The Marks of a Woman

Verse 1 (skanda.4.37.1)

स्कंद उवाच॥ सदा गृही सुखं भुंक्ते स्त्री लक्षणवती यदि॥ अतः सुखसमृद्ध्यर्थमादौ लक्षणमीक्षयेत्

skaṁda uvāca sadā gṛhī sukhaṁ bhuṁkte strī lakṣaṇavatī yadi ataḥ sukhasamṛddhyarthamādau lakṣaṇamīkṣayet

Skanda said: "A householder always enjoys happiness if his wife possesses auspicious bodily marks; therefore, for the sake of happiness and prosperity, her marks should be examined first of all."

Verse 2 (skanda.4.37.2)

वपुरावर्तगंधाश्चच्छाया सत्वं स्वरो गतिः॥ वर्णश्चेत्यष्टधा प्रोक्ता बुधैर्लक्षणभूमिका

vapurāvartagaṁdhāścacchāyā satvaṁ svaro gatiḥ varṇaścetyaṣṭadhā proktā budhairlakṣaṇabhūmikā

The build of the body, the whorls of hair, fragrance, radiance of complexion, temperament, voice, gait, and coloring -- these eight, the wise declare, form the ground upon which the reading of a woman's marks rests.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.37.3)

आपादतलमारभ्य यावन्मौलिरुहं क्रमात्॥ शुभाशुभानि वक्ष्यामि लक्षणानि मुने शृणु

āpādatalamārabhya yāvanmauliruhaṁ kramāt śubhāśubhāni vakṣyāmi lakṣaṇāni mune śṛṇu

O sage, listen: beginning from the soles of the feet and proceeding in order up to the hair of the crown, I shall describe the marks, both auspicious and inauspicious.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.37.4)

आदौ पादतलं रेखास्ततोंगुष्ठांगुली नखाः॥ पृष्ठगुल्फद्वयं पार्ष्णी जंघे रोमाणि जानुनी

ādau pādatalaṁ rekhāstatoṁguṣṭhāṁgulī nakhāḥ pṛṣṭhagulphadvayaṁ pārṣṇī jaṁghe romāṇi jānunī

First the sole of the foot and its lines; then the great toe, the toes, the nails; the two ankles, the heel, the shins, the down upon them, and the knees.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.37.5)

ऊरू कटी नितंबस्फिग्भगो जघन बस्तिके॥ नाभिः कुक्षिद्वयं पार्श्वोदरमध्य वलित्रयम्

ūrū kaṭī nitaṁbasphigbhago jaghana bastike nābhiḥ kukṣidvayaṁ pārśvodaramadhya valitrayam

Then the thighs, the waist, the hips, the private parts, the loins, the region of the bladder; the navel, the two sides of the belly, the flanks, and the three folds at the middle of the abdomen.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.37.6)

रोमाली हृदयं वक्षो वक्षोजद्वयचूचुकम्॥ जत्रुस्कंधां सकक्षादोर्मणिबंध करद्वयम्

romālī hṛdayaṁ vakṣo vakṣojadvayacūcukam jatruskaṁdhāṁ sakakṣādormaṇibaṁdha karadvayam

Then the line of down leading upward, the heart, the chest, the two breasts and their tips; the collarbones, shoulders, the arms together with the armpits, the wrists, and the two hands.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.37.7)

पाणिपृष्ठं पाणितलं रेखांगुष्ठांगुली नखाः॥ पृष्ठिः कृकाटिका कंठे चिबुकं च हनुद्वयम्

pāṇipṛṣṭhaṁ pāṇitalaṁ rekhāṁguṣṭhāṁgulī nakhāḥ pṛṣṭhiḥ kṛkāṭikā kaṁṭhe cibukaṁ ca hanudvayam

Then the back of the hand, the palm and its lines, the thumb, fingers, and nails; the upper back, the nape of the neck, the throat, the chin, and the two jaws.

Verse 8 (skanda.4.37.8)

कपोलौ वक्त्रमधरोत्तरोष्ठौ द्विजजिह्विकाः॥ घंटिका तालुहसितं नासिकाक्षुतमक्षिणी

kapolau vaktramadharottaroṣṭhau dvijajihvikāḥ ghaṁṭikā tāluhasitaṁ nāsikākṣutamakṣiṇī

Then the two cheeks, the mouth, the lower and upper lips, the teeth and the tongue; the uvula, the palate, the smile, the nose, the sneeze, and the two eyes.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.37.9)

पक्ष्म भ्रूकर्णभालानि मौलि सीमंतमौलिजाः॥ षष्टिः षडुत्तरायोषिदंगलक्षणसत्खनिः

pakṣma bhrūkarṇabhālāni mauli sīmaṁtamaulijāḥ ṣaṣṭiḥ ṣaḍuttarāyoṣidaṁgalakṣaṇasatkhaniḥ

Then the eyelashes, brows, ears, and forehead; the crown of the head, the parting of the hair, and the hair itself -- these, sixty-six in all, form the true reservoir of a woman's bodily marks.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.37.10)

स्त्रीणां पादतलं स्निग्धं मांसलं मृदुलं समम्॥ अस्वेदमुष्णमरुणं बहुभोगोचितं स्मृतम्॥ रूक्षं विवर्णं परुषं खंडितप्रतिबिंबकम्॥ शूर्पाकारं विशुष्कं च दुःखदौर्भाग्यसूचकम्

strīṇāṁ pādatalaṁ snigdhaṁ māṁsalaṁ mṛdulaṁ samam asvedamuṣṇamaruṇaṁ bahubhogocitaṁ smṛtam rūkṣaṁ vivarṇaṁ paruṣaṁ khaṁḍitapratibiṁbakam śūrpākāraṁ viśuṣkaṁ ca duḥkhadaurbhāgyasūcakam

A woman's sole that is smooth, fleshy, soft, even, free from sweat, warm, and reddish is held to promise great prosperity. But one that is rough, discolored, hard, broken in its reflection, shaped like a winnowing-basket, and utterly dry, betokens sorrow and misfortune.

Verse 11 (skanda.4.37.11)

चक्र स्वस्तिक शंखाब्ज ध्वजमीनातपत्रवत्॥ यस्याः पादतले रेखा सा भवेत्क्षितिपांगना

cakra svastika śaṁkhābja dhvajamīnātapatravat yasyāḥ pādatale rekhā sā bhavetkṣitipāṁganā

She on whose sole appears a line shaped like a wheel, a swastika, a conch, a lotus, a banner, a fish, or a parasol becomes the consort of a king.

Verse 12 (skanda.4.37.12)

भवेदखंडभोगायोर्द्ध्वामध्यांगुलिसंगता॥ रेखाखु सर्पकाकाभा दुःखदारिद्र्यसूचिका

bhavedakhaṁḍabhogāyorddhvāmadhyāṁgulisaṁgatā rekhākhu sarpakākābhā duḥkhadāridryasūcikā

A line that runs unbroken upward to join the middle toe promises unbroken prosperity; but a line shaped like a rat, a serpent, or a crow foretells sorrow and poverty.

Verse 13 (skanda.4.37.13)

उन्नतो मांसलोंगुष्ठो वर्तुलोतुलभोगदः॥ वक्रो ह्रस्वश्च चिपिटः सुखसौभाग्यभंजकः

unnato māṁsaloṁguṣṭho vartulotulabhogadaḥ vakro hrasvaśca cipiṭaḥ sukhasaubhāgyabhaṁjakaḥ

A great toe that is raised, fleshy, and rounded confers boundless prosperity; but one that is crooked, short, and flattened destroys happiness and good fortune.

Verse 14 (skanda.4.37.14)

विधवा विपुलेन स्याद्दीर्घांगुष्ठेन दुर्भगा॥ मृदवोंगुलयः शस्ता घनावृत्ताः समुन्नताः

vidhavā vipulena syāddīrghāṁguṣṭhena durbhagā mṛdavoṁgulayaḥ śastā ghanāvṛttāḥ samunnatāḥ

A woman with an overly large great toe becomes a widow, and one with an overly long great toe is ill-fated. Toes that are soft, close-set, rounded, and evenly raised are praised as auspicious.

Verse 15 (skanda.4.37.15)

दीर्घांगुलीभिः कुलटा कृशाभिरतिनिर्धना॥ ह्रस्वायुष्या च ह्रस्वाभिर्भुग्नाभिर्भुग्नवर्तिनी

dīrghāṁgulībhiḥ kulaṭā kṛśābhiratinirdhanā hrasvāyuṣyā ca hrasvābhirbhugnābhirbhugnavartinī

One with long toes becomes unchaste; one with thin toes, utterly poor; one with short toes, short-lived; and one with crooked toes follows a crooked path.

Verse 16 (skanda.4.37.16)

चिपिटाभिर्भवेद्दासी विरलाभिर्दरिद्रिणी॥ परस्परं समारूढाः पादांगुल्यो भवंति हि

cipiṭābhirbhaveddāsī viralābhirdaridriṇī parasparaṁ samārūḍhāḥ pādāṁgulyo bhavaṁti hi

One with flattened toes becomes a servant; one with widely gapped toes, destitute; and there are those whose toes overlap one upon another...

Verse 17 (skanda.4.37.17)

हत्वा बहूनपि पतीन्परप्रेष्या तदा भवेत्॥ यस्याः पथि समायांत्या रजोभूमेः समुच्छलेत्

hatvā bahūnapi patīnparapreṣyā tadā bhavet yasyāḥ pathi samāyāṁtyā rajobhūmeḥ samucchalet

...destroys husband after husband and at last becomes another's servant. She on whose path the dust of the ground rises up as she walks...

Verse 18 (skanda.4.37.18)

सा पांसुला प्रजायेत कुलत्रयविनाशिनी॥ यस्याः कनिष्ठिका भूमिं न गच्छंत्याः परिस्पृशेत्

sā pāṁsulā prajāyeta kulatrayavināśinī yasyāḥ kaniṣṭhikā bhūmiṁ na gacchaṁtyāḥ parispṛśet

...she becomes a woman of loose conduct, the ruin of three households. And she whose little toe, while walking, never touches the ground...

