Shloka 27

Marakata (Emerald): Mythic Origin, Anti-Poison Virtue, Qualities, Defects, and Proper Wearing

Devanagari script

दौषैर्हेनं गुणैर्युक्तं काञ्चनप्रतियोजितम् / संग्रामे विचरद्भिश्च धार्यं मरकतं बुधैः

Transliteration

dauṣairhenaṃ guṇairyuktaṃ kāñcanapratiyojitam / saṃgrāme vicaradbhiśca dhāryaṃ marakataṃ budhaiḥ

Translation

Der Weise soll einen Smaragd tragen—makellos, mit guten Eigenschaften begabt und in Gold gefasst—besonders wer sich im Kampfgetümmel bewegt.

Word by Word

• दोषैः: by/with faults
• दोषैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन — Masculine, Instrumental (3rd), Plural

• हेनम्: gold
• हेनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हेम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन — Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• गुणैः: with qualities
• गुणैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन — Masculine, Instrumental (3rd), Plural

• युक्तम्: endowed/combined
• युक्तम्: Karma (Object qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युज् (धातु) → युक्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन — Past passive participle (kta), Neuter, Accusative, Singular; विशेषण of हेमम्

• काञ्चन-प्रतियोजितम्: set/fastened with gold
• काञ्चन-प्रतियोजितम्: Karma (Object qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काञ्चन (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रति-युज् (धातु) → प्रतियोजित (कृदन्त)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन — Tatpurusha; Past passive participle, Neuter, Accusative, Singular; विशेषण of हेमम्

• संग्रामे: in battle
• संग्रामे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संग्राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण), एकवचन — Masculine, Locative (7th), Singular

• विचरद्भिः: by those moving about
• विचरद्भिः: Karana (Agent group/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि-चर् (धातु) → विचरत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन — Present active participle, Masculine, Instrumental, Plural; विशेषण of बुधैः

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय — Conjunction

• धार्यम्: to be worn/should be worn
• धार्यम्: Karma (Predicate qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धृ (धातु) → धार्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: भाव्य/अनर्हकृदन्त (ण्यत्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — Gerundive (to be worn/held), Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular; विधेयविशेषण of मरकतम्

• मरकतम्: emerald
• मरकतम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मरकत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular

• बुधैः: by the wise
• बुधैः: Karana (Agent/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन — Masculine, Instrumental (3rd), Plural

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda, per common Garuda Purana dialogue framing; exact attribution may vary by recension)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Choose auspicious, defect-free objects and proper conduct/tools suited to one’s duty; quality and right preparation matter for efficacy.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-oriented discernment (viveka) in worldly action; right means supporting right ends.

Application: If using gemstones traditionally, select certified, flaw-minimized stones, set appropriately, and align use with one’s responsibilities rather than superstition.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.71 (ratna-pariksha/ratna-mahatmya context); Garuda Purana 1.70–1.73 (gem qualities, defects, and effects—contextual)

FAQs

What is the importance of wearing a flawless emerald (marakata) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that only a defect-free emerald, properly set in gold, is considered fit to be worn—implying that purity/quality is essential for the intended protective or auspicious effect.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana themes like protection and dharmic living?

While not about afterlife rites, it fits the Purana’s practical instruction style: dharmic life includes correct observances, including disciplined use of auspicious supports (like ratnas) with proper standards.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If following traditional gem-practice, choose a verified, defect-free emerald and set it appropriately (traditionally in gold), prioritizing authenticity and quality over mere appearance.