शस्ता ग्रीवा त्रिरेखांका त्वव्यक्तास्थिः सुसंहता
A good neck is marked by three lines, with indistinct bones, and well-joined.
स्थूलग्रीवा च विधवा वक्रग्रीवा च किंकरी 4.1.37.
A thick-necked widow, or a servant with a crooked neck.
चिबुकंद्वयंगुलं शस्तं वृत्तं पीनं सुकोमलम्
A chin two fingers wide is good—rounded, full, and very soft.
हनुश्चिबुकसंलग्ना निर्लोमा सुघनाशुभा
The jaw joined to the chin, hairless, dense, and inauspicious.
शस्तौ कपोलौ वामाक्ष्याः पीनौ वृत्तौ समुन्नतौ
The cheeks of a beautiful woman are good—full, rounded, and prominent.
समं समांसं सुस्निग्धं स्वामोदं वर्तुलं मुखम्
The face is even, well-fleshed, very smooth, fragrant, and round.
पाटलो वर्तुलः स्निग्धो लेखाभूषितमध्यभूः
Reddish, round, smooth, and with a central line as an ornament.
कृशः प्रलंबः स्फुटितो रूक्षो दौर्भाग्यसूचकः
Thin, hanging, cracked, and rough—these indicate misfortune.
मसृणो मत्तकाशिन्याश्चोत्तरोष्ठः सुभोगदः
The upper lip of a woman shining and intoxicated is smooth and brings enjoyment.
गोक्षीरसन्निभाः स्निग्धा द्वात्रिंशद्दशनाः शुभाः
Her thirty-two teeth are auspicious, smooth, and like cow's milk.
पीताः श्यावाश्च दशनाः स्थूलादीर्घाद्विपंक्तयः
Yellow or dark teeth, thick, long, and uneven in rows.
अधस्तादधिकैर्दंतैर्मातरं भक्षयेत्स्फुटम् 4.1.37.
If the lower teeth are more numerous, she will surely devour her mother.
गोक्षीरवर्णविशदे सुस्निग्धे कृष्णपक्ष्मणी 4.1.37.
Clear as cow's milk, very smooth, with black eyelashes.
रोमशेन शिरालेन प्रांशुना रोगिणी मता ।। 4.1.37.
Hairy, veined, tall—such a woman is considered sickly.
कृष्णः स एव भर्तृघ्न्याः पुंश्चल्याश्च प्रकीर्तितः 4.1.37.
Black is said to be the mark of a husband-killer or an adulteress.
सा पतिं हंति वर्षेण यस्या मध्ये कृकाटिकम् 4.1.37.
She kills her husband within a year if there is a mole in the middle.
अतः सुलक्षणा योषा परिणेया विचक्षणैः 4.1.37.
Therefore, a woman of good qualities should be married by the wise.
लक्षणानि मयोक्तानि सुखाय गृहमेधिनाम्
I have described the qualities that bring happiness to householders.
स्कंद उवाच गांधर्वो राक्षसश्चापि पैशाचोऽष्टम उच्यते
Skanda said: The Gandharva, Rakshasa, and Paisacha are called the eighth (types of marriage).
स ब्राह्मो वरमाहूय यत्र कन्या स्वलंकृता
The Brahma marriage is where the bride, adorned, is invited with honor.
यज्ञस्थायर्त्विजे दैवस्तज्जःपाति चतुर्दश
The Daiva marriage is performed at the sacrificial altar for the officiating priest.
सहोभौ चरतां धर्ममित्युक्त्वा दीयतेर्थिने
Both together, having declared their adherence to dharma, are given to the seeker.
चत्वार एते विप्राणां धर्म्याः पाणिग्रहाः स्मृताः
These four are remembered as righteous forms of marriage for Brahmins.
प्रसह्यकन्याहरणाद्राक्षसो निंदितः सताम्
The Rakshasa marriage, involving the forcible taking of the bride, is condemned by the virtuous.
प्रायः क्षत्रविशोरुक्ता गांधर्वासुरराक्षसाः
Generally, Gandharva, Asura, and Rakshasa marriages are spoken of among Kshatriyas and Vaishyas.
सवर्णया करो ग्राह्यो धार्यः क्षत्रियया शरः
Marriage should be contracted with one of the same varna; for a Kshatriya, the arrow is to be upheld.
असवर्णस्त्वेष विधिः स्मृतो दृष्टश्च वेदने
But this rule is remembered for those not of the same varna, and is seen in practice.
धर्म्यैर्विवाहैर्जायंते धर्म्या एव शतायुषः 4.1.38.
From righteous marriages are born those who live a hundred years, righteous themselves.
ऋतुकालाभिगमनं धर्मोयं गृहिणः परः
Approaching one's wife at the proper time is the highest dharma for a householder.
दिवाभिगमनं पुंसामनायुष्यं परं मतम्
Approaching women during the day is considered by the wise as detrimental to longevity.