Verse 19 (skanda.4.37.19)

सा निहत्य पतिं योषा द्वितीयं कुरुते पतिम्॥ अनामिका च मध्या च यस्या भूमिं न संस्पृशेत्॥ पतिद्वयं निहंत्याद्या द्वितीया च पतित्रयम्॥ पतिहीनत्वकारिण्यौ हीने ते द्वे इमे यदि

sā nihatya patiṁ yoṣā dvitīyaṁ kurute patim anāmikā ca madhyā ca yasyā bhūmiṁ na saṁspṛśet patidvayaṁ nihaṁtyādyā dvitīyā ca patitrayam patihīnatvakāriṇyau hīne te dve ime yadi

...such a woman loses one husband and takes a second. She whose ring-finger-toe or middle toe fails to touch the ground -- the first brings the loss of two husbands, the second of three; when defective, these two toes bring about widowhood.

Verse 20 (skanda.4.37.20)

प्रदेशिनी भवेद्यस्या अंगुष्ठाव्यतिरेकिणी॥ कन्यैव कुलटा सा स्यादेष एव विनिश्चयः

pradeśinī bhavedyasyā aṁguṣṭhāvyatirekiṇī kanyaiva kulaṭā sā syādeṣa eva viniścayaḥ

The woman whose second toe exceeds even her great toe in length is unchaste from her very girlhood -- this is the settled rule.

Verse 21 (skanda.4.37.21)

स्निग्धाः समुन्नतास्ताम्रा वृत्ताः पादनखाः शुभाः

snigdhāḥ samunnatāstāmrā vṛttāḥ pādanakhāḥ śubhāḥ

Toenails that are smooth, gently raised, coppery in hue, and rounded are held to be auspicious.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.37.22)

राज्ञीत्वसूचकं स्त्रीणां पादपृष्ठं समुन्नतम्॥ अस्वेदमशिराढ्यं च मसृणं मृदुमांसलम्

rājñītvasūcakaṁ strīṇāṁ pādapṛṣṭhaṁ samunnatam asvedamaśirāḍhyaṁ ca masṛṇaṁ mṛdumāṁsalam

A woman's instep that is evenly raised, free of sweat, free of visible veins, smooth, and softly fleshed is the sign that she will become a queen.

Verse 23 (skanda.4.37.23)

दरिद्रा मध्यनम्रेण शिरालेन सदाध्वगा॥ रोमाढ्येन भवेद्दासी निर्मांसेन च दुर्भगा

daridrā madhyanamreṇa śirālena sadādhvagā romāḍhyena bhaveddāsī nirmāṁsena ca durbhagā

A foot's back that dips in the middle betokens poverty; one laced with visible veins, a life of constant wandering; one thickly haired, servitude; and one lacking flesh, misfortune.

Verse 24 (skanda.4.37.24)

गूढौ गुल्फौ शिवायोक्तावशिरालौ सुवर्तुलौ॥ स्थपुटौ शिथिलौ दृश्यौ स्यातां दौर्भाग्यसूचकौ

gūḍhau gulphau śivāyoktāvaśirālau suvartulau sthapuṭau śithilau dṛśyau syātāṁ daurbhāgyasūcakau

Shiva has declared that ankles which are unobtrusive, free of visible veins, and well-rounded are auspicious; but ankles that are prominent, loose, and plainly visible betoken misfortune.

Verse 25 (skanda.4.37.25)

समपार्ष्णिः शुभा नारी पृथुपार्ष्णिश्च दुर्भगा॥ कुलटोन्नतपार्ष्णि स्याद्दीर्घपार्ष्णिश्च दुःखभाक्

samapārṣṇiḥ śubhā nārī pṛthupārṣṇiśca durbhagā kulaṭonnatapārṣṇi syāddīrghapārṣṇiśca duḥkhabhāk

A woman with an evenly shaped heel is auspicious; one with a broad heel is ill-fated; one with a protruding heel becomes unchaste; and one with a long heel is destined for sorrow.

Verse 26 (skanda.4.37.26)

रोमहीने समे स्निग्धे यज्जंघे क्रमवर्तुले॥ सा राजपत्नी भवति विशिरेसुमनोहरे

romahīne same snigdhe yajjaṁghe kramavartule sā rājapatnī bhavati viśiresumanohare

She whose shins are free of hair, evenly formed, smooth, gradually rounded, free of visible veins, and altogether lovely becomes the wife of a king.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.37.27)

एकरोमा राजपत्नी द्विरोमा च सुखावहा॥ त्रिरोमा रोमकूपेषु भवेद्वैधव्यदुःखभाक्

ekaromā rājapatnī dviromā ca sukhāvahā triromā romakūpeṣu bhavedvaidhavyaduḥkhabhāk

She whose hair-pores each hold a single strand becomes a king's wife; two strands per pore bring happiness; but three strands to a pore mark her for the sorrow of widowhood.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.37.28)

वृत्तं पिशितसंलग्नं जानुयुग्मं प्रशस्यते॥ निर्मांसं स्वैरचारिण्या दरिद्रा याश्च विश्लथम्॥ विशिरैः करभाकारैरूरुभिर्मसृणैर्घनैः॥ सुवृत्तैरोमरहितैर्भवेयुर्भूपवल्लभाः

vṛttaṁ piśitasaṁlagnaṁ jānuyugmaṁ praśasyate nirmāṁsaṁ svairacāriṇyā daridrā yāśca viślatham viśiraiḥ karabhākārairūrubhirmasṛṇairghanaiḥ suvṛttairomarahitairbhaveyurbhūpavallabhāḥ

Rounded, well-fleshed knees are praiseworthy; a woman with fleshless knees follows her own wayward will, and one with loose, slack knees is destitute. Those whose thighs are free of visible veins, shaped like an elephant's trunk, smooth, firm, well-rounded, and hairless become the beloved of kings.

Verse 29 (skanda.4.37.29)

वैधव्यं रोमशैरुक्तं दौर्भाग्यं चिपिटैरपि॥ मध्यच्छिद्रैर्महादुःखं दारिद्र्यं कठिनत्वचैः

vaidhavyaṁ romaśairuktaṁ daurbhāgyaṁ cipiṭairapi madhyacchidrairmahāduḥkhaṁ dāridryaṁ kaṭhinatvacaiḥ

Overly hairy thighs foretell widowhood, flattened thighs misfortune, thighs leaving a gap between them at the middle foretell great sorrow, and thighs with hard, coarse skin foretell poverty.

Verse 30 (skanda.4.37.30)

चतुर्भिरंगुलैः शस्ता कटिर्विंशतिसंयुतैः॥ समुन्नतनितंबाढ्या चतुरस्रा मृगीदृशाम्

caturbhiraṁgulaiḥ śastā kaṭirviṁśatisaṁyutaiḥ samunnatanitaṁbāḍhyā caturasrā mṛgīdṛśām

For doe-eyed women, a waist measuring twenty-four fingers in breadth, joined to evenly raised hips, and foursquare in shape, is praised as the best.

Verse 31 (skanda.4.37.31)

विनता चिपिटा दीर्घा निर्मांसासंकटाकटिः॥ ह्रस्वा रोमयुता नार्या दुःखवैधव्यसूचिका

vinatā cipiṭā dīrghā nirmāṁsāsaṁkaṭākaṭiḥ hrasvā romayutā nāryā duḥkhavaidhavyasūcikā

A waist that is stooped, flattened, overlong, fleshless, cramped, too short, or overgrown with hair -- each of these foretells sorrow and widowhood for a woman.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.37.32)

नितंबबिंबो नारीणामुन्नतो मांसलः पृथुः॥ महाभोगाय संप्रोक्तस्तदन्योऽशर्मणे मतः

nitaṁbabiṁbo nārīṇāmunnato māṁsalaḥ pṛthuḥ mahābhogāya saṁproktastadanyo'śarmaṇe mataḥ

Hips that are raised, fleshy, and broad are declared to promise great prosperity; hips of any other shape are held to forebode ill.

Verse 33 (skanda.4.37.33)

कपित्थफलवद्वृत्तौ मृदुलौ मांसलौ घनौ॥ स्फिचौ वलिविनिर्मुक्तौ रतिसौख्यविवर्धनौ

kapitthaphalavadvṛttau mṛdulau māṁsalau ghanau sphicau valivinirmuktau ratisaukhyavivardhanau

Buttocks that are rounded like a wood-apple, soft, fleshy, firm, and free of wrinkles are said to enhance the joys of conjugal life.

Verse 34 (skanda.4.37.34)

शुभः कमठपृष्ठाभो गजस्कंधोपमो भगः॥ वामोन्नतस्तु कन्याजः पुत्रजो दक्षिणोन्नतः

śubhaḥ kamaṭhapṛṣṭhābho gajaskaṁdhopamo bhagaḥ vāmonnatastu kanyājaḥ putrajo dakṣiṇonnataḥ

A female organ shaped and raised like a tortoise's back, or like an elephant's shoulder, is held auspicious. If its left side is the more raised, it gives rise to daughters; if the right side, to sons.

Verse 35 (skanda.4.37.35)

आखुरोमा गूढमणिः सुश्लिष्टः संहतः पृथुः॥ तुंगः कमलपर्णाभः शुभोश्वत्थदलाकृतिः

ākhuromā gūḍhamaṇiḥ suśliṣṭaḥ saṁhataḥ pṛthuḥ tuṁgaḥ kamalaparṇābhaḥ śubhośvatthadalākṛtiḥ

The female organ that has fine, soft hair, a concealed jewel, is well-closed, firm, broad, raised, lustrous as a lotus-leaf, and shaped like a peepal leaf, is held to be auspicious.

