Shloka 45

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

Devanagari script

प्रतिरूपाणि कुर्वन्ति वज्रस्य कुशला जनाः / परीक्षा तेषु कर्तव्या विद्वद्भिः सुपरीक्षकैः

Transliteration

pratirūpāṇi kurvanti vajrasya kuśalā janāḥ / parīkṣā teṣu kartavyā vidvadbhiḥ suparīkṣakaiḥ

Translation

Skilled people can even make imitations of a diamond; therefore those gems should be examined by learned experts—thorough and discerning testers.

Word by Word

• प्रतिरूपाणि: imitations, replicas
• प्रतिरूपाणि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रति (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; ‘रूपस्य प्रतिरूपम्’ (imitation)

• कुर्वन्ति: make
• कुर्वन्ति: Kriyā (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपदम्

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

• कुशलाः: skilled
• कुशलाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुशल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘जनाः’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• जनाः