Shloka 36

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

Devanagari script

यत्तण्डुलैर्द्वादशभिः कृतस्य वज्रस्य मूल्यं प्रथमं प्रदिष्टम् / द्वाभ्यां क्रमाद्वानिमुपागतस्य त्वेकावमानस्य विनिश्चयो ऽयम्

Transliteration

yattaṇḍulairdvādaśabhiḥ kṛtasya vajrasya mūlyaṃ prathamaṃ pradiṣṭam / dvābhyāṃ kramādvānimupāgatasya tvekāvamānasya viniścayo 'yam

Translation

The value of the unit called ‘vajra’ was first stated as the value of a vajra constituted from twelve grains of rice; thereafter, by successive steps, the recognized measure is fixed—this is the determination of the standard for a single unit of valuation.

Word by Word

• यत्: that which
• यत्: Sambandha (Relative/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक (यत् ... तस्य)

• तण्डुलैः: with rice-grains
• तण्डुलैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तण्डुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• द्वादशभिः: by twelve
• द्वादशभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वादश (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; द्विगु-समास (12); विशेषणम् (तण्डुलैः)

• कृतस्य: of the made/formed
• कृतस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (वज्रस्य)

• वज्रस्य: of the diamond
• वज्रस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वज्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• मूल्यम्: value/price
• मूल्यम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• प्रथमम्: first/initial
• प्रथमम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रथम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (मूल्यम्)

• प्रदिष्टम्: is prescribed/stated
• प्रदिष्टम्: Kriya (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र-दि-श् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे ‘निर्दिष्टम्’

• द्वाभ्याम्: by two (units)
• द्वाभ्याम्: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, द्विवचन; परिमाण/करण

• क्रमात्: successively/in order
• क्रमात्: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पञ्चमी-एकवचनरूपेण अव्ययीभूतम्; अव्यय (adverb: gradually/in order)

• वाणिम्: increase (increment)
• वाणिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; (वृद्धि/वृद्धिम् इत्यर्थे)

• उपागतस्य: of that which has been reached/obtained
• उपागतस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उप-आ-गम् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (अवमानस्य)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/विशेषार्थक-अव्यय (but/indeed)

• एक: one
• एक: Sambandha (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासाङ्ग

• अवमानस्य: of one grade of reduction/diminution
• अवमानस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अवमान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (एक-अवमानस्य = एकेन अवमानेन/एकस्य अवमानस्य)

• विनिश्चयः: determination/decision
• विनिश्चयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विनिश्चय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अयम्: this
• अयम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue, instructing Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Establishing a baseline unit (māna) and deriving subsequent measures by orderly progression to fix valuation standards.

Vedantic Theme: Pramāṇa and vyavahāra-satya (conventional truth) maintained through agreed standards.

Application: Define a clear baseline unit; document conversion steps; ensure repeatability in measurement and pricing.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.68 (māna-nirṇaya for vajra/ratna valuation)

FAQs

What is the importance of defining measures (like rice-grain standards) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes a fixed, verifiable standard for valuation, supporting accurate ritual requirements and fair dharmic practice.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana’s broader teachings?

By grounding religious and social duties in precise standards, the text links dharma to correctness in offerings, transactions, and prescribed procedures.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use clear, consistent standards—especially in religious giving, charity, and ethical dealings—so actions remain transparent and fair.