Verse 36 (skanda.4.37.36)

कुरंगखुररूपोयश्चुल्लिकोदरसन्निभः॥ रोमशो विवृतास्यश्च दृश्यनासोतिदुर्भगः

kuraṁgakhurarūpoyaścullikodarasannibhaḥ romaśo vivṛtāsyaśca dṛśyanāsotidurbhagaḥ

One shaped like a deer's hoof, resembling the hollow of a hearth, thickly haired, with its opening always agape, and its front plainly visible, is held to be extremely inauspicious.

Verse 37 (skanda.4.37.37)

शंखावर्तो भगो यस्याः सा गर्भमिह नेच्छति॥ चिपिटः खर्पराकारः किंकरी पददो भगः॥ वंशवेतसपत्राभो गजरोमोच्चनासिकः॥ विकटः कुटिलाकारो लंबगल्लस्तथाऽशुभः

śaṁkhāvarto bhago yasyāḥ sā garbhamiha necchati cipiṭaḥ kharparākāraḥ kiṁkarī padado bhagaḥ vaṁśavetasapatrābho gajaromoccanāsikaḥ vikaṭaḥ kuṭilākāro laṁbagallastathā'śubhaḥ

One whose form spirals like a conch-shell leaves its owner unable to conceive. One that is flattened and shaped like a potsherd condemns her to servitude. One resembling a bamboo or cane leaf, coarse-haired as an elephant's hide, with a high protrusion, misshapen, crooked in form, and hanging in a loose fold -- this too is inauspicious.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.37.38)

भगस्य भालं जघनं विस्तीर्णं तुंगमांसलम्॥ मृदुलं मृदुलोमाढ्यं दक्षिणावर्तमीडितम्

bhagasya bhālaṁ jaghanaṁ vistīrṇaṁ tuṁgamāṁsalam mṛdulaṁ mṛdulomāḍhyaṁ dakṣiṇāvartamīḍitam

The mount above the organ, the pubic region, is praised when it is broad, raised, well-fleshed, soft, covered with fine down, and whorled toward the right.

Verse 39 (skanda.4.37.39)

वामावर्तं च निर्मांसं भुग्नवैधव्यसूचकम्॥ संकटस्थपुटं रूक्षं जघनं दुःखदं सदा

vāmāvartaṁ ca nirmāṁsaṁ bhugnavaidhavyasūcakam saṁkaṭasthapuṭaṁ rūkṣaṁ jaghanaṁ duḥkhadaṁ sadā

But one whorled toward the left, fleshless, and bent foretells widowhood; a pubic region that is cramped and dry is ever a source of sorrow.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.37.40)

बस्तिः प्रशस्ता विपुला मृद्वीस्तोकसमुन्नता॥ रोमशा च शिराला च रेखांका नैव शोभना

bastiḥ praśastā vipulā mṛdvīstokasamunnatā romaśā ca śirālā ca rekhāṁkā naiva śobhanā

The lower abdomen is praised when broad, soft, and gently raised; but when it is thickly haired, laced with visible veins, or marked with furrows, it is not accounted beautiful.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.37.41)

गंभीरा दक्षिणावर्ता नाभी स्यात्सुखसंपदे॥ वामावर्ता समुत्ताना व्यक्तग्रंथिर्न शोभना

gaṁbhīrā dakṣiṇāvartā nābhī syātsukhasaṁpade vāmāvartā samuttānā vyaktagraṁthirna śobhanā

A navel that is deep and whorled to the right foretells happiness and wealth; but one whorled to the left, protruding, or bearing a visible knot is not accounted fair.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.37.42)

सूते सुतान्बहून्नारी पृथुकुक्षिः सुखास्पदम्॥ क्षितीशं जनयेत्पुत्रं मंडूकाभेन कुक्षिणा

sūte sutānbahūnnārī pṛthukukṣiḥ sukhāspadam kṣitīśaṁ janayetputraṁ maṁḍūkābhena kukṣiṇā

A woman with broad flanks, a very abode of happiness, bears many sons; and one whose belly is shaped like a frog gives birth to a son who becomes a king.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.37.43)

उन्नतेन वलीभाजा सावर्तेनापि कुक्षिणा॥ वंध्या प्रव्रजिता दासी क्रमाद्योषा भवेदिह

unnatena valībhājā sāvartenāpi kukṣiṇā vaṁdhyā pravrajitā dāsī kramādyoṣā bhavediha

If a woman's flanks are overly raised, deeply creased, or marked with a whorl, she becomes, in that order, barren, a renunciate, or a servant.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.37.44)

समैः समांसैर्मृदुभिर्योषिन्मग्नास्थिभिः शुभैः॥ पार्श्वेः सौभाग्यसुखयोर्निधानं स्यादसंशयम्

samaiḥ samāṁsairmṛdubhiryoṣinmagnāsthibhiḥ śubhaiḥ pārśveḥ saubhāgyasukhayornidhānaṁ syādasaṁśayam

The woman whose two flanks are even, evenly fleshed, soft, with bones concealed, and altogether well-formed is, without doubt, a treasury of good fortune and happiness.

Verse 45 (skanda.4.37.45)

यस्यादृश्य शिरे पार्श्वे उन्नते रोमसंयुते॥ निरपत्या च दुःशीला सा भवेद्दुःखशेवधिः

yasyādṛśya śire pārśve unnate romasaṁyute nirapatyā ca duḥśīlā sā bhavedduḥkhaśevadhiḥ

She whose flanks show hidden, invisible veins yet are raised and thickly haired will be childless and of poor character, a very storehouse of sorrow.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.37.46)

उदरेणातितुच्छेन विशिरेण मृदुत्वचा॥ योषिद्भवति भोगाढ्या नित्यं मिष्टान्नसेविनी॥ कुंभाकारं दरिद्राया जठरं च मृदंगवत्॥ कूष्मांडाभं यवाभं च दुष्पूरं जायते स्त्रियाः

udareṇātitucchena viśireṇa mṛdutvacā yoṣidbhavati bhogāḍhyā nityaṁ miṣṭānnasevinī kuṁbhākāraṁ daridrāyā jaṭharaṁ ca mṛdaṁgavat kūṣmāṁḍābhaṁ yavābhaṁ ca duṣpūraṁ jāyate striyāḥ

A woman with a belly that is very slight, free of visible veins, and soft-skinned becomes rich in enjoyment and ever partakes of sweet food. A belly shaped like a water-pot brings poverty; one shaped like a mridanga drum is likewise ill-omened; and one shaped like a pumpkin or a grain of barley leaves a woman forever unsatisfied.

Verse 47 (skanda.4.37.47)

सुविशालोदरी नारी निरपत्या च दुर्भगा॥ प्रलंबजठरा हंति श्वशुरं चापि देवरम्

suviśālodarī nārī nirapatyā ca durbhagā pralaṁbajaṭharā haṁti śvaśuraṁ cāpi devaram

A woman with an excessively large belly is childless and ill-fated; and one with a hanging, pendulous belly brings death to both her father-in-law and her husband's younger brother.

Verse 48 (skanda.4.37.48)

मध्यक्षामा च सुभगा भोगाढ्या सवलित्रया॥ ऋज्वी तन्वी च रोमाली यस्याः सा शर्मनर्मभूः

madhyakṣāmā ca subhagā bhogāḍhyā savalitrayā ṛjvī tanvī ca romālī yasyāḥ sā śarmanarmabhūḥ

She who is slender at the waist, fortunate, rich in prosperity, marked with the three folds of the belly, and whose line of down is straight and fine -- she is a very ground of joy and delight.

Verse 49 (skanda.4.37.49)

कपिला कुटिला स्थूला विच्छिन्ना रोमराजिका॥ चौर वैधव्य दौर्भाग्यं विदध्यादिह योषिताम्

kapilā kuṭilā sthūlā vicchinnā romarājikā caura vaidhavya daurbhāgyaṁ vidadhyādiha yoṣitām

But a line of down that is tawny, crooked, thick, or broken brings upon women, in various measure, entanglement with thieves, widowhood, and misfortune.

Verse 50 (skanda.4.37.50)

निर्लोमहृदयं यस्याः समं निम्नत्व वर्जितम्॥ ऐश्वर्यं चाप्यवैधव्यं प्रियप्रेम च सा लभेत्

nirlomahṛdayaṁ yasyāḥ samaṁ nimnatva varjitam aiśvaryaṁ cāpyavaidhavyaṁ priyaprema ca sā labhet

She whose chest is free of hair, even, and without any hollow obtains prosperity, freedom from widowhood, and the love of her beloved.

Verse 51 (skanda.4.37.51)

विस्तीर्णहृदया योषा पुंश्चली निर्दया तथा॥ उद्भिन्नरोमहृदया पतिं हंति विनिश्चितम्

vistīrṇahṛdayā yoṣā puṁścalī nirdayā tathā udbhinnaromahṛdayā patiṁ haṁti viniścitam

A woman with an overly broad chest becomes unchaste and merciless; and one whose chest bristles with hair certainly brings about her husband's death.

Verse 52 (skanda.4.37.52)

अष्टादशांगुलततमुरः पीवरमुन्नतम्॥ सुखाय दुःखाय भवेद्रोमशं विषमं पृथु

aṣṭādaśāṁgulatatamuraḥ pīvaramunnatam sukhāya duḥkhāya bhavedromaśaṁ viṣamaṁ pṛthu

A chest that spans eighteen fingers, full and raised, brings happiness; but one that is hairy, uneven, or overly broad brings sorrow.

Verse 53 (skanda.4.37.53)

घनौ वृत्तौ दृढौ पीनौ समौ शस्तौ पयोधरौ॥ स्थूलाग्रौ विरलौ शुष्कौ वामोरूणां न शर्मदौ

ghanau vṛttau dṛḍhau pīnau samau śastau payodharau sthūlāgrau viralau śuṣkau vāmorūṇāṁ na śarmadau

Breasts that are firm, rounded, taut, full, and evenly matched are praised; but those with thick tips, those set apart, or those that are dry bring no happiness to lovely women.

