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Bhava Kutuhala · Chapter 10
दशमोऽध्यायः
This chapter describes a woman's body marks, from the feet up to the head. It names marks of the feet, legs, belly, hands, neck, face and hair.
For each, the old texts link good marks with comfort and good fortune. It also lists marks they do not favour. It closes with rites and advice at the time of marriage.
The English below is our translation from the Sanskrit.
अथ शुभाशुभलक्षणकारणम्—
भूषितामलविभूषणादिभिःक्षालितं वपुरनेकधा पुरा ।तीर्थराजपयसा भवन्ति तालक्षणैरिह शुभाः सुलक्षणाः ॥ १२१ ॥
They adorned her with clean jewels and the like. Long ago they washed their bodies many times in the water of Prayaga, the king of holy places. In this life such women are born with good marks that bring good fortune.
Simple meaning: Women who honoured Parvati and bathed at holy Prayaga are said to be born with good marks.
अथ शुभाशुभलक्षणकारणम्—
कृतं नहि तपो यया नगजया समाराधितोहरिर्नहि रविव्रतं नहि कृतं च तीर्थाटनम् ।धनं नहि धरामरे परसमर्पितं तर्पितंगुरोः कुलमिहाङ्गना भवति सैव दीनाङ्गना ॥ १२२ ॥
A woman may have done no austerity. She may not have worshipped Parvati or Hari. She kept no Sunday vow and went on no pilgrimage. She gave no wealth to a Brahmin and did not please her teacher's family. Such a woman may have a life of hardship in this world. (Our text is unclear here: how the word nagajaya joins with Hari is hard to read.)
Simple meaning: The old text says a woman who did no worship, vows or giving may have a life of hardship.
अथ सुरेखाफलम्--
यतः सुलक्षणी रेखा योषा हीनायुषं पतिम् ।दीर्घायुषं सुचरितैः प्रकरोति सुखास्पदम् ॥ १२३ ॥
A woman with good marks and lines may make a husband of short life long-lived, by her good conduct. She gives him a home of comfort.
Simple meaning: A woman with good marks and conduct may bring her husband long life and comfort.
अथ कुलक्षणफलम्--
दीर्घायुषं पतिं हन्ति कुयोगैश्च कुलक्षणैः ।अतः सुलक्षणा कन्या परिणेया विचक्षणैः ॥ १२४ ॥
A woman may have marks the old texts link with hardship, and bad combinations in her chart. Then there is a risk even to a long-lived husband's life. So the wise should marry a girl with good marks.
Simple meaning: Bad chart combinations and such marks may risk a husband's life. So the wise marry a girl with good marks.
अथ कुलक्षणफलम्--
कुलक्षणविलक्षिता यदि सुताऽत्रसंजायतेश्रुतिस्मृति पथानया परमसोमवारव्रतम् ।विधाय तदनन्तरं रहसि कारयित्वाच्युतद्रुमेण हरिणा कृतोशुभघटेन पाणिग्रहम् ॥ १२५ ॥
A daughter may be born with marks the old texts link with hardship. She should keep the great Monday vow, by the way of the Shruti and Smriti. After that, in private, a marriage rite should be done for her. It uses a tree dear to Achyuta (Vishnu), Hari, and a pot that removes ill luck. (Our text is unclear here: the words for the tree, Hari and the pot do not join clearly.)
Simple meaning: For such a girl the old text advises a Monday vow and a private first rite with a sacred tree.
अथ कुलक्षणफलम्--
शुभेऽहनि कुमारिकाकरनिपीडनं कारयेद्वरेण चिरजीविना पुनरिदं न दोषायते ।इदं तु बहुसंमतं मुनिवरेण गीतं पुनःप्रमाणपटुनादृतं प्रियविनोदकन्दप्रदम् ॥ १२६ ॥
On a lucky day the girl should then be married again, to a long-lived groom. This is then no fault. It is widely agreed and sung by the best of sages. Those skilled in proof trust it. It brings dear joy.
Simple meaning: Then she can be married on a lucky day to a long-lived groom, and this is no fault.
अथ कुलक्षणफलम्--
कुलक्षणैः कुयोगैश्च लक्षिता वनिता यदा ।तस्याः पूर्वविधानेन विवाहं कारयेद्बुधः ॥ १२७ ॥
A woman may be marked by marks the old texts link with hardship, and by bad combinations. Then the wise should have her marriage done by the method given before.
Simple meaning: For such a woman the wise should have the marriage done by the method given before.
अथ कुलक्षणफलम्--
जीवनाथविदुषात्र कामिनीलक्षणं बुधमनोमुदे मया ।स्कन्दकुम्भभवयोर्विवादजंव्यासगीतमखिलं प्रकाशितम् ॥ १२८ ॥
Here I, the learned Jivanatha, have made clear these marks of women, for the joy of wise minds. It all came from the talk between Skanda and Kumbhabhava (Agastya), as sung by Vyasa.
Simple meaning: Jivanatha says he has made clear the marks of women, drawn from Skanda, Agastya and Vyasa.
The chapter goes from the feet up to the head. Verse 10.12 gives a good mark of the toenails, and verse 10.101 a good mark of the forehead.
Yes. Verse 10.1 says good marks bring growing happiness to the family from the day she is married.