Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 14
Chapter 245 — रत्नपरीक्षा
Examination of Gems
वृत्तत्वं शुक्रता स्वाच्छ्यंमहत्त्वं मौक्तिके गुणाः इन्द्रनीलं शुभं क्षीरे राजते भ्राजते ऽधिकं
vṛttatvaṃ śukratā svācchyaṃmahattvaṃ mauktike guṇāḥ indranīlaṃ śubhaṃ kṣīre rājate bhrājate 'dhikaṃ
গোলাকৃতি, দীপ্তি, স্বচ্ছতা আৰু বৃহত্ত্ব—এইবোৰ মুক্তাৰ গুণ। শুভ ইন্দ্ৰনীল (নীলমণি) গাখীৰত থ’লে অধিককৈ জ্বলি-জ্বলমল কৰে।
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Quality testing of pearls and sapphires for pricing, selection for ornaments, and auspicious use.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Pearl virtues (guṇa) and sapphire milk-test","lookup_keywords":["mauktika guṇa","vṛttatva","śukratā","svācchya","indranīla kṣīra-parīkṣā"],"quick_summary":"A pearl is judged by roundness, luster, clarity, and size. A good sapphire is auspicious and is tested by its enhanced brilliance when placed in milk."}
Concept: Lakṣaṇa-based evaluation: defining an object by essential qualities and verifying by a simple test (parīkṣā).
Application: Adopt standardized criteria (shape, luster, clarity, size) and a repeatable test (milk) to reduce fraud in gem markets.
Khanda Section: Ratna-pariksha (Gemology / Dhana-vidya)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A jeweler measures pearl roundness and size, then places a sapphire into a bowl of milk where it gleams more brightly.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, interior workshop with brass bowl of milk, deep blue indranīla glowing, pearl strings on a wooden tray, artisan in traditional attire, strong outlines and saturated colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, close-up of sapphire in milk with radiant halo rendered in gold leaf, pearls with embossed highlights, ornate jewelry motifs, rich maroon background.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, step-by-step instructional scene: (1) pearl guṇa checklist icons (round, lustrous, clear, large), (2) milk-test for sapphire, fine linework and gentle gradients.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meticulous still-life of pearls and a sapphire beside a porcelain bowl of milk, jeweler observing reflections, realistic light and texture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्वाच्छ्यंमहत्त्वं = स्वाच्छ्यम् + महत्त्वम्; भ्राजते ऽधिकं = भ्राजते + अधिकम् (अवग्रहः)
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ratna-parīkṣā: valuation principles (245.15)
FAQs
It gives ratna-parīkṣā (gem-testing) criteria: a pearl is valued for roundness, luster, clarity, and size; and a sapphire’s quality is indicated by its enhanced shining when placed in milk.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical knowledge of material evaluation (gemology and auspicious commodities), showing the Agni Purana’s wide coverage of arts, commerce, and applied lakṣaṇa-science.
By identifying ‘śubha’ (auspicious) gems and their marks, the verse supports choosing substances believed to enhance prosperity and ritual suitability, aligning material selection with dharmic well-being.