Verse 54 (skanda.4.37.54)

दक्षिणोन्नत वक्षोजा पुत्रिणी त्वग्रणीर्मता॥ वामोन्नतकुचा सूते कन्यां सौभाग्यसुंदरीम्

dakṣiṇonnata vakṣojā putriṇī tvagraṇīrmatā vāmonnatakucā sūte kanyāṁ saubhāgyasuṁdarīm

She whose right breast is the more raised is held foremost in the bearing of sons; and she whose left breast is the more raised bears a daughter blessed with beauty and good fortune.

Verse 55 (skanda.4.37.55)

अरघट्टघटीतुल्यौ कुचौ दौःशील्यसूचकौ॥ पीवरास्यौ सांतरालौ पृथूपांतौ न शोभनौ॥ मूले स्थूलौ क्रमकृशावग्रे तीक्ष्णौ पयोधरौ॥ सुखदौ पूर्वकाले तु पश्चादत्यंत दुःखदौ

araghaṭṭaghaṭītulyau kucau dauḥśīlyasūcakau pīvarāsyau sāṁtarālau pṛthūpāṁtau na śobhanau mūle sthūlau kramakṛśāvagre tīkṣṇau payodharau sukhadau pūrvakāle tu paścādatyaṁta duḥkhadau

Breasts shaped like the buckets of a water-wheel betoken bad character. Those that are full-fronted yet set widely apart, with broad rims, are likewise unbeautiful. Breasts that are thick at the base, tapering gradually, and sharp at the tip bring happiness for a time, but afterward bring extreme sorrow.

Verse 56 (skanda.4.37.56)

सुदृढं चूचुकयुगं शस्तं श्यामं सुवर्तुलम्॥ अंतर्मग्नं च दीर्घं च कृशं क्लेशाय जायते

sudṛḍhaṁ cūcukayugaṁ śastaṁ śyāmaṁ suvartulam aṁtarmagnaṁ ca dīrghaṁ ca kṛśaṁ kleśāya jāyate

A pair of nipples that is firm, dark-hued, and well-rounded is praised; but one that is sunken inward, elongated, or thin brings distress.

Verse 57 (skanda.4.37.57)

पीवराभ्यां च जत्रुभ्यां धनधान्यनिधिर्वधूः॥ श्लथास्थिभ्यां च निम्नाभ्यां विषमाभ्यां दरिद्रिणी

pīvarābhyāṁ ca jatrubhyāṁ dhanadhānyanidhirvadhūḥ ślathāsthibhyāṁ ca nimnābhyāṁ viṣamābhyāṁ daridriṇī

With full, well-formed collarbones, a bride becomes a treasury of wealth and grain; but with collarbones that are slack-boned, sunken, or uneven, she is destitute.

Verse 58 (skanda.4.37.58)

अबद्धावनतौ स्कंधावदीर्घावकृशौ शुभौ॥ वक्रौ स्थूलौ च रोमाढ्यौ प्रेष्य वैधव्यसूचकौ

abaddhāvanatau skaṁdhāvadīrghāvakṛśau śubhau vakrau sthūlau ca romāḍhyau preṣya vaidhavyasūcakau

Shoulders that are unconstrained, gently sloping, neither too long nor too thin, are auspicious; but shoulders that are crooked, overly thick, and thickly haired foretell, in turn, a life of servitude and widowhood.

Verse 59 (skanda.4.37.59)

निगूढसंधी स्रस्ताग्रौ शुभावंसौ सुसंहतौ॥ वैधव्यदौ समुच्चाग्रौ निर्मांसावतिदुःखदौ

nigūḍhasaṁdhī srastāgrau śubhāvaṁsau susaṁhatau vaidhavyadau samuccāgrau nirmāṁsāvatiduḥkhadau

Shoulders whose joints are concealed, with gently drooping ends, well-formed and firmly knit, are auspicious; but those whose ends are raised high bring widowhood, and those without flesh bring extreme sorrow.

Verse 60 (skanda.4.37.60)

कक्षेसु सूक्ष्मरोमे तु तुंगे स्निग्धे च मांसले॥ शस्तेन शस्ते गंभीरे शिराले स्वेदमेदुरे

kakṣesu sūkṣmarome tu tuṁge snigdhe ca māṁsale śastena śaste gaṁbhīre śirāle svedamedure

Armpits that are lightly haired, gently raised, smooth, and softly fleshed are praised; but those that are deep, laced with visible veins, and prone to heavy sweating are held to be flawed.

Verse 61 (skanda.4.37.61)

स्यातां दोषौ सुनिर्दोषौ गूढास्थि ग्रंथिकोमलौ॥ विशिरौ च विरोमाणौ सरलौ हरिणीदृशाम्

syātāṁ doṣau sunirdoṣau gūḍhāsthi graṁthikomalau viśirau ca viromāṇau saralau hariṇīdṛśām

These faults just named cease to be faults when the armpits conceal their bone, are soft at the joint, free of visible veins, free of excess hair, and straight -- this, for a doe-eyed woman, is accounted best.

Verse 62 (skanda.4.37.62)

वैधव्यं स्थूलरोमाणौ ह्रस्वौ दौर्भाग्यसूचकौ॥ परिक्लेशाय नारीणां परिदृश्यशिरौ भुजौ

vaidhavyaṁ sthūlaromāṇau hrasvau daurbhāgyasūcakau parikleśāya nārīṇāṁ paridṛśyaśirau bhujau

Arms that are thickly haired foretell widowhood; short arms betoken misfortune; and arms whose veins stand out plainly to view bring distress upon women.

Verse 63 (skanda.4.37.63)

अंभोज मुकुलाकारमंगुष्ठांगुलिसंमुखम्॥ हस्तद्वयं मृगाक्षीणां बहुभोगाय जायते

aṁbhoja mukulākāramaṁguṣṭhāṁgulisaṁmukham hastadvayaṁ mṛgākṣīṇāṁ bahubhogāya jāyate

For a doe-eyed woman, a pair of hands shaped like an unopened lotus bud, with the thumb turned to face the fingers, brings great abundance and prosperity.

Verse 64 (skanda.4.37.64)

मृदुमध्योन्नतं रक्तं तलं पाण्योररंध्रकम्॥ प्रशस्तं शस्तरेखाढ्यमल्परेखं शुभश्रियम्॥ विधवा बहुरेखेण विरेखेण दरिद्रिणी॥ भिक्षुकी सुशिराढ्येन नारी करतलेन वै

mṛdumadhyonnataṁ raktaṁ talaṁ pāṇyoraraṁdhrakam praśastaṁ śastarekhāḍhyamalparekhaṁ śubhaśriyam vidhavā bahurekheṇa virekheṇa daridriṇī bhikṣukī suśirāḍhyena nārī karatalena vai

A palm that is soft, raised at the center, red, and free of gaps is praised; and one marked with fine, auspicious lines, though few in number, is a bringer of good fortune. A woman whose palm is crowded with too many lines becomes a widow; one whose palm bears no lines at all becomes destitute; and one whose palm is laced with visible veins becomes a beggar.

Verse 65 (skanda.4.37.65)

विरोम विशिरं शस्तं पाणिपृष्ठंसमुन्नतम्॥ वैधव्यहेतुरोमाढ्यं निर्मांसं स्नायुमत्त्यजेत्

viroma viśiraṁ śastaṁ pāṇipṛṣṭhaṁsamunnatam vaidhavyaheturomāḍhyaṁ nirmāṁsaṁ snāyumattyajet

The back of the hand is praised when free of hair, free of visible veins, and evenly raised; one thickly haired becomes a cause of widowhood, and one that is fleshless and corded with sinews should be shunned.

Verse 66 (skanda.4.37.66)

रक्ता व्यक्ता गभीरा च स्निग्धा पूर्णा च वर्तुला॥ कररेखांगना याः स्याच्छुभा भाग्यानुसारतः

raktā vyaktā gabhīrā ca snigdhā pūrṇā ca vartulā kararekhāṁganā yāḥ syācchubhā bhāgyānusārataḥ

Palm-lines that are reddish, clear, deep, smooth, unbroken, and rounded bring good fortune to a woman, each according to its own destiny.

Verse 67 (skanda.4.37.67)

मत्स्येन सुभगा नारी स्वस्तिकेन वसुप्रदा॥ पद्मेन भूपतेः पत्नी जनयेद्भूपतिं सुतम्

matsyena subhagā nārī svastikena vasupradā padmena bhūpateḥ patnī janayedbhūpatiṁ sutam

A mark shaped like a fish on the hand brings good fortune; one shaped like a swastika brings wealth; and one shaped like a lotus makes a woman a king's consort, destined to bear a son who himself becomes king.

Verse 68 (skanda.4.37.68)

चक्रवर्तिस्त्रियाः पाणौ नंद्यावर्तः प्रदक्षिणः॥ शंखातपत्रक मठा नृपमातृत्वसूचकाः

cakravartistriyāḥ pāṇau naṁdyāvartaḥ pradakṣiṇaḥ śaṁkhātapatraka maṭhā nṛpamātṛtvasūcakāḥ

A Nandyavarta mark turning rightward marks the hand of an emperor's consort; and marks shaped like a conch, a parasol, or a shrine-tower foretell that she will become the mother of a king.

Verse 69 (skanda.4.37.69)

तुलामानाकृतीरेखे वणिक्पत्नीत्वहेतुके॥ गजवाजिवृषाकाराः करे वामे मृगीदृशाम्

tulāmānākṛtīrekhe vaṇikpatnītvahetuke gajavājivṛṣākārāḥ kare vāme mṛgīdṛśām

Lines shaped like a balance-scale or a measuring-vessel foretell that a woman will become a merchant's wife; and on a doe-eyed woman's left hand, marks shaped like an elephant, a horse, or a bull are held auspicious.

