Shloka 11
Ratna-parīkṣā: Vajra (Diamond/Thunderbolt) — Origin, Types, Testing, Defects, Weights, and Royal Auspiciousness
आकारवर्णौ प्रथमं गुणदोषौ तत्फलं परीक्षा च / मूल्यं च रत्नकुशलैर्विज्ञेयं सर्वशास्त्राणाम्
ākāravarṇau prathamaṃ guṇadoṣau tatphalaṃ parīkṣā ca / mūlyaṃ ca ratnakuśalairvijñeyaṃ sarvaśāstrāṇām
First, by form and color one should discern merits and defects; then its fruit (value and use), its testing, and also its price—these are to be understood by those skilled in gems, in accordance with all the śāstras.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinatā-putra)
Concept: Pramāṇa-based evaluation: judge by observable marks (ākāra/varṇa), assess guṇa-doṣa, verify by parīkṣā, and determine phala and mūlya—knowledge must be systematic and accountable.
Vedantic Theme: Viveka and pramāṇa in vyavahāra; right knowledge guides right action and prevents harm/deception.
Application: Adopt transparent standards for appraisal (testing, provenance, quality grading); apply the same discipline to evaluating claims—spiritual or material.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana ratna-parīkṣā context: criteria and testing implied across the gem section
FAQs
This verse frames gemstone evaluation as a śāstra-based discipline: form and color reveal initial qualities, but proper testing and valuation by experts is essential before assigning worth.
It gives an ordered method—first observe shape and color, then assess merits and defects, then confirm through testing, and finally determine practical result and market value through trained experts.
Do not rely on appearance alone; seek qualified assessment, verify quality through testing, and price ethically based on proven characteristics and expert knowledge.