Bhuvansundari Kathayam Varnitani Samudrik Shastra Kathit Lakshanani - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, "Bhuvansundari Kathayam Varnitani Samudrik Shastra Kathit Lakshanani":

Book Title: Bhuvansundari Kathayam Varnitani Samudrik Shastra Kathit Lakshanani Author: Shilchandrasuri Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/229332/1

Overall Context:

This text is an excerpt from a larger, unpublished Jain work titled "Bhuvansundari Katha" by Acharya Vijay Singh Suri, composed in Prākrit around 975 AD. The author, Shilchandrasuri, presents this specific section, which details various physical characteristics (lakshanas) of humans as described in the science of physiognomy (Samudrika Shastra). The text highlights that while such works are common in Sanskrit, their exploration in Prākrit is rare, making this excerpt particularly valuable and interesting for enthusiasts of the subject. The text aims to describe the auspicious and inauspicious signs associated with different body parts, often correlating them with social status, wealth, and destiny, particularly the likelihood of becoming a king or a Chakravarti (universal ruler).

Key Themes and Descriptions:

The text systematically outlines physical attributes and their corresponding interpretations according to Samudrika Shastra, focusing on distinguishing those destined for greatness from those who are not. The descriptions are poetic and metaphorical, often drawing parallels with nature and animals.

Detailed Breakdown of Physical Characteristics and Their Meanings:

Feet (Page 1):
- Soft, lotus-like soles, with toes that resemble lotus petals.
- Feet that are cool to the touch, free of prominent veins, and with well-formed ankles.
- Well-formed, cool feet indicate prosperity and royalty.
Legs (Page 1):
- Shins with sparse, soft hair.
- Calves that are rounded and shapely.
- Thighs that are muscular and resemble elephant trunks.
- Knees that are well-formed and proportioned.
- These attributes are associated with kings and noblemen.
Hair (Page 1):
- The number of hairs in a specific area is significant: one hair for kings, two for Brahmins.
- Excessive hair is considered inauspicious.
Genitals (Page 1):
- A large penis with a subtle shaft and prominent veins is indicative of a less fortunate or poor person.
- A well-formed, proportionate penis suggests a happy and prosperous individual.
Fragrance (Page 1):
- A fragrance like that of flowers indicates a learned and respectable person.
- A fragrance like honey signifies wealth.
- A fish-like smell indicates a life filled with hardship and sorrow.
Build and Progeny (Page 1):
- A lean body with many children suggests longevity.
- A robust body with many children also indicates a long life.
- A lean body with few or no children suggests a short life.
Waist and Abdomen (Page 2):
- A very broad waist indicates wealth.
- A waist resembling a lion's signifies a ruler.
- A waist resembling a tortoise's signifies poverty and misfortune.
- A well-proportioned and flat abdomen indicates wealth.
- A large or protruding abdomen signifies enjoyment and indulgence.
- A raised abdomen indicates royalty.
Abdomen (Page 2):
- Uneven abdominal folds suggest deceitful and manipulative individuals.
- A snake-like abdomen indicates poverty, gluttony, and miserliness.
Navel (Page 2):
- A deep and circular navel signifies good fortune and happiness.
- A shallow, indistinct, or upward-pointing navel indicates sorrow and hardship.
Body Form (Page 2):
- Men with uneven bodily proportions are deceitful and sinful.
- Men with even and well-proportioned bodies are happy and continent, not engaging in illicit affairs.
Skin and Hair (Page 2):
- Soft, fleshy skin with clockwise-growing hair indicates divine favor and a life free from suffering.
- The opposite (rough, dry skin, counter-clockwise hair) signifies a life of great misery.
Chest and Heart (Page 2):
- A raised, fleshy, and broad chest signifies a king.
- An uneven chest indicates poverty.
- A chest prone to being struck by weapons suggests a violent death.
Neck (Page 2):
- A conch-shaped neck signifies a king.
- A buffalo-like neck indicates a valiant warrior.
- A long neck suggests a gluttonous person.
Back (Page 2):
- A strong, well-built back with sparse hair indicates royalty.
- A strong back, with clear markings, and free from blemishes and hair is highly auspicious.
Shoulders (Page 2):
- Broad, even, and well-joined shoulders signify a ruler.
- Narrow, uneven, and hairy shoulders indicate a lesser status.
Arms (Page 2):
- Arms resembling elephant trunks, thick, and reaching the knees signify royalty.
- The arms of others are less notable.
Wrists and Hands (Page 3):
- Wrists that are well-formed, strong, and with closely joined bones are characteristic of kings.
- The opposite indicates a lesser status.
- Long, slender, and delicate fingers indicate a long life.
- Smooth fingers signify intelligence.
- Thick fingers indicate strength and valor.
- Well-formed, unblemished, and slightly bent fingers are auspicious for royalty.
Chin (Page 3):
- A very long and thin chin signifies poverty.
- A fleshy and well-proportioned chin indicates royalty.
- A chin that is not prominent and integrated with the face is also indicative of royalty.
Lips (Page 3):
- Lips that are not protruding and are shaped like the Bimba fruit signify royalty.
- Chapped, uneven, or fissured lips indicate poverty.
Teeth (Page 3):
- Even, proportionate, sharp, and beautiful teeth are auspicious.
- A red, long, smooth, and even tongue signifies royalty.
Face (Page 3):
- A face that is bright, clear, spotless, and moon-like signifies a king.
- An opposite, unblemished, and featureless face indicates misfortune.
Ears (Page 3):
- Ears that are fleshy, wide, and hairy signify royalty.
- Ears that are thin, open, and have prominent veins indicate sinful people.
Cheeks and Nose (Page 3):
- Full, fleshy cheeks without hair or blemishes signify a king.
- Straight, smooth, and raised nostrils are auspicious.
Eyes (Page 3):
- Eyes shaped like lotus petals, reddish, and with a bright glow indicate royalty.
- Yellowish eyes resembling those of a cat signify a cruel nature.
Forehead (Page 3):
- A forehead that is even and broad signifies a ruler.
- Uneven or narrow foreheads indicate poverty.
Hair (Page 3):
- Hair shaped like an umbrella (arching) signifies royalty.
- Curled, thick, unblemished, and beautiful hair is also considered auspicious.

Quantitative Descriptions (Page 4):

The text then delves into specific quantitative measurements and counts of auspicious features, particularly relating to becoming a Chakravarti:

Three deep features: (The text lists them as "nabhi-sar-satta-i" - navel, sar, and sattva)
Three broad features: Mouth, chest, forehead.
Four slender features: Back, genitals, shins, neck.
Five subtle features: Hair, teeth, fingers, joints, nails.
Five long features: Chin, eyes, the space between breasts, arms, nose. (These are particularly indicative of royalty).
Six elevated features: Heart, throat, nails, nose, mouth, neck joint. (These are considered praiseworthy).
Seven auspicious features: Corners of the eyes, feet, hands, tongue, nails, lips, palate.

Conclusion:

The text concludes by stating that a man possessing all these auspicious signs (sallakshanani) is destined to become a Chakravarti. It also mentions that specific measurements of the body (in angulas - finger widths) for the best, middle, and lowest categories of people exist, though the specific measurements for all categories are not fully detailed in this excerpt.

In essence, the "Bhuvansundari Kathayam Varnitani Samudrik Shastra Kathit Lakshanani" provides a fascinating glimpse into the ancient Jain understanding of physiognomy, linking physical attributes to destiny, wealth, and status, with a particular focus on identifying characteristics of royalty and universal rulers.