Shloka 41

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

Devanagari script

स्पष्टदोषमलङ्कारे वज्रं यद्यपि दृश्यते / रत्नानां परिकर्मार्थं मूल्यं तस्य भवेल्लघु

Transliteration

spaṣṭadoṣamalaṅkāre vajraṃ yadyapi dṛśyate / ratnānāṃ parikarmārthaṃ mūlyaṃ tasya bhavellaghu

Translation

Even if a vajra with clear flaws is seen set in an ornament, when it is intended only for polishing other gems, its value becomes small.

Word by Word

• spaṣṭa-doṣam: having an evident defect
• spaṣṭa-doṣam: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: spaṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + doṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (स्पष्टः दोषः यस्य/स्पष्टदोषम्)

• alaṅkāre: in an ornament/decoration
• alaṅkāre: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: alaṅkāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन (locative singular)

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

• yadi: if
• yadi: Sambandha (Condition/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yadi (अव्यय)
• Form: शर्तार्थक-अव्यय (conditional particle)

• api: even/though
• api: Sambandha (Concession/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अपि-शब्दः (even/though)

• dṛśyate: is seen/appears
• dṛśyate: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (दृश् धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगः (is seen)

• ratnānām: of gems
• ratnānām: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन (genitive plural)

• parikarma-artham: for finishing/polishing work
• parikarma-artham: Prayojana (Purpose/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parikarma (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (परिकर्मणः अर्थः)

• mūlyam: value/price
• mūlyam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūlya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

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

• bhavet: would be/should be
• bhavet: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhū (भू धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• laghu: small/low
• laghu: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: laghu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (agreeing with mūlyam)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Yogyatā (fitness for purpose): an object’s value depends on intended use; flawed items may still serve instrumental roles.

Vedantic Theme: Upādhi-bheda (contextual designation): worth/meaning shifts with function; non-attachment to mere display.

Application: Repurpose substandard materials for appropriate secondary uses; price according to function, not appearance alone.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.68.41 (parikarma—polishing other gems)

FAQs

What is the importance of this ‘diamond’ analogy in the Garuda Purana?

It teaches discernment: an object (or person/quality) may be inherently precious, yet its worth is diminished when placed in a flawed setting or used merely as a tool for lesser purposes.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader moral teaching?

The Purana frequently uses practical analogies to show that dharma depends on both intrinsic quality and proper context—misuse or association with defects can reduce spiritual and social ‘value’.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Choose worthy contexts for your talents and resources—avoid environments that degrade integrity, and don’t reduce higher capacities to merely servicing trivial aims.