Shloka 99

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

Devanagari script

कठिनौ रोमशा शस्ता मृदुग्रीवा च कम्बुभा / आरक्तावधरौ श्रेष्ठौ मांसलं वर्तुलं मुखम्

Transliteration

kaṭhinau romaśā śastā mṛdugrīvā ca kambubhā / āraktāvadharau śreṣṭhau māṃsalaṃ vartulaṃ mukham

Translation

กายควรแน่นมั่นและมีขนงาม สมส่วน; ลำคออ่อนนุ่มและลำคอสง่างามดุจสังข์. ริมฝีปากแดงเรื่ออันประเสริฐ; ใบหน้าอิ่มเอิบและกลมมน.

Word by Word

• कठिनौ: hard/firm (two)
• कठिनौ: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कठिन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), द्विवचन (Dual)

• रोमशौ: hairy (two)
• रोमशौ: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रोमश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• शस्तौ: well-formed/praised (two)
• शस्तौ: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• मृदुग्रीवा: having a soft neck
• मृदुग्रीवा: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मृदु (प्रातिपदिक) + ग्रीवा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Singular)

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

• कम्बुभा: conch-like (in lustre/shape)
• कम्बुभा: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कम्बु (प्रातिपदिक) + भा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• आरक्तौ: reddish (two)
• आरक्तौ: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ-रक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• अधरौ: lips (two)
• अधरौ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अधर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• श्रेष्ठौ: excellent (two)
• श्रेष्ठौ: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रेष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• मांसलम्: fleshy
• मांसलम्: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मांसल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन

• वर्तुलम्: round
• वर्तुलम्: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर्तुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• मुखम्: face/mouth
• मुखम्: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śubha-lakṣaṇa: auspicious bodily marks as indicators of refinement, fortune, and suitability.

Vedantic Theme: Guṇa–karma and prārabdha reflected in embodied characteristics; the body as a field where past causes appear as signs (nimitta).

Application: Use as a traditional checklist for describing/visualizing an ideal form in narrative, iconographic, or matrimonial/auspicious assessment contexts, with ethical restraint (non-harmful, non-discriminatory use).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shringara

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65.100-103 (continuation of lakṣaṇa descriptions)

FAQs

What is the importance of physical signs described in the Garuda Purana?

This verse lists auspicious bodily features, reflecting the Purana’s tradition of linking outward marks with inner disposition and merit (puṇya) in a dharmic framework.

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

It does not directly discuss the after-death journey; instead, it belongs to descriptive teachings on characteristics and marks, which the text often associates with one’s accumulated karma and qualities.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder to prioritize inner virtues and ethical conduct (dharma), treating outward descriptions as symbolic indicators rather than grounds for judging others.