Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 7
Chapter 245 — रत्नपरीक्षा
Examination of Gems
सुवर्णप्रतिबद्धानि रत्नानि श्रीजयादिके अन्तःप्रभत्वं वैमल्यं सुसंस्थानत्वमेव च
suvarṇapratibaddhāni ratnāni śrījayādike antaḥprabhatvaṃ vaimalyaṃ susaṃsthānatvameva ca
সোনায় বাঁধানো—শ্রী, জয় প্রভৃতি—রত্নগুলিতে অন্তঃপ্রভা, নির্মলতা (দোষহীনতা) এবং সুগঠিত আকার থাকা উচিত।
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s technical compendium style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Quality control for gems intended for mounting in gold—criteria for acceptance in jewelry, trade valuation, and auspicious wearing.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Suvarṇa-pratibaddha-ratna Lakṣaṇa (Inner radiance, clarity, good form)","lookup_keywords":["suvarṇa-pratibaddha","ratna-lakṣaṇa","antaḥprabhā","vaimalya","su-saṃsthāna"],"quick_summary":"Gold-set gems (e.g., Śrī, Jaya types) are approved when they show inner radiance, blemishless clarity, and well-formed shape—core acceptance marks for ratna-parīkṣā."}
Concept: Lakṣaṇa-based pramāṇa (criteria) for judging worth and auspicious suitability of objects.
Application: Adopt objective markers (radiance, clarity, proportion) to avoid defective purchases and inauspicious wear.
Khanda Section: Ratna-pariksha (Gemology / Lakshana-shastra within the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic technical sections)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A goldsmith and gem-examiner inspect a gemstone to be set in gold, checking inner glow, clarity, and symmetry before mounting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan-guru holding a gem against light, gold setting tools nearby, stylized radiance lines, traditional borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold leaf emphasizing the gold mount and gem brilliance, jeweler presenting a flawless stone, ornate workshop setting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine brushwork showing gem transparency and symmetrical cut, instructional posture, calm palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene with goldsmith, magnifying lens-like inspection, detailed textures of gold and gemstone, neat composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुसंस्थानत्वमेव = सुसंस्थानत्वम् + एव
Related Themes: Agni Purana 245 (ratna-parīkṣā: guṇa/doṣa, dhāraṇa-vidhi)
FAQs
It gives ratna-parīkṣā (gem-evaluation) criteria for gold-set gems: inner brilliance (antaḥprabhā), blemish-free clarity (vaimalya), and proper symmetry/shape (susaṃsthāna).
By codifying practical standards for assessing precious materials (gemology and craftsmanship), it shows the Agni Purana’s scope beyond theology—preserving technical knowledge used in ornamentation, value assessment, and auspicious selection.
Selecting pure, well-formed, radiant gems for adornment or gifting aligns with auspiciousness (śubha-lakṣaṇa) and is traditionally believed to support prosperity and reduce inauspicious influence associated with flawed or impure objects.