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.
सा पांसुला प्रजायेत कुलत्रयविनाशिनी
She is born covered in dust, a destroyer of three families.
सा निहत्य पतिं योषा द्वितीयं कुरुते पतिम् 4.1.37.
A woman who kills her husband takes a second husband.
पतिद्वयं निहंत्याद्या द्वितीया च पतित्रयम्
The first kills two husbands; the second kills three husbands.
प्रदेशिनी भवेद्यस्या अंगुष्ठाव्यतिरेकिणी
She is called 'pradeśinī' whose big toe does not exceed the others.
स्निग्धाः समुन्नतास्ताम्रा वृत्ताः पादनखाः शुभाः
Smooth, elevated, coppery, rounded toenails are auspicious.
राज्ञीत्वसूचकं स्त्रीणां पादपृष्ठं समुन्नतम्
An elevated sole of the foot in women indicates royal status.
दरिद्रा मध्यनम्रेण शिरालेन सदाध्वगा
A woman with a depressed middle and veined feet is always a wanderer and poor.
गूढौ गुल्फौ शिवायोक्तावशिरालौ सुवर्तुलौ
Concealed, well-rounded ankles are said to bring auspiciousness.
समपार्ष्णिः शुभा नारी पृथुपार्ष्णिश्च दुर्भगा
A woman with equal heels is auspicious; with broad heels, she is unfortunate.
रोमहीने समे स्निग्धे यज्जंघे क्रमवर्तुले
Legs that are hairless, smooth, and evenly rounded are desirable.