Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 15
Chapter 245 — रत्नपरीक्षा
Examination of Gems
रञ्जयेत् स्वप्रभावेण तममूल्यं विनिर्दिशेत् नीलरक्तन्तु वैदूर्यं श्रेष्ठं हारादिकं भजेत्
rañjayet svaprabhāveṇa tamamūlyaṃ vinirdiśet nīlaraktantu vaidūryaṃ śreṣṭhaṃ hārādikaṃ bhajet
ينبغي تقديرُ قيمةِ الجوهرة بحسب ما تُظهره من لمعانٍ ولونٍ بقوةِ إشراقها الذاتي، وبذلك يُحدَّد ثمنُها. ومن بين أحجار الفيدوريا (vaidūrya، حجر عين القط) تُعَدُّ الأنواعُ الزرقاءُ والمائلةُ إلى الحمرة أرفعَها، وتُستعمل في القلائد وما شابهها من الحُليّ.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s default narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Pricing gems by intrinsic brilliance and selecting best cat’s-eye varieties for specific ornaments like necklaces.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Gem valuation by svaprabha and selection of best vaidūrya for ornaments","lookup_keywords":["svaprabha","mūlya-nirṇaya","vaidūrya","nīla-rakta","hāra"],"quick_summary":"Value is determined by a gem’s own capacity to color and shine (intrinsic brilliance). Among cat’s-eye stones, blue and red varieties are best and suited for necklaces and related jewelry."}
Concept: Svabhāva-parīkṣā: intrinsic property (svaprabha) as the basis of worth; fitness-for-purpose in application (hāra-ādi).
Application: Assess gems under consistent lighting for self-luster and color-play; choose varieties appropriate to ornament type to maximize visual effect and durability.
Khanda Section: Ratna-pariksha (Gemology) / Vastu-artha (Materials and valuation)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A gem appraiser evaluates stones by their self-generated sheen, then selects blue and red cat’s-eye (vaidūrya) to be set into a necklace.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan holding a cat’s-eye stone showing a bright band of light, trays of blue and red vaidūrya, necklace design sketched on palm leaf, bold colors and ornamental borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, jeweled necklace centerpiece with blue and red cat’s-eye stones, heavy gold leaf and embossed work, appraiser presenting the finished hāra to a patron.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical jewelry-making scene: valuation by lamp-light test for svaprabha, then setting blue/red vaidūrya into a hāra, clean lines and instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier of jewelers setting cat’s-eye stones into a necklace, detailed depiction of chatoyancy (moving light band), rich textiles and precise tools."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नीलरक्तन्तु = नीलरक्तम् + तु; स्वप्रभावेण = स्व + प्रभावेण (समास); हारादिकं = हार + आदिकम् (समास)
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ratna-parīkṣā: gem origins and qualities (245.11-245.14)
FAQs
It teaches ratna-parīkṣā (gem-assessment): valuing a gemstone by its intrinsic lustre/colour-play (svaprabhāva) and identifying the superior blue/reddish varieties of vaidūrya (cat’s-eye) for ornament use.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical knowledge on material culture—gem classification, quality grading, and economic valuation—showing the Purana’s coverage of arts, crafts, and applied sciences.
While primarily technical, correct selection and use of auspicious materials (like high-quality gems for adornment/ritual contexts) is traditionally viewed as supporting śubha (beneficial) outcomes by aligning with purity, suitability, and propriety.