Shloka 43

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

Devanagari script

प्रोत्तानक रदातारो विषमैर्विषमा नराः / करैः करतलैश्चैव लाक्षाभैरीश्वरास्तलैः

Transliteration

prottānaka radātāro viṣamairviṣamā narāḥ / karaiḥ karatalaiścaiva lākṣābhairīśvarāstalaiḥ

Translation

Có người vì cảnh duyên bất bình và nghịch trái mà thân tướng méo mó—như kẻ bố thí với tay chân duỗi cứng. Tay và lòng bàn tay họ chịu khổ, và lòng bàn chân đỏ như bôi nhựa sơn (lākṣā), đều do nghiệp của chính mình.

Word by Word

• प्रोत्तानक: raised/upturned (prominent)
• प्रोत्तानक: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र + उत्तानक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास/विशेषणपद; प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन (रदातारः इत्यस्य विशेषणम्)

• रदातारः: those with prominent teeth
• रदातारः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रद + दातार (कृदन्त; √दा ‘दाने’ + तृच्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; समासः: रद-दातार (तत्पुरुष; ‘tooth-givers’ = having prominent teeth)

• विषमैः: with uneven (features)
• विषमैः: Hetu/Instrument (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विषम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• विषमाः: uneven/irregular
• विषमाः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विषम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• नराः: men
• नराः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• करैः: with hands
• करैः: Hetu/Instrument (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• करतलैः: with palms
• करतलैः: Hetu/Instrument (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: करतल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक निपात

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha/Emphasis (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphasis)

• लाक्षाभैः: reddish like lac
• लाक्षाभैः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लाक्षा + आभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; समासः: लाक्षा-आभ (तत्पुरुष; lac-like/reddish)

• ईश्वराः: lords/powerful persons
• ईश्वराः: Karta/Predicate noun (कर्ता/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• तलैः: with surfaces/palms
• तलैः: Hetu/Instrument (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; ‘करतल’ इत्यस्य पर्यायार्थे (surface/palm)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vainateya)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Karma leaves somatic traces: unevenness, affliction, and discoloration are read as results of deeds and hostile conditions.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-vipaka and dukha as samsaric markers; impetus toward vairagya (dispassion).

Application: Reflect on actions and their downstream effects; adopt ethical conduct and restorative practices; avoid blaming the afflicted—use the teaching for self-scrutiny.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65 (karmic reading of bodily marks)

FAQs

What is the importance of karma-based bodily marks in the Garuda Purana?

This verse illustrates that actions leave tangible consequences, described as visible afflictions on limbs, hands, palms, and soles—serving as a moral warning about karmic retribution.

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

Within the Preta Kanda’s framework, the soul’s post-death experience includes undergoing results of past deeds; the text depicts these results as specific sufferings and deformities, reinforcing the inevitability of karmic justice.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate ethical conduct and avoid harmful actions, recognizing that choices have consequences; live with restraint, honesty, and compassion to reduce suffering caused by one’s own karma.