Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 10
Chapter 245 — रत्नपरीक्षा
Examination of Gems
शुकपक्षनिभः स्निग्धः कान्तिमान्विमलस् तथा स्वर्णचूर्णनिभैः सूक्ष्मैर् मरकतश् च विन्दुभिः
śukapakṣanibhaḥ snigdhaḥ kāntimānvimalas tathā svarṇacūrṇanibhaiḥ sūkṣmair marakataś ca vindubhiḥ
ينبغي أن يشبه جناح الببغاء، أملسَ لامعًا، ذا بهاءٍ وخالياً من العيب؛ وأن تكون فيه نُقَط دقيقة كغبار الذهب، مع نقاطٍ تشبه الزمرد.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) speaking to sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Visual criteria for identifying a high-quality gemstone (likely emerald/related ratna) by color-likeness, gloss, blemishlessness, and characteristic speckling—used in selection and valuation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Ratna-varṇa-bindu Lakṣaṇa (Parrot-wing sheen; gold-dust specks; emerald-like dots)","lookup_keywords":["śukapakṣa-nibha","snigdha","kāntimān","vaimala","marakata-bindu"],"quick_summary":"A superior stone is glossy and lustrous like a parrot’s wing, free from blemish, and shows minute gold-dust-like specks with emerald-like dotting—practical markers for ratna-parīkṣā."}
Alamkara Type: Upama
Concept: Perceptual pramāṇa (direct observation) as the basis of technical knowledge—judging by color, sheen, and minute signs.
Application: Train the eye to recognize quality markers before purchase, setting, or ritual wearing.
Khanda Section: Ratna-pariksha (Gemology) / Shilpa-shastra (Material science within Puranic encyclopedic topics)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Close inspection of a green, glossy gemstone: parrot-wing sheen, tiny gold-dust specks, and emerald-like dotted pattern under light.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, enlarged stylized gemstone with parrot-wing green gradients, dotted bindu pattern, examiner holding it to lamp light, decorative border.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gem rendered with rich green and gold leaf speckling, ornate frame, jeweler’s hands presenting the stone.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, technical close-up with delicate stippling for gold-dust specks and bindu, calm instructional composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic gemstone study on a velvet cloth, fine stippling for inclusions, artisan examining with focused gaze."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kedaragowla","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कान्तिमान्विमलस् = कान्तिमान् + विमलः; सूक्ष्मैर् = सूक्ष्मैः + (रेफादेशः); मरकतश् = मरकतैः + च (विसर्ग/श्चुत्व-सन्धि)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 245 (ratna-varṇa, guṇa/doṣa descriptions)
FAQs
It gives diagnostic visual criteria for an auspicious, high-quality green gemstone (marakata-type): parrot-wing color, glossy surface, clear brilliance, and fine gold-dust-like speckling with small dot-patterns.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana catalogues practical sciences; here it preserves a technical checklist for gem appraisal (ratna-parīkṣā), relevant to trade, ornamentation, and royal/temple valuables.
In the Purāṇic worldview, correctly identifying and using auspicious, blemish-free gems supports purity and auspiciousness in royal and ritual contexts, helping avoid inauspicious defects associated with flawed materials.