Verse 70 (skanda.4.37.70)

रेखा प्रासादवज्राभा ब्रूयुस्तीर्थकरं सुतम्॥ कृषीवलस्य पत्नी स्याच्छकटेन युगेन वा

rekhā prāsādavajrābhā brūyustīrthakaraṁ sutam kṛṣīvalasya patnī syācchakaṭena yugena vā

A line shaped like a palace or a thunderbolt declares that her son will become a great teacher and guide to others; and a mark shaped like a cart or a plough-yoke shows that she will become a farmer's wife.

Verse 71 (skanda.4.37.71)

चामरांकुशकोदंडै राजपत्नी भवेद्ध्रुवम्॥ अंगुष्ठमूलान्निर्गत्य रेखा याति कनिष्ठिकाम्

cāmarāṁkuśakodaṁḍai rājapatnī bhaveddhruvam aṁguṣṭhamūlānnirgatya rekhā yāti kaniṣṭhikām

With marks shaped like a fly-whisk, a goad, or a bow, a woman certainly becomes a king's consort; and an auspicious line is one that issues from the base of the thumb and runs all the way to the little finger.

Verse 72 (skanda.4.37.72)

यदि सा पतिहंत्री स्याद्दूरतस्तां त्यजेत्सुधीः॥ त्रिशूलासिगदाशक्ति दुंदुभ्याकृति रेखया॥ नितंबिनी कीर्तिमती त्यागेन पृथिवीतले

yadi sā patihaṁtrī syāddūratastāṁ tyajetsudhīḥ triśūlāsigadāśakti duṁdubhyākṛti rekhayā nitaṁbinī kīrtimatī tyāgena pṛthivītale

But if that same line proves fatal to a husband, the wise man should shun that woman from afar. She whose hand bears a line shaped like a trident, sword, mace, spear, or war-drum becomes renowned on earth through her great generosity.

Verse 73 (skanda.4.37.73)

कंक जंबूक मंडूक वृक वृश्चिक भोगिनः॥ रासभोष्ट्र बिडालाः स्युः करस्था दुःखदाः स्त्रियाः॥ शुभदः सरलोंगुष्ठो वृत्तो वृत्तनखो मृदुः

kaṁka jaṁbūka maṁḍūka vṛka vṛścika bhoginaḥ rāsabhoṣṭra biḍālāḥ syuḥ karasthā duḥkhadāḥ striyāḥ śubhadaḥ saraloṁguṣṭho vṛtto vṛttanakho mṛduḥ

Marks shaped like a heron, jackal, frog, wolf, scorpion, serpent, donkey, camel, or cat on a woman's hand bring sorrow. A thumb that is straight, rounded, bears a rounded nail, and is soft is a bringer of good fortune.

Verse 74 (skanda.4.37.74)

अंगुल्यश्च सुपर्वाणो दीर्घावृत्ताः क्रमात्कृशाः॥ चिपिटाःस्थपुटा रूक्षाः पृष्ठरोमयुजोऽशुभाः

aṁgulyaśca suparvāṇo dīrghāvṛttāḥ kramātkṛśāḥ cipiṭāḥsthapuṭā rūkṣāḥ pṛṣṭharomayujo'śubhāḥ

Fingers whose joints are well-formed, and which are long, rounded, and gradually taper thinner, are auspicious; but those that are flattened, knobby, dry, or hairy on the back are inauspicious.

Verse 75 (skanda.4.37.75)

अतिह्रस्वाः कृशा वक्रा विरला रोगहेतुकाः॥ दुःखायांगुलयः स्त्रीणां बहुपर्वसमन्विताः

atihrasvāḥ kṛśā vakrā viralā rogahetukāḥ duḥkhāyāṁgulayaḥ strīṇāṁ bahuparvasamanvitāḥ

Fingers that are excessively short, thin, crooked, or widely spaced are a cause of illness; and fingers with an excess of joints bring sorrow to women.

Verse 76 (skanda.4.37.76)

अरुणाः सशिखास्तुंगाः करजाः सुदृशांशुभाः॥ निम्ना विवर्णाः शुक्त्याभाः पीता दारिद्र्यदायकाः

aruṇāḥ saśikhāstuṁgāḥ karajāḥ sudṛśāṁśubhāḥ nimnā vivarṇāḥ śuktyābhāḥ pītā dāridryadāyakāḥ

For a lovely-eyed woman, nails that are reddish, pointed, and raised are auspicious; but those that are sunken, discolored, shell-hued, or yellow bring poverty.

Verse 77 (skanda.4.37.77)

नखेषु बिंदवः श्वेताः प्रायः स्युः स्वैरिणी स्त्रियाः॥ पुरुषा अपि जायंते दुःखिनः पुष्पितैर्नखैः

nakheṣu biṁdavaḥ śvetāḥ prāyaḥ syuḥ svairiṇī striyāḥ puruṣā api jāyaṁte duḥkhinaḥ puṣpitairnakhaiḥ

Women whose nails bear white spots are generally headstrong and self-willed; and even men become sorrowful whose nails carry such "flowering" spots.

Verse 78 (skanda.4.37.78)

अंतर्निमग्नवंशास्थिः पृष्ठिः स्यान्मांसला शुभा॥ पृष्ठेन रोमयुक्तेन वैधव्यं लभते ध्रुवम्

aṁtarnimagnavaṁśāsthiḥ pṛṣṭhiḥ syānmāṁsalā śubhā pṛṣṭhena romayuktena vaidhavyaṁ labhate dhruvam

An upper back whose spine sinks inward, and which is well-fleshed, is auspicious; but a back overgrown with hair certainly brings its owner to widowhood.

Verse 79 (skanda.4.37.79)

भुग्नेन विनतेनापि सशिरेणापि दुःखिता॥ ऋज्वी कृकाटिका श्रेष्ठा समांसा च समुन्नता

bhugnena vinatenāpi saśireṇāpi duḥkhitā ṛjvī kṛkāṭikā śreṣṭhā samāṁsā ca samunnatā

A woman becomes sorrowful whose back is bent, stooped, or shows visible veins; a nape of the neck that is straight, evenly fleshed, and evenly raised is held to be the best.

Verse 80 (skanda.4.37.80)

शुष्का शिराला रोमाढ्या विशाला कुटिलाशुभा॥ मांसलो वर्तुलः कंठः प्रशस्तश्चतुरंगुलः

śuṣkā śirālā romāḍhyā viśālā kuṭilāśubhā māṁsalo vartulaḥ kaṁṭhaḥ praśastaścaturaṁgulaḥ

A nape that is dry, veined, thickly haired, overly broad, or crooked is inauspicious; a throat that is fleshy, rounded, and measures four fingers is praised.

Verse 81 (skanda.4.37.81)

शस्ता ग्रीवा त्रिरेखांका त्वव्यक्तास्थिः सुसंहता॥ निर्मांसा चिपिटा दीर्घास्थपुटा न शुभप्रदा

śastā grīvā trirekhāṁkā tvavyaktāsthiḥ susaṁhatā nirmāṁsā cipiṭā dīrghāsthapuṭā na śubhapradā

A neck marked with three fine lines, its bone not showing, and well-knit together is praised; but one that is fleshless, flattened, overlong, or knobby brings no good fortune.

Verse 82 (skanda.4.37.82)

स्थूलग्रीवा च विधवा वक्रग्रीवा च किंकरी॥ वंध्या द्विचिपिटग्रीवा ह्रस्वग्रीवा च निःसुता॥ चिबुकंद्वयंगुलं शस्तं वृत्तं पीनं सुकोमलम्॥ स्थूलं द्विधा संविभक्तमायतं रोमशं त्यजेत्

sthūlagrīvā ca vidhavā vakragrīvā ca kiṁkarī vaṁdhyā dvicipiṭagrīvā hrasvagrīvā ca niḥsutā cibukaṁdvayaṁgulaṁ śastaṁ vṛttaṁ pīnaṁ sukomalam sthūlaṁ dvidhā saṁvibhaktamāyataṁ romaśaṁ tyajet

A woman with a thick neck becomes a widow; one with a crooked neck becomes a servant; one whose neck is flattened on both sides becomes barren; and one with a short neck remains childless. A chin measuring two fingers, rounded, full, and very soft is praised; but one that is thick, cleft into two parts, elongated, or hairy should be avoided.

Verse 83 (skanda.4.37.83)

हनुश्चिबुकसंलग्ना निर्लोमा सुघनाशुभा॥ वक्रा स्थूला कृशा ह्रस्वा रोमशा न शुभप्रदा

hanuścibukasaṁlagnā nirlomā sughanāśubhā vakrā sthūlā kṛśā hrasvā romaśā na śubhapradā

A jaw well joined to the chin, hairless and well-formed, is auspicious; but one that is crooked, thick, thin, short, or hairy brings no good fortune.

Verse 84 (skanda.4.37.84)

शस्तौ कपोलौ वामाक्ष्याः पीनौ वृत्तौ समुन्नतौ॥ रोमशौ परुषौ निम्नौ निर्मांसौ परिवर्जयेत्

śastau kapolau vāmākṣyāḥ pīnau vṛttau samunnatau romaśau paruṣau nimnau nirmāṁsau parivarjayet

For a lovely-eyed woman, cheeks that are full, round, and evenly raised are praised; cheeks that are hairy, coarse, sunken, or fleshless should be avoided.

Verse 85 (skanda.4.37.85)

समं समांसं सुस्निग्धं स्वामोदं वर्तुलं मुखम्॥ जनेतृवदनच्छायं धन्यानामिह जायते

samaṁ samāṁsaṁ susnigdhaṁ svāmodaṁ vartulaṁ mukham janetṛvadanacchāyaṁ dhanyānāmiha jāyate

A face that is even, evenly fleshed, very soft, naturally fragrant, and rounded, bearing the very likeness of one's own mother's countenance, is found only among the truly fortunate.

