In the ancient wisdom of the scriptures, the physical forms and marks upon a king or a man reveal much about their nature and destiny. Kings whose arms are uneven, thin, and emaciated are seen as destitute, lacking the fullness of royal fortune. Among rulers of lesser rank, their hair is often rough and sparse, reflecting their inferior status. Those whose chests are uneven are denied the pleasures of heaven, just as those who fall to weapons in battle. Yet, a king with an elevated chest delights in pleasure, while one with a depressed chest is bereft of wealth; a full chest, on the other hand, is a sign of riches. A hero is marked by a neck like that of a buffalo—strong and sturdy—whereas one who dies by weapons bears a throat like a deer’s, slender and vulnerable. Auspiciousness is found in those who lack hair and have bent backs, but the absence of these traits is considered inauspicious. For those who live without purpose, such signs are the root of poverty. The arms of a true king extend down to his knees, round and full, a mark of power and generosity. Hands adorned with marks resembling weapons are auspicious, while thick fingers indicate a lack of wealth, and thin, bent fingers signal slenderness. Men with depressed palms suffer the loss of ancestral property, and kings with cut hands, who are noisy, are deprived of their riches. Teeth, too, reveal much: those that are prominent and uneven point to an uneven nature. Men addicted to other women, with yellow and rough teeth, are considered destitute. The absence or deformity of nails, or nails that are discolored, mark a person as belonging to others, not their own master. For women, lines at the base of the thumb and long finger joints are significant. A wealthy person with thick fingers will have three lines on the palm. The sign of two fish marks a man who gives gifts with a sense of shame. Kings may bear marks on their palms resembling a conch, umbrella, palanquin, elephant, or lotus, each signifying royal fortune. Those rich in cattle have marks like a rope, while a king among men may display a svastika. For those devoted to sacrifice, marks of a mortar or altar are found. Lines at the base of the thumb indicate sons, while fine lines suggest daughters. These lines bestow long life, but if broken, they forewarn of a death involving a tree. Fleshy lips are a sign of wealth; kings have lips tinged with red. Irregular teeth point to poverty, but teeth that are smooth, thick, and beautiful are auspicious. A smooth and long palate is desirable, but a white palate foretells loss of wealth. For kings, the palate should be pure and smooth, for the opposite brings suffering. The wealthy have round, curved palates, while the poor possess long ones. Those without children have sunken and crooked palates, and the unfortunate, short ones. A closely set, unseparated tip and a red beard are the marks of a thief. Ears that are fleshless and flattened bring little enjoyment, and the unfortunate have short ears. But those with large ears are said to be wealthy kings. A sensualist is marked by sunken cheeks, while a wise man’s cheeks are full. A person whose nose tip is cut or has a well is drawn to unworthy partners. If the nose is pressed down by death, that person becomes dependent on the fortunate. In cruel people, the right side is crooked, and the strong are marked by a single sneeze. The eyes, too, reveal destiny: those whose eyes are slanted at the ends and resemble lotus petals are destined for happiness. Eyes like a peacock’s belong to the cruel, and green eyes are considered impure. Deep-set eyes are seen in lords, while ministers have large eyes. Yet, those with black pupils are warned that their eyes may be plucked out. Thus, the body’s marks and features are not mere accidents, but sacred signs, revealing the hidden truths of fate, character, and fortune as revealed by the ancient sages.