In the sacred Jyotisha section of the Ācāra Kāṇḍa, within the great Garuda Purāṇa, the sages expound the subtle science of auspicious and inauspicious planetary positions. They reveal that Taurus shines brightest when paired with Sagittarius, and Scorpio is most excellent with Gemini. Thus concludes the sixty-first chapter, which determines the favorable and unfavorable places of the planets. Continuing, the discourse turns to the ascendant and the placement of the Sun. Beginning from the ascendant, the Sun is situated in its respective sign. In the signs of Pisces and Aries, five qualities are found; Taurus and Aquarius yield four. Leo and Scorpio possess six, while Virgo and Libra bestow seven. At the beginning and end of each sign dwell the lords of the oceans of rasa, the essence of life. When Aries rises as the ascendant, barrenness is indicated, but with Taurus, passion flourishes. In Leo, the woman bears few children; Virgo grants beauty. Sagittarius brings fortune, while Capricorn leads to a lowly manner of living. Libra, Cancer, Aries, and Capricorn are noted as particular signs, and Taurus, Aquarius, and Scorpio are recognized as fixed signs. The wise are advised to act in the dual-natured signs, especially when establishing deities or arranging marriages. Auspiciousness is found in the second, seventh, and twelfth positions, O bull-bannered one, while the fourth, ninth, Rikta, and fourteenth positions are to be avoided. The qualities to be considered include movable, benefic, Jupiter, swift, gentle, Venus, the Sun, and fixed. Journeys are best begun when the signs are movable and swift; entry is favored with gentle and fixed signs. The consecration of kings and fire rituals are especially praised on Mondays, while Mars presides over the command of armies, valor in battle, and the practice of weapons. Jupiter is auspicious for study, worship of deities, and adorning oneself with garments and ornaments. Saturn is favorable for establishing, entering a house, and binding elephants. Thus concludes the sixty-second chapter, concerning the determination of ascendant, ghati, and measures. The sage then promises to describe, in brief, the characteristics of men and women, addressing Shankara. Fingers held close together, coppery nails, well-formed ankles, and veins that do not stand out are marks of good fortune. Conversely, deformed, pale nails and raised, curved veins portend poverty and suffering, needing no further consideration. Kings and great souls are distinguished by a single hair in each follicle. Three hairs per follicle indicate poverty; knees lacking flesh signal disease. A thick organ is a sign of poverty, while a single testicle brings misery. Hanging testicles denote a short life, absence of wealth, and ill fortune. Those whose urine is noiseless are destined for kingship; those with sound are not. A serpent-like belly is a sign of poverty. Longevity is revealed by the lines on the body. A man blessed with happiness and sons may live sixty years. A single line reaching to the end of the ear signifies a lifespan of one hundred years; two lines, seventy years; three lines, sixty years. Fewer lines mean forty years of life. If a trident or spear is seen on the forehead, it carries its own significance. The line of life is found in the middle, between the index and middle fingers. The first line, the line of knowledge, follows from the thumb. The line of life, resting upon the little finger, enters there. Thus, the ancient wisdom of the Garuda Purāṇa continues, guiding seekers in the mysteries of astrology and the signs of destiny.