Verse 86 (skanda.4.37.86)

पाटलो वर्तुलः स्निग्धो लेखाभूषितमध्यभूः॥ सीमंतिनी नामधरो धराजानि प्रियो भवेत्

pāṭalo vartulaḥ snigdho lekhābhūṣitamadhyabhūḥ sīmaṁtinī nāmadharo dharājāni priyo bhavet

A face that is rosy-pink, rounded, smooth, and whose middle ground is adorned with fine, graceful lines makes the woman who bears it dear even to a king.

Verse 87 (skanda.4.37.87)

कृशः प्रलंबः स्फुटितो रूक्षो दौर्भाग्यसूचकः॥ श्यावः स्थूलोऽधरोष्ठः स्याद्वैधव्य कलहप्रदः

kṛśaḥ pralaṁbaḥ sphuṭito rūkṣo daurbhāgyasūcakaḥ śyāvaḥ sthūlo'dharoṣṭhaḥ syādvaidhavya kalahapradaḥ

A lower lip that is thin, drooping, cracked, or dry foretells misfortune; and one that is dark-hued and thick brings widowhood and discord.

Verse 88 (skanda.4.37.88)

मसृणो मत्तकाशिन्याश्चोत्तरोष्ठः सुभोगदः॥ किंचिन्मध्योन्नतोऽरोमा विपरीतो विरुद्धकृत्

masṛṇo mattakāśinyāścottaroṣṭhaḥ subhogadaḥ kiṁcinmadhyonnato'romā viparīto viruddhakṛt

For a woman of intoxicating beauty, an upper lip that is smooth, slightly raised at the center, and free of hair brings great enjoyment; the opposite qualities bring the opposite result.

Verse 89 (skanda.4.37.89)

गोक्षीरसन्निभाः स्निग्धा द्वात्रिंशद्दशनाः शुभाः॥ अधस्तादुपरिष्टाच्च समाः स्तोकसमुन्नताः

gokṣīrasannibhāḥ snigdhā dvātriṁśaddaśanāḥ śubhāḥ adhastādupariṣṭācca samāḥ stokasamunnatāḥ

Thirty-two teeth, white as cow's milk, smooth, evenly ranged both above and below, and gently raised, are held auspicious.

Verse 90 (skanda.4.37.90)

पीताः श्यावाश्च दशनाः स्थूलादीर्घाद्विपंक्तयः॥ शुक्त्याकाराश्च विरला दुःखदौर्भाग्यकारणम्

pītāḥ śyāvāśca daśanāḥ sthūlādīrghādvipaṁktayaḥ śuktyākāraśca viralā duḥkhadaurbhāgyakāraṇam

Teeth that are yellow or dark, thick, overlong, uneven between the two rows, shell-shaped, or widely gapped become a cause of sorrow and misfortune.

Verse 91 (skanda.4.37.91)

अधस्तादधिकैर्दंतैर्मातरं भक्षयेत्स्फुटम्॥ पतिहीना च विकटैः कुलटा विरलैर्भवेत्॥ जिह्वेष्टमिष्टभोक्त्री स्याच्छोणामृद्वी तथासिता॥ दुःखाय मध्यसंकीर्णा पुरोभागसविस्तरा

adhastādadhikairdaṁtairmātaraṁ bhakṣayetsphuṭam patihīnā ca vikaṭaiḥ kulaṭā viralairbhavet jihveṣṭamiṣṭabhoktrī syācchoṇāmṛdvī tathāsitā duḥkhāya madhyasaṁkīrṇā purobhāgasavistarā

A woman whose lower teeth outnumber her upper teeth clearly proves an ill omen for her own mother. Misshapen teeth leave her husbandless, and widely gapped teeth make her unchaste. A tongue that is red, soft, and dark brings its owner the enjoyment of delicious food; but one that narrows in the middle and broadens toward the tip brings sorrow.

Verse 92 (skanda.4.37.92)

सितया तोयमरणं श्यामया कलहप्रिया॥ दरिद्रिणी मांसलया लंबयाऽभक्ष्यभक्षिणी

sitayā toyamaraṇaṁ śyāmayā kalahapriyā daridriṇī māṁsalayā laṁbayā'bhakṣyabhakṣiṇī

A woman with a pale tongue meets her death by water; one with a dark tongue is fond of quarrels; one with an overly fleshy tongue is poor; and one with a long, hanging tongue will even eat what should not be eaten.

Verse 93 (skanda.4.37.93)

विशालया रसनया प्रमदातिप्रमादभाक्॥ स्निग्धं कोकनदाभासं प्रशस्तं तालुकोमलम्

viśālayā rasanayā pramadātipramādabhāk snigdhaṁ kokanadābhāsaṁ praśastaṁ tālukomalam

With an overly broad tongue, a woman becomes excessively careless and reckless. A palate that is smooth, glowing red like a lotus, and soft is praised.

Verse 94 (skanda.4.37.94)

सिते तालुनि वैधव्यं पीते प्रव्रजिता भवेत्॥ कृष्णेऽपत्यवियोगार्ता रूक्षे भूरिकुटुंबिनी

site tāluni vaidhavyaṁ pīte pravrajitā bhavet kṛṣṇe'patyaviyogārtā rūkṣe bhūrikuṭuṁbinī

A pale palate brings widowhood, a yellow palate makes her a renunciate, a black palate brings the anguish of separation from her children, and a dry, rough palate makes her mistress of a great household.

Verse 95 (skanda.4.37.95)

कंठे स्थूला सुवृत्ता च क्रमतीक्ष्णा सुलोहिता॥ अप्रलंबा शुभा घंटी स्थूला कृष्णा च दुःखदा

kaṁṭhe sthūlā suvṛttā ca kramatīkṣṇā sulohitā apralaṁbā śubhā ghaṁṭī sthūlā kṛṣṇā ca duḥkhadā

In the throat, a uvula that is thick at the base, well-rounded, gradually tapering to a point, deep red, and not overly long is auspicious; but one that is uniformly thick and black brings sorrow.

Verse 96 (skanda.4.37.96)

अलक्षितद्विजं किंचित्किंचित्फुल्ल कपोलकम्॥ स्मितं प्रशस्तं सुदृशामनिमीलितलोचनम्

alakṣitadvijaṁ kiṁcitkiṁcitphulla kapolakam smitaṁ praśastaṁ sudṛśāmanimīlitalocanam

A smile that scarcely reveals the teeth, that gently brightens the cheeks, and that leaves the eyes still open is praised as the finest smile for a lovely-eyed woman.

Verse 97 (skanda.4.37.97)

समवृत्तपुटानासा लघुच्छिद्रा शुभावहा॥ स्थूलाग्रा मध्यनम्रा च न प्रशस्ता समुन्नता

samavṛttapuṭānāsā laghucchidrā śubhāvahā sthūlāgrā madhyanamrā ca na praśastā samunnatā

A nose with evenly rounded wings and small nostrils brings good fortune; but one with a thick tip or one that dips in the middle is not praised, while one that rises evenly throughout is excellent.

Verse 98 (skanda.4.37.98)

आकुंचितारुणाग्रा च वैधव्यक्लेशदायिनी॥ परप्रेष्या च चिपिटा ह्रस्वा दीर्घा कलिप्रिया

ākuṁcitāruṇāgrā ca vaidhavyakleśadāyinī parapreṣyā ca cipiṭā hrasvā dīrghā kalipriyā

A nose whose tip is curled and reddish brings the grief of widowhood; a flattened nose makes her another's servant; and one too short or too long makes her fond of strife.

Verse 99 (skanda.4.37.99)

दीर्घायुः कृत्क्षुतं दीर्घं युगपद्द्वित्रिपिंडितम्॥ ललना लोचने शस्ते रक्तांते कृष्णतारके

dīrghāyuḥ kṛtkṣutaṁ dīrghaṁ yugapaddvitripiṁḍitam lalanā locane śaste raktāṁte kṛṣṇatārake

A sneeze that comes long and drawn out, or that comes two or three at once, foretells long life. For a woman, the eyes that are praised are those reddish at the corners with dark, black pupils.

Verse 100 (skanda.4.37.100)

गोक्षीरवर्णविशदे सुस्निग्धे कृष्णपक्ष्मणी॥ उन्नताक्षी न दीर्घायुर्वृत्ताक्षी कुलटा भवेत्॥ मेषाक्षीमहिषाक्षी च केकराक्षी न शोभना॥ कामगृहीला नितरां गोपिंगाक्षी सुदुर्वृता

gokṣīravarṇaviśade susnigdhe kṛṣṇapakṣmaṇī unnatākṣī na dīrghāyurvṛttākṣī kulaṭā bhavet meṣākṣīmahiṣākṣī ca kekarākṣī na śobhanā kāmagṛhīlā nitarāṁ gopiṁgākṣī sudurvṛtā

Eyes clear and white as cow's milk, very smooth, and fringed with black lashes are the best. A woman with bulging eyes is not long-lived; one with perfectly round eyes becomes unchaste. Sheep-like eyes, buffalo-like eyes, and squinting eyes are not beautiful, and one whose eyes are tawny as a cow's is utterly overpowered by desire and given to very poor conduct.

Verse 101 (skanda.4.37.101)

पारावताक्षी दुःशीला रक्ताक्षी भर्तृघातिनी॥ कोटरा नयना दुष्टा गजनेत्रा न शोभना

pārāvatākṣī duḥśīlā raktākṣī bhartṛghātinī koṭarā nayanā duṣṭā gajanetrā na śobhanā

Dove-like eyes mark a woman of poor character; red eyes mark a slayer of her husband; hollow, sunken eyes mark a wicked woman; and elephant-like eyes are not accounted beautiful.

Verse 102 (skanda.4.37.102)

पुंश्चली वामकाणाक्षी वंध्या दक्षिणकाणिका॥ मधुपिंगाक्षी रमणी धनधान्यसमृद्धिभाक्

puṁścalī vāmakāṇākṣī vaṁdhyā dakṣiṇakāṇikā madhupiṁgākṣī ramaṇī dhanadhānyasamṛddhibhāk

A woman blind or defective in the left eye becomes unchaste; one defective in the right eye becomes barren; but the lovely woman whose eyes are tawny as honey enjoys abundance of wealth and grain.

