FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.21.15

प्रांशु: पीनायतभुजो गौर: कञ्जारुणेक्षण: । सुनास: सुमुख: सौम्य: पीनांस: सुद्विजस्मित: ॥ १५ ॥
prāṁśuḥ pīnāyata-bhujo
[praamshuh peenaayata-bhujo]
gauraḥ kañjāruṇekṣaṇaḥ
[gaurah kanjaarunekshanah]
sunāsaḥ sumukhaḥ saumyaḥ
[sunaasah sumukhah saumyah]
pīnāṁsaḥ sudvija-smitaḥ
[peenaamsah sudvija-smitah]
prāṁśuḥ — very tall pīna-āyata — full and broad bhujaḥ — arms gauraḥ — fair-complexioned kañja — lotuslike aruṇa-īkṣaṇaḥ — with bright eyes resembling a morning sunrise su-nāsaḥ — straight nose su-mukhaḥ — with a beautiful face saumyaḥ — of a grave bodily stature pīna-aṁsaḥ — shoulders raised su — beautiful dvija — teeth smitaḥ — smiling.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
prāṁśuḥ pīnāyata-bhujo
prāṁśuḥ
very tall
pīna-āyata
full and broad
bhujaḥ
arms
gauraḥ kañjāruṇekṣaṇaḥ
gauraḥ
fair-complexioned
kañja
lotuslike
aruṇa-īkṣaṇaḥ
with bright eyes resembling a morning sunrise
sunāsaḥ sumukhaḥ saumyaḥ
su-nāsaḥ
straight nose
su-mukhaḥ
with a beautiful face
saumyaḥ
of a grave bodily stature
pīnāṁsaḥ sudvija-smitaḥ
pīna-aṁsaḥ
shoulders raised
su
beautiful
dvija
teeth
smitaḥ
smiling.
King Pṛthu’s body was tall and sturdy, and his complexion was fair. His arms were full and broad and his eyes as bright as the rising sun. His nose was straight, his face very beautiful, and his personality grave. His teeth were set beautifully in his smiling face.

Amongst the four social orders ( brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras ), the kṣatriyas, both men and women, are generally very beautiful. As will be apparent from the following verses, it is to be concluded that not only were Mahārāja Pṛthu’s bodily features attractive, as described here, but he had specific all-auspicious signs in his bodily construction.

As it is said, “The face is the index of the mind.” One’s mental constitution is exhibited by his facial features. The bodily features of a particular person are exhibited in accordance with his past deeds, for according to one’s past deeds, his next bodily features — whether in human society, animal society or demigod society — are determined. This is proof of the transmigration of the soul through different types of bodies.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
He was tall, with long, thick arms, fair complexion, and red lotus eyes. He had a graceful nose, a beautiful, cheerful face, thick shoulders and a smile with beautiful teeth.
Tall, fair, full-armed, sun-bright eyes, straight nose, beautiful face, grave personality, smiling teeth. The kṣatriya beauty is described in detail; physical presence is part of dharma's transmission.
Reflection Questions
  • Where do I dismiss physical presence as superficial when scripture treats it as load-bearing?
  • Which physical disciplines would honor the role I've been given?
📝 My note

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