Shloka 93

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

Devanagari script

निगूढगुल्फोपचितौ पद्मकान्तितलौ शुभौ / अस्वेदिनौ मृदुतलौ मत्स्याङ्कुशघ्वजाञ्चितौ

Transliteration

nigūḍhagulphopacitau padmakāntitalau śubhau / asvedinau mṛdutalau matsyāṅkuśaghvajāñcitau

Translation

Mắt cá chân của ngài kín đáo mà đầy đặn, vững chắc; lòng bàn chân cát tường, rạng ngời như cánh sen—không đổ mồ hôi, không thô ráp, mà mềm mại khi chạm—lại có các dấu hiệu hình cá, móc câu (ankusha) và lá cờ chiến thắng.

Word by Word

• nigūḍha-gulpha-upacitau: with hidden and well-developed ankles
• nigūḍha-gulpha-upacitau: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nigūḍha + gulpha + upacita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिकानि; upacita = √ci क्त, upa- उपसर्ग)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (gulphau nigūḍhau, upacitau = ankles hidden and well-formed)

• padma-kānti-talau: soles with lotus-like radiance
• padma-kānti-talau: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: padma + kānti + tala (प्रातिपदिकानि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; तत्पुरुष (padma-sadṛśī kāntiḥ yasya talayoḥ = lotus-like lustre of the soles)

• śubhau: auspicious
• śubhau: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; विशेषण

• asvedinau: non-sweating
• asvedinau: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-svedin (प्रातिपदिक; नञ्-समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; नञ्-तत्पुरुष (na svedinau = non-sweating)

• mṛdu-talau: soft-soled
• mṛdu-talau: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mṛdu + tala (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; कर्मधारय (talau mṛdū = soft soles)

• matsya-aṅkuśa-dhvaja-añcitau: marked with fish, goad, and banner (signs)
• matsya-aṅkuśa-dhvaja-añcitau: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: matsya + aṅkuśa + dhvaja + añcita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिकानि; añcita = √añc् क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; तत्पुरुष (matsyāṅkuśadhvajaiḥ añcitau = marked with fish, goad, and banner signs)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (describing auspicious bodily marks; dialogue to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Embodied signs (cihna) are read as outward tokens of inner merit (puṇya) and destined prosperity.

Vedantic Theme: Karma’s visible ‘signature’ on the body within māyā; the teaching remains within empirical causality.

Application: Use as cultural-symbolic literacy (how emblems communicate status); personally, cultivate merit through conduct rather than relying on signs.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Geographic Context

Type: palace

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.65.92 (preceding auspicious feet description)

FAQs

What is the importance of auspicious bodily marks in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats divine “lakṣaṇas” as signs of spiritual auspiciousness—identifying a supreme, beneficent being through specific sacred emblems and qualities.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing contemplation of the Lord’s auspicious form (especially the sacred feet), it supports devotional remembrance, which the Garuda Purana presents as a powerful aid for the soul’s well-being beyond death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a focus for reverent meditation or recitation—remembering the Lord’s auspicious feet and cultivating purity, softness in conduct, and steadiness in devotion.