Verse 103 (skanda.4.37.103)

पक्ष्मभिः सुघनैः स्निग्धैः कृष्णैः सूक्ष्मैः सुभाग्यभाक्॥ कपिलैर्विरलैः स्थूलैर्निंद्या भवति भामिनी

pakṣmabhiḥ sughanaiḥ snigdhaiḥ kṛṣṇaiḥ sūkṣmaiḥ subhāgyabhāk kapilairviralaiḥ sthūlairniṁdyā bhavati bhāminī

With eyelashes that are thick, smooth, black, and fine, a woman is blessed with good fortune; but with lashes that are tawny, sparse, or coarse, she becomes an object of censure.

Verse 104 (skanda.4.37.104)

भ्रुवौ सुवर्तुले तन्व्याः स्निग्धे कृष्णे असंहते॥ प्रशस्ते मृदुरोमाणौ सुभ्रुवः कार्मुकाकृती

bhruvau suvartule tanvyāḥ snigdhe kṛṣṇe asaṁhate praśaste mṛduromāṇau subhruvaḥ kārmukākṛtī

For a slender, beautiful-browed woman, eyebrows that are well-curved, smooth, black, not joined together, and softly haired, shaped like a bow, are praised as excellent.

Verse 105 (skanda.4.37.105)

खररोमा च पृथुला विकीर्णा सरला स्त्रियाः॥ न भ्रूः प्रशस्ता मिलिता दीर्घरोमा च पिंगला

khararomā ca pṛthulā vikīrṇā saralā striyāḥ na bhrūḥ praśastā militā dīrgharomā ca piṁgalā

A woman's eyebrows that are coarse-haired, overly broad, scattered, or perfectly straight are not praised; nor are brows that meet together at the middle, that are long-haired, or tawny in color.

Verse 106 (skanda.4.37.106)

लंबौ कर्णौ शुभावर्तौ सुखदौ च शुभप्रदौ॥ शष्कुलीरहितौ निंद्यौ शिरालौ कुटिलौ कृशौ

laṁbau karṇau śubhāvartau sukhadau ca śubhapradau śaṣkulīrahitau niṁdyau śirālau kuṭilau kṛśau

Ears that hang gracefully, marked with an auspicious whorl, bring happiness and good fortune; but ears lacking a full lobe, or that show visible veins, or are crooked, or thin, are held blameworthy.

Verse 107 (skanda.4.37.107)

भालः शिराविरहितो निर्लोमार्धेंदु सन्निभः॥ अनिम्नस्त्र्यंगुलो नार्याः सौभाग्यारोग्यकारणम्

bhālaḥ śirāvirahito nirlomārdheṁdu sannibhaḥ animnastryaṁgulo nāryāḥ saubhāgyārogyakāraṇam

A forehead free of visible veins, hairless, shaped like a half-moon, without any hollow, and three fingers in span becomes, for a woman, a source of good fortune and health.

Verse 108 (skanda.4.37.108)

व्यक्त स्वस्तिकरेखं च ललाटं राज्यसंपदे॥ प्रलंबं मस्तकं यस्या देवरं हन्ति सा ध्रुवम्

vyakta svastikarekhaṁ ca lalāṭaṁ rājyasaṁpade pralaṁbaṁ mastakaṁ yasyā devaraṁ hanti sā dhruvam

A forehead clearly marked with the line of a swastika brings royal wealth; but she whose head is unduly elongated will certainly bring about the death of her husband's younger brother.

Verse 109 (skanda.4.37.109)

रोमशेन शिरालेन प्रांशुना रोगिणी मता॥ सीमन्तः सरलः शस्तो मौलिः शस्तः समुन्नतः॥ गजकुंभनिभावृत्तैः सौभाग्यैश्वर्यसूचकैः

romaśena śirālena prāṁśunā rogiṇī matā sīmantaḥ saralaḥ śasto mauliḥ śastaḥ samunnataḥ gajakuṁbhanibhāvṛttaiḥ saubhāgyaiśvaryasūcakaiḥ

A woman whose forehead is thickly haired, veined, and unusually tall is held to be sickly. A straight hair-parting is praised; and a crown of the head that is evenly raised, rounded like the frontal dome of an elephant, is said to signal good fortune and prosperity.

Verse 110 (skanda.4.37.110)

स्थूलमूर्धा च विधवा दीर्घशीर्षा च बंधकी॥ विशालेनापि शिरसा भवेद्दौर्भाग्यभाजनम्

sthūlamūrdhā ca vidhavā dīrghaśīrṣā ca baṁdhakī viśālenāpi śirasā bhaveddaurbhāgyabhājanam

A woman with a thick-crowned head becomes a widow, one with an elongated head becomes a courtesan, and even one with an overly broad head becomes a vessel of misfortune.

Verse 111 (skanda.4.37.111)

केशा अलिकुलच्छायाः सूक्ष्माः स्निग्धाः सुकोमलाः॥ किंचिदाकुंचिताग्राश्च कुटिलाश्चातिशोभनाः

keśā alikulacchāyāḥ sūkṣmāḥ snigdhāḥ sukomalāḥ kiṁcidākuṁcitāgrāśca kuṭilāścātiśobhanāḥ

Hair that has the sheen of a swarm of dark bees, fine, smooth, very soft, gently curled at the tips, and softly waving, is exceedingly beautiful.

Verse 112 (skanda.4.37.112)

परुषाः स्फुटिताग्राश्च विरलाश्च शिरोरुहाः॥ पिंगला लघवो रूक्षा दुःखदारिद्र्यबंधदाः

paruṣāḥ sphuṭitāgrāśca viralāśca śiroruhāḥ piṁgalā laghavo rūkṣā duḥkhadāridryabaṁdhadāḥ

Hair that is coarse, split at the ends, thin, tawny, sparse, or dry brings sorrow, poverty, and bondage.

Verse 113 (skanda.4.37.113)

भ्रुवोरन्तर्ललाटे वा मशको राज्यसूचकः॥ वामे कपोले मशकः शोणो मिष्टान्नदः स्त्रियाः

bhruvorantarlalāṭe vā maśako rājyasūcakaḥ vāme kapole maśakaḥ śoṇo miṣṭānnadaḥ striyāḥ

A mole between the eyebrows or upon the forehead foretells royal fortune; and a reddish mole on the left cheek grants a woman an abundance of delicious food.

Verse 114 (skanda.4.37.114)

तिलकं लांछनं वापि हृदि सौभाग्यकारणम्॥ यस्या दक्षिणवक्षोजे शोणे तिलकलांछने

tilakaṁ lāṁchanaṁ vāpi hṛdi saubhāgyakāraṇam yasyā dakṣiṇavakṣoje śoṇe tilakalāṁchane

A mole or birthmark upon the region of the heart is a cause of good fortune. She who bears a reddish mole or birthmark upon her right breast...

Verse 115 (skanda.4.37.115)

कन्या चतुष्टयं सूते सूते सा च सुतत्रयम्॥ तिलकं लांछनं शोणं यस्या वामे कुचे भवेत्

kanyā catuṣṭayaṁ sūte sūte sā ca sutatrayam tilakaṁ lāṁchanaṁ śoṇaṁ yasyā vāme kuce bhavet

...bears four daughters, and thereafter three sons. She who bears a reddish mole or birthmark upon her left breast...

Verse 116 (skanda.4.37.116)

एकं पुत्रं प्रसूयादौ ततः सा विधवा भवेत्॥ गुह्यस्य दक्षिणे भागे तिलकं यदि योषितः

ekaṁ putraṁ prasūyādau tataḥ sā vidhavā bhavet guhyasya dakṣiṇe bhāge tilakaṁ yadi yoṣitaḥ

...bears one son first, and thereafter becomes a widow. If a woman bears a mole on the right side of her private parts...

Verse 117 (skanda.4.37.117)

तदा क्षितिपतेः पत्नी सूते वा क्षितिपं सुतम्॥ नासाग्रे मशकः शोणो महिष्या एव जायते

tadā kṣitipateḥ patnī sūte vā kṣitipaṁ sutam nāsāgre maśakaḥ śoṇo mahiṣyā eva jāyate

...she becomes a king's wife, or bears a son who becomes a king. A reddish mole at the tip of the nose is found only upon a queen.

Verse 118 (skanda.4.37.118)

कृष्णः स एव भर्तृघ्न्याः पुंश्चल्याश्च प्रकीर्तितः॥ नाभेरधस्तात्तिलकं मशको लांछनं शुभम्॥ मशकस्तिलकं चिह्नं गुल्फदेशे दरिद्रकृत॥ करे कर्णे कपोले वा कण्ठे वामे भवेद्यदि

kṛṣṇaḥ sa eva bhartṛghnyāḥ puṁścalyāśca prakīrtitaḥ nābheradhastāttilakaṁ maśako lāṁchanaṁ śubham maśakastilakaṁ cihnaṁ gulphadeśe daridrakṛta kare karṇe kapole vā kaṇṭhe vāme bhavedyadi

But that same mole, if black, is declared to mark a slayer of her husband, a woman of loose conduct. A mole or birthmark below the navel is auspicious, but one at the ankle brings poverty. If such a mark occurs upon the left hand, ear, cheek, or throat...

Verse 119 (skanda.4.37.119)

एषां त्रयाणामेकं तु प्राग्गर्भे पुत्रदं भवेत्॥ भालगेन त्रिशूलेन निर्मितेन स्वयंभुवा

eṣāṁ trayāṇāmekaṁ tu prāggarbhe putradaṁ bhavet bhālagena triśūlena nirmitena svayaṁbhuvā

...then any one of these three marks grants a son in the very first pregnancy -- just as does a trident-shaped mark upon the forehead, fashioned there by the Self-born Creator himself.

