Listen, as the ancient wisdom of the marks of destiny unfolds. Among the signs that reveal a person’s fortune, the eyes speak first: those that are moist and large promise enjoyment in life, while small, raised eyes hint at a shorter span. Fortunate indeed are those whose brows are thick, long, closely joined, and arched like the crescent moon. Yet, attachment to women who are easily accessible deprives a man of sons. Men whose brows resemble the half-moon may find themselves both poor and wealthy in their journey. Raised veins and auspicious marks resembling the svastika are signs of great wealth and lordship. But a covered forehead brings misery, while a raised forehead signals the destiny of a king. Abundant tears and pitiful, harsh weeping, curiously, are said to bring happiness, but frequent, loud laughter is inauspicious and points to many forms of madness. Kingship itself is marked by four special signs, and such a ruler enjoys a lifespan of ninety-five years. If a man’s hair reaches the ends, his years will number eighty. Amongst the features, forty are considered crooked, and thirty are marked by joined brows. The king’s head is shaped like an umbrella, while those with low heads are wealthy. A head shaped like a pot, with an unpleasant appearance, brings deprivation of wealth and other blessings. For kings, the tips of the hair and features remain unbroken, soft, and not excessively numerous. Those whose hair is sparse, extremely twisted, thick, and dark lack prosperity. Each of these features brings its own auspicious result; otherwise, the outcome differs. Among the kingly signs, six features are elevated, four are short, and the seventh is red—these together belong to a king. A man’s forehead, face, and chest should be exceedingly broad, while the thighs, neck, and genital are either elevated or short. The inner corners of the eyes, the feet, the tongue, and the lips—these five should be fine in form. The space between the breasts, the arms, the teeth, the eyes, and the nose are long. For a queen, both feet are smooth and equal, the soles coppery, and the nails likewise. Her ankles are concealed and full, and the soles of her feet are lotus-colored and auspicious. If her feet bear the marks of a thunderbolt, lotus, or plough, she is destined for service; if not, her destiny differs. Her joints are not prominent, both knees are equal and auspicious. Her genital is excellent, broad, and shaped like the leaf of the sacred fig tree. The jewel is concealed and brings auspiciousness, and her hips are heavy and auspicious. Her navel turns to the right, and her waist is adorned with three graceful folds. Her thighs are firm and hairy—praised indeed—while her neck is soft and shaped like a conch shell. Her teeth are like jasmine flowers and her speech as sweet as the song of the cuckoo. An even, well-formed nose is charming and auspicious for women. Her eyebrows, like the crescent moon, and her forehead should not be broad. Her ears are well-fleshed, equal, soft, and well-set. For women, a head that is even is best, as are the soles of the feet and the palms. Auspicious marks such as banners, yak-tail whisks, garlands, mountain-shaped earrings, and altars may appear. Women who possess marks like the goad and others become beloved of kings. The palm should not be sunken or raised, and a line that rises from the wrist and reaches the middle finger is auspicious. If the line reaches the palm or is found on the sole of the raised foot, it carries meaning; a line arising from the base of the little finger bestows long life, while lines at the base of the thumb indicate a short or diminished lifespan. Thus, O seeker, are revealed the signs by which destiny is read and the auspiciousness of life discerned.