Shloka 10
Lakṣaṇas of Men: Feet, Shanks, Hair, Genitals, Abdomen, and Lines of Longevity
Forehead & Palm
सर्पोदरा दरिद्राः स्यू रेखाभिश्चायुरुच्यते / ललाटे यस्य दृश्यन्ते तिस्रो रेखाः समाहिताः
sarpodarā daridrāḥ syū rekhābhiścāyurucyate / lalāṭe yasya dṛśyante tisro rekhāḥ samāhitāḥ
Ang may tiyan na tulad ng ahas ay sinasabing dukha; at ang haba ng buhay ay binibigkas ayon sa mga guhit na tanda. Yaong may tatlong malinaw at maayos na guhit sa noo ay ipinahihiwatig na may tanda ng mahabang buhay.
Lord Viṣṇu (speaking to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)
Concept: Embodied marks are read as indicators of prior karma’s fruition (daridratā/āyus) manifesting in the body.
Vedantic Theme: Prārabdha-karma shaping the body-mind complex (upādhi) while the Self remains untouched.
Application: Use such signs as prompts for ethical living, charity, and devotion rather than fatalism; treat them as cautionary indicators, not absolute certainties.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.63 (āyur-lakṣaṇa/śarīra-lakṣaṇa context); Garuda Purana Pretakalpa sections on karma-phala (general thematic link)
FAQs
This verse treats bodily lines as omens used to infer life conditions such as longevity; three well-formed forehead lines are presented as a notable indicator in such physiognomic reading.
It does not directly describe the soul’s post-death journey; instead, it belongs to teachings on external signs (lakṣaṇa) used to infer worldly outcomes like poverty or longevity, which are understood as karmic results.
Use it as a cultural-ethical reminder that actions shape outcomes (karma), rather than as deterministic judgment of a person’s worth; prioritize dharma, health, and charity over superstition.