Verse 120 (skanda.4.37.120)

नितंबिनी सहस्राणां स्वामित्वं योषिदाप्नुयात्॥ सुप्ता परस्परं यातु दंतान्किटिकिटायते

nitaṁbinī sahasrāṇāṁ svāmitvaṁ yoṣidāpnuyāt suptā parasparaṁ yātu daṁtānkiṭikiṭāyate

Such a woman gains lordship over thousands. But she who, while asleep, grinds her teeth together, making them clatter...

Verse 121 (skanda.4.37.121)

सुलक्ष्मापि न सा शस्ता या किंचित्प्रलपेत्तथा॥ पाणौ प्रदक्षिणावर्तो धर्म्यो वामो न शोभनः

sulakṣmāpi na sā śastā yā kiṁcitpralapettathā pāṇau pradakṣiṇāvarto dharmyo vāmo na śobhanaḥ

...or who mutters in her sleep, is not to be praised, however good her other marks. On the hand, a whorl turning rightward is held virtuous; one turning leftward is not accounted fair.

Verse 122 (skanda.4.37.122)

नाभौ श्रुतावुरसि वा दक्षिणावर्त ईडितः॥ सुखाय दक्षिणावर्तः पृष्ठवंशस्य दक्षिणे

nābhau śrutāvurasi vā dakṣiṇāvarta īḍitaḥ sukhāya dakṣiṇāvartaḥ pṛṣṭhavaṁśasya dakṣiṇe

A rightward-turning whorl upon the navel, the ear, or the chest is praised; and one turning rightward on the right side of the spine brings happiness.

Verse 123 (skanda.4.37.123)

अन्तःपृष्ठं नाभिसमो बह्वायुः पुत्रवर्धनः॥ राजपत्न्याः प्रदृश्येत भगमौलौ प्रदक्षिणः

antaḥpṛṣṭhaṁ nābhisamo bahvāyuḥ putravardhanaḥ rājapatnyāḥ pradṛśyeta bhagamaulau pradakṣiṇaḥ

A whorl on the inner back, level with the navel, grants long life and increase of sons. A rightward-turning whorl at the crown of the private parts is seen only in the wife of a king.

Verse 124 (skanda.4.37.124)

सचेच्छकटभंगःस्याद्बह्वपत्यसुखप्रदः॥ कटिगो गुह्यवेधेन पत्यपत्यनिपातनः

sacecchakaṭabhaṁgaḥsyādbahvapatyasukhapradaḥ kaṭigo guhyavedhena patyapatyanipātanaḥ

If that same whorl is shaped like a broken cart, it brings the joy of many children; but one placed at the waist, appearing to pierce through toward the private parts, brings ruin upon both husband and child.

Verse 125 (skanda.4.37.125)

स्यातामुदरवेधेन पृष्ठावर्तौ न शोभनौ॥ एकेन हंति भर्तारं भवेदन्येन पुं श्चली

syātāmudaravedhena pṛṣṭhāvartau na śobhanau ekena haṁti bhartāraṁ bhavedanyena puṁ ścalī

Two whorls upon the back that seem to pierce through toward the belly are not beautiful: by one she brings about her husband's death, and by the other she becomes unchaste.

Verse 126 (skanda.4.37.126)

कण्ठगो दक्षिणावर्तो दुःखवैधव्यहेतुकः॥ सीमन्तेथ ललाटे वा त्याज्यो दूरात्प्रयत्नतः

kaṇṭhago dakṣiṇāvarto duḥkhavaidhavyahetukaḥ sīmantetha lalāṭe vā tyājyo dūrātprayatnataḥ

A rightward-turning whorl upon the throat is a cause of sorrow and widowhood; and likewise one at the hair-parting or upon the forehead should, with great care, be shunned from afar.

Verse 127 (skanda.4.37.127)

सा पतिं हंति वर्षेण यस्या मध्ये कृकाटिकम्॥ प्रदक्षिणो वा वामो वा रोम्णामावर्त्तकः स्त्रियाः॥ एको वा मूर्धनि द्वौ वा वामे वामगती यदि॥ आदशाहं पतिघ्नौ तौ त्याज्यौ दूरात्सुबुद्धिना

sā patiṁ haṁti varṣeṇa yasyā madhye kṛkāṭikam pradakṣiṇo vā vāmo vā romṇāmāvarttakaḥ striyāḥ eko vā mūrdhani dvau vā vāme vāmagatī yadi ādaśāhaṁ patighnau tau tyājyau dūrātsubuddhinā

She who bears a whorl at the very middle of the nape brings about her husband's death within a year. Whether a woman's hair-whorl turns rightward or leftward -- if there is a single whorl at the crown, or two whorls leaning toward the left, persisting so for ten days -- both are held to be husband-slaying; the wise man should shun them from afar.

Verse 128 (skanda.4.37.128)

कट्यावर्ता च कुलटा नाभ्यावर्ता पतिव्रता॥ पृष्ठावर्ता च भर्तृघ्नी कुलटा वाथ जायते

kaṭyāvartā ca kulaṭā nābhyāvartā pativratā pṛṣṭhāvartā ca bhartṛghnī kulaṭā vātha jāyate

A whorl at the waist marks her unchaste; a whorl at the navel marks her a devoted wife; and a whorl upon the back marks her either a slayer of her husband or unchaste.

Verse 129 (skanda.4.37.129)

स्कंद उवाच॥ सुलक्षणापि दुःशीला कुलक्षण शिरोमणिः॥ अलक्षणापि सा साध्वी सर्वलक्षणभूस्तु सा

skaṁda uvāca sulakṣaṇāpi duḥśīlā kulakṣaṇa śiromaṇiḥ alakṣaṇāpi sā sādhvī sarvalakṣaṇabhūstu sā

Skanda said: "A woman of excellent bodily marks, if she is of evil character, is herself the very crown of every ill omen; but one who lacks such marks, if she is virtuous, is herself the very ground of every good omen."

Verse 130 (skanda.4.37.130)

सुलक्षणा सुचारित्रा स्वाधीना पतिदेवता॥ विश्वेशानुग्रहादेव गृहे योषिदवाप्यते

sulakṣaṇā sucāritrā svādhīnā patidevatā viśveśānugrahādeva gṛhe yoṣidavāpyate

A wife of good marks, good character, inward self-command, and devotion to her husband as her very deity is obtained in one's household only through the grace of Vishveshvara.

Verse 131 (skanda.4.37.131)

अलकृताः स्ववासिन्यो याभिः प्राक्तनजन्मनि॥ नानाविधैरलंकारैस्ताः सुरूपा भवंति हि

alakṛtāḥ svavāsinyo yābhiḥ prāktanajanmani nānāvidhairalaṁkāraistāḥ surūpā bhavaṁti hi

Those women who, in a former birth, adorned the goddesses dwelling in their own homes with ornaments of many kinds are, in this birth, blessed with beautiful form.

Verse 132 (skanda.4.37.132)

सुतीर्थेषु वपुर्याभिः क्षयितं वा विहायितम्॥ ता लावण्यतरंगिण्यो भवंतीह सुलक्षणाः

sutīrtheṣu vapuryābhiḥ kṣayitaṁ vā vihāyitam tā lāvaṇyataraṁgiṇyo bhavaṁtīha sulakṣaṇāḥ

Those who, at the sacred fords, wore down their bodies in austerity, or even offered them up entirely, become in this life women of good marks, rivers of pure loveliness.

Verse 133 (skanda.4.37.133)

अर्चिता जगतां माता याभिर्मृडवधूरिव॥ ता भवंति सुचारित्रा योषाः स्वाधीनभ र्तृकाः

arcitā jagatāṁ mātā yābhirmṛḍavadhūriva tā bhavaṁti sucāritrā yoṣāḥ svādhīnabha rtṛkāḥ

Those who worshipped the Mother of the Worlds as the very bride of Shiva herself become women of good character, whose husbands remain ever devoted to them.

Verse 134 (skanda.4.37.134)

स्वाधीन पतिकानां च सुशीलानां मृगीदृशाम्॥ स्वर्गापवर्गावत्रैव सुलक्षण फलं हि तत्

svādhīna patikānāṁ ca suśīlānāṁ mṛgīdṛśām svargāpavargāvatraiva sulakṣaṇa phalaṁ hi tat

For doe-eyed women of good character, whose husbands remain devoted to them, both heaven and final liberation are attained right here -- that indeed is the true fruit of good bodily marks.

Verse 135 (skanda.4.37.135)

सुलक्षणैः सुचरितैरपि मंदायुषं पतिम्॥ दीर्घायुषं प्रकुर्वंति प्रमदाः प्रमदास्पदम्

sulakṣaṇaiḥ sucaritairapi maṁdāyuṣaṁ patim dīrghāyuṣaṁ prakurvaṁti pramadāḥ pramadāspadam

By their good marks and good conduct, women -- who are themselves an abode of delight -- can even grant long life to a husband whose fate was fixed for an early death.

Verse 136 (skanda.4.37.136)

अतः सुलक्षणा योषा परिणेया विचक्षणैः॥ लक्षणानि परीक्ष्यादौ हित्वा दुर्लक्षणान्यपि॥ लक्षणानि मयोक्तानि सुखाय गृहमेधिनाम्॥ विवाहानपि वक्ष्यामि तन्निबोध घटोद्भव

ataḥ sulakṣaṇā yoṣā pariṇeyā vicakṣaṇaiḥ lakṣaṇāni parīkṣyādau hitvā durlakṣaṇānyapi lakṣaṇāni mayoktāni sukhāya gṛhamedhinām vivāhānapi vakṣyāmi tannibodha ghaṭodbhava

Therefore discerning men should marry only a woman of good marks, having first thoroughly examined her features and set aside those marked by ill omen. These marks I have declared for the happiness of householders. Now I shall also speak of the rites of marriage -- attend to this, O Ghatodbhava.