions, which then influence how a person lives and progresses spiritually.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat such descriptions as reflective teachings on karma and conduct—focus on ethical living, restraint, and dharma rather than judging others by appearance.