Shloka 38

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

Devanagari script

यत्तु सर्वगुणैर्युक्तं वज्रं तरति वारिणि / रत्नवर्गे समस्ते ऽपि तस्य धारणमिष्यते

Transliteration

yattu sarvaguṇairyuktaṃ vajraṃ tarati vāriṇi / ratnavarge samaste 'pi tasya dhāraṇamiṣyate

Translation

But the vajra (diamond), endowed with all auspicious qualities, is said to float upon water; therefore, among the entire class of gems, wearing it is considered commendable.

Word by Word

• yat: that which
• yat: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक-सर्वनाम (relative pronoun)

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

• sarva-guṇaiḥ: with all qualities
• sarva-guṇaiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + guṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (सर्वे गुणाः)

• yuktam: endowed (with)
• yuktam: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √yuj (युज् धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (endowed/connected)

• vajram: diamond
• vajram: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vajra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन (nominative singular)

• tarati: floats/crosses
• tarati: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √tṝ (तॄ धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• vāriṇi: in water
• vāriṇi: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāri (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन (locative singular)

• ratna-varge: in the class/category of gems
• ratna-varge: Adhikarana (Domain/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratna (प्रातिपदिक) + varga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (रत्नानां वर्गः)

• samaste: entire/complete
• samaste: Adhikarana (Qualifier/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: samasta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (agreeing with ratna-varge)

• api: even/also
• api: Sambandha (Emphasis/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अपि-शब्दः (even/also particle)

• tasya: of it/of that
• tasya: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन (genitive singular)

• dhāraṇam: wearing/holding (as ornament)
• dhāraṇam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• iṣyate: is considered/approved
• iṣyate: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √iṣ (इष् धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगसदृशः (is accepted/approved)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Guṇa-yukta (well-qualified) objects are fit for dhāraṇa (wearing); excellence is verified by lakṣaṇa (signs).

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-guṇa preference in chosen supports (upādhis) for auspicious living; discernment (viveka) in selection.

Application: Choose high-quality, verified items for ritual/ornament; test authenticity and auspicious marks before adoption.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.68.36-41 (vajra-lakshana, valuation, defects, use)

Characters & Entities

• Vajra (diamond)
• Ratna (gems)
• Water (vāri)

FAQs

What is the importance of vajra (diamond) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats the diamond as the foremost gem—described as possessing auspicious qualities and therefore recommended for dhāraṇa (wearing) compared to other ratnas.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly describe the soul’s journey or Yama’s realm; rather, it belongs to a practical teaching section on ratnas (gems) and their auspicious use in dharmic life.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use the teaching as a reminder to prioritize discernment and purity in what one adopts for ‘protection’ or auspiciousness—choosing ethically sourced, authentic items and avoiding superstition-driven harm.