Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 3
Chapter 245 — रत्नपरीक्षा
Examination of Gems
कर्केतनं पुष्परागं तथा ज्योतीरसं द्विज स्पटिकं राजपट्टञ्च तथा राजमयं शुभं
karketanaṃ puṣparāgaṃ tathā jyotīrasaṃ dvija spaṭikaṃ rājapaṭṭañca tathā rājamayaṃ śubhaṃ
O Zweimalgeborener, dazu gehören auch: Karketana (roter Edelstein), Puṣparāga (Topas) und ferner Jyotīrasa; ebenso Sphaṭika (Kristall), Rājapaṭṭa und das glückverheißende Rājamaya.
Lord Agni (narrating to a dvija/recipient in the dialogue tradition, commonly Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Extends the treasury/auspicious-substance register with additional gem names used in appraisal and procurement.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Additional ratna/dravya names: karketana, puṣparāga, jyotīrasa, rājapaṭṭa, rājamaya","lookup_keywords":["karketana","puṣparāga","jyotīrasa","rājapaṭṭa","rājamaya"],"quick_summary":"Adds further named precious substances (including topaz-like puṣparāga) and courtly/auspicious dravyas used in gemological classification."}
Concept: Knowledge-by-naming (nāma-jñāna) supports discernment (viveka) in material culture and governance.
Application: Maintain procurement lists and authenticate items by traditional nomenclature and expected appearance.
Khanda Section: Ratna-shastra (Gemology) / Dhana-vidya (Auspicious substances)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A learned brāhmaṇa addressed while rare gems and auspicious stones are presented and named in sequence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, guru addressing a dvija, attendants holding trays with reddish karketana, yellow puṣparāga, luminous jyotīrasa, crystal, and patterned stones; stylized inscriptions","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central tray of gems with gold leaf, each gem in a lotus-petal compartment, dvija and king at sides, ornate jewelry and halos","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic scene with labeled specimens and a palm-leaf list, emphasis on classification and careful depiction of color tones","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, gem merchant presenting unusual stones to a scholar, fine detailing of gem cuts and textures, subdued background with rich textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: rājapaṭṭañca → rājapaṭṭam ca; spaṭika/spaṭikam orthographic variant; dvija is vocative address.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Ratna-parīkṣā (contextual continuation)
FAQs
It transmits ratna-śāstra knowledge by enumerating specific gems/mineral substances regarded as valuable and auspicious, forming part of traditional classification used for selection, appraisal, and auspicious use.
By cataloging gemstones and luminous mineral categories (e.g., spaṭika, puṣparāga), it demonstrates the Agni Purana’s compendium style—preserving practical knowledge streams like gemology alongside ritual, polity, and other sciences.
In Purāṇic framing, identifying and using śubha (auspicious) substances supports prosperity-oriented rites and dhārmic well-being, aligning material choice with auspiciousness and merit.