जलौकयोपमीयंते प्रमदा मंदबुद्धिभिः
Women are compared to leeches by those of dull intellect.
जलौका केवलं रक्तमाददाना तपस्विनी
A leech only draws blood, but an ascetic woman—
दक्षा प्रजावती साध्वी प्रियवाक्च वशंवदा
—is skilled, fertile, virtuous, speaks kindly, and is obedient.
गुरोरनुज्ञया स्नात्वा व्रतं वेदं समाप्य च
With the teacher’s permission, after bathing and completing the vow and the Veda—
जने तु रसगोत्राया मातुर्याप्यसपिंडका
In marriage, one should avoid a woman from one’s own clan, or one related through the mother, even if not of the same family.
स्त्रीसंबंधेप्यपस्मारि क्षयि श्वित्रि कुलं त्यजेत् 4.1.36.
In union with a woman, one should avoid those afflicted with epilepsy, consumption, or leprosy, and those from such families.
रोगहीनां भ्रातृमतीं स्वस्मात्किंचिल्लघीयसीम्
She should be free from disease, have brothers, and be slightly younger than oneself.
न पर्वतर्क्षवृक्षाह्वां न नदीसर्पनामिकाम्
Not one named after a mountain, eagle, tree, river, or serpent.
न चातिरिक्तहीनांगीं नातिदीर्घां न वा कृशाम्
One should not marry a girl who is excessively deformed, too tall, or too thin.
मोहात्समुपयच्छेत कुलहीनां न कन्यकाम्
Out of delusion, one should not accept a girl who lacks noble lineage.
लक्षणानि परीक्ष्यादौ ततः कन्यां समुद्वहेत्
First, one should examine her qualities, and then marry the girl.
ब्रह्मचारि समाचार इति ते समुदी रितः
The conduct of a celibate is thus declared to you.
स्कंद उवाच सदा गृही सुखं भुंक्ते स्त्री लक्षणवती यदि
Skanda said: A householder always enjoys happiness if his wife possesses good qualities.
वपुरावर्तगंधाश्चच्छाया सत्वं स्वरो गतिः
Her form, fragrance, shadow, temperament, voice, and movement—
आपादतलमारभ्य यावन्मौलिरुहं क्रमात्
From the soles of the feet up to the hair on the head, step by step—
आदौ पादतलं रेखास्ततोंगुष्ठांगुली नखाः
First, the soles of the feet, then the lines, the toes, the fingers, and the nails—
ऊरू कटी नितंबस्फिग्भगो जघन बस्तिके
The thighs, hips, waist, buttocks, genitals, lower abdomen, and bladder—
रोमाली हृदयं वक्षो वक्षोजद्वयचूचुकम् ।। जत्रुस्कंधां सकक्षादोर्मणिबंध करद्वयम्
The hairline, heart, chest, the two nipples, the neck, shoulders, armpits, armlets, and both arms—
पाणिपृष्ठं पाणितलं रेखांगुष्ठांगुली नखाः
The back of the hand, palm, lines, thumb, fingers, and nails—
कपोलौ वक्त्रमधरोत्तरोष्ठौ द्विजजिह्विकाः
The cheeks, face, lower and upper lips, teeth, and tongue—
पक्ष्म भ्रूकर्णभालानि मौलि सीमंतमौलिजाः
Eyelashes, eyebrows, ears, forehead, crown, parting, and hair on the head—
स्त्रीणां पादतलं स्निग्धं मांसलं मृदुलं समम् 4.1.37.
The soles of women's feet are smooth, fleshy, soft, and even.
रूक्षं विवर्णं परुषं खंडितप्रतिबिंबकम्
If rough, discolored, harsh, or with a broken reflection—
चक्र स्वस्तिक शंखाब्ज ध्वजमीनातपत्रवत्
If marked with a wheel, svastika, conch, lotus, banner, fish, or parasol—
भवेदखंडभोगायोर्द्ध्वामध्यांगुलिसंगता
If the lines are unbroken, joined at the upper or middle fingers—
उन्नतो मांसलोंगुष्ठो वर्तुलोतुलभोगदः
A raised, fleshy thumb, round, resembling a pestle, brings enjoyment.
विधवा विपुलेन स्याद्दीर्घांगुष्ठेन दुर्भगा
A widow is marked by a broad, long big toe; misfortune accompanies her.
दीर्घांगुलीभिः कुलटा कृशाभिरतिनिर्धना
A woman with long toes is wanton; with thin toes, she is exceedingly poor.
चिपिटाभिर्भवेद्दासी विरलाभिर्दरिद्रिणी
With flattened toes, she becomes a servant; with sparse toes, she is impoverished.
हत्वा बहूनपि पतीन्परप्रेष्या तदा भवेत्
Even after killing many husbands, she then becomes subject to another's command.