Shloka 8

Vaidūrya (Cat’s-eye) Examination: Origin, Auspicious Marks, Imitations, and Valuation Measures

Devanagari script

गुणवान्वैदूर्यमणिर्योजयति स्वामिनं परंभा (भो) ग्यैः / दोषैर्युक्तो दोषैस्तस्माद्यत्नात्परीक्षेत

Transliteration

guṇavānvaidūryamaṇiryojayati svāminaṃ paraṃbhā (bho) gyaiḥ / doṣairyukto doṣaistasmādyatnātparīkṣeta

Translation

Ein tugendhafter Vaidūrya (Katzenauge) verbindet seinen Besitzer mit den höchsten Genüssen; ist er jedoch mit Mängeln behaftet, bringt er nur Mängel. Darum soll man ihn mit Sorgfalt und Mühe prüfen.

Word by Word

• गुणवान्: possessing qualities
• गुणवान्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुणवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (वैदूर्यमणिः)

• वैदूर्य-मणिः: the cat’s-eye gem
• वैदूर्य-मणिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैदूर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + मणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचनम्; ‘वैदूर्यरूपः मणिः’ इत्यर्थे तत्पुरुष/कर्मधारय-समाससन्निभः

• योजयति: joins/associates
• योजयति: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √युज् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd), एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• स्वामिनम्: the owner/master
• स्वामिनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वामिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचनम्

• परम्: supreme/excellent
• परम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (स्वामिनम्)

• भोग्यैः: with enjoyments/benefits
• भोग्यैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भोग्य (प्रातिपदिक; √भुज् धातोः यत्-प्रत्यय कृदन्त ‘enjoyable’)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे/पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचनम्; करणम्; पाठभेदः: भोग्यैः (bho-gyaiḥ)

• दोषैः: with faults
• दोषैः: Karana (Association/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचनम्; सहार्थे (with)

• युक्तः: endowed/connected
• युक्तः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √युज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्यय कृदन्त (past participle), पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (वैदूर्यमणिः)

• दोषैः: with faults
• दोषैः: Karana (Association/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचनम्; सहार्थे (with)

• तस्मात्: therefore
• तस्मात्: Sambandha (Conclusion marker/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-प्रायः निपातार्थः: ‘अतः/therefore’ (originally ablative used adverbially)

• यत्नात्: with effort/carefully
• यत्नात्: Karana (Means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचनम्; अव्ययीभावार्थे ‘यत्नेन’ (with effort) इत्यर्थे

• परीक्षेत: should examine/test
• परीक्षेत: Kriya (Injunctive/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि + √ईक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd), एकवचनम्; आत्मनेपदम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra, general didactic tone)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Guṇa-doṣa doctrine applied to objects: right qualities yield prosperity; defects yield harm; therefore, practice careful examination (parīkṣā).

Vedantic Theme: Karma-like causality in the domain of choices: outcomes follow qualities and discernment; viveka as protective wisdom.

Application: Due diligence: test and verify before adopting powerful tools, investments, or ‘remedies’; prefer quality and authenticity; avoid impulsive acquisition.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.73 (doṣa-guṇa and parīkṣā injunction for vaidūrya)

FAQs

What is the importance of careful examination (parīkṣā) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches that even something considered auspicious can yield harm if defective, so discernment and testing are essential before accepting or relying on it.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader spiritual message?

It reinforces a recurring theme: results follow qualities (guṇa) and defects (doṣa), so one must evaluate causes carefully to avoid negative outcomes—materially and ethically.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Verify what you adopt—objects, advice, practices, or commitments—because defects in the source can produce harmful consequences despite an auspicious appearance.