Shloka 14

Ratna-parīkṣā: Vajra (Diamond/Thunderbolt) — Origin, Types, Testing, Defects, Weights, and Royal Auspiciousness

Devanagari script

शास्त्रज्ञः कुशलाश्चापि रत्नभाजः परीक्षकाः / त एव मूल्यमात्राया वेत्तारः परिकीर्तिताः

Transliteration

śāstrajñaḥ kuśalāścāpi ratnabhājaḥ parīkṣakāḥ / ta eva mūlyamātrāyā vettāraḥ parikīrtitāḥ

Translation

Those who know the treatises (śāstra), who are skilled, and who examine and appraise gems—only they are said to be the true knowers of correct valuation.

Word by Word

• शास्त्रज्ञः: scripture-knowers/experts
• शास्त्रज्ञः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शास्त्र + ज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन (समूहवाचक/सामान्यवचन); समासः तत्पुरुषः (शास्त्रं जानाति)

• कुशलाः: skilled
• कुशलाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुशल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; विशेषणम्

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

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय (also)

• रत्नभाजः: gem-dealers/handlers of gems
• रत्नभाजः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रत्न + भाज् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (रत्नानि भजन्ते/भाजः = रत्नव्यवहारिणः/रत्नविशेषज्ञाः)

• परीक्षकाः: examiners
• परीक्षकाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परीक्षक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक अव्यय (indeed/only)

• मूल्यमात्रायाः: of the measure of value (valuation)
• मूल्यमात्रायाः: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूल्य + मात्रा (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (मूल्यस्य मात्रा)

• वेत्तारः: knowers
• वेत्तारः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: √विद् (धातु) → वेत्तृ (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; कर्तरि तृन्-प्रत्यय (knower)

• परिकीर्तिताः: are declared/are said
• परिकीर्तिताः: Kriya (Predicative/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परि√कीर्त् (धातु) → परिकीर्तित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त); विधेय-विशेषणम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: True valuation of gems belongs to those who know the śāstra and possess practical skill as examiners/appraisers.

Vedantic Theme: Pramāṇa and adhikāra: right knowledge requires qualified knowers; discernment (viveka) depends on training and purity of method.

Application: Rely on credentialed experts for high-stakes assessments; combine textual standards with hands-on competence; avoid uninformed judgment.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: workshop/court (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.68.13 (tested pure gems); Garuda Purana 1.68.15 (examination precedes description)

FAQs

What is the importance of qualified expertise in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that true assessment depends on śāstra-knowledge and skill—only trained examiners can reliably determine worth, implying that dharmic matters too require qualified authority.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s teachings on dharma and right understanding?

By using the analogy of gem appraisal, it highlights discernment: correct judgment comes from scriptural grounding and competence, not from opinion or hearsay.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Rely on competent, well-trained sources for spiritual guidance and ritual matters; verify claims through śāstra and credible teachers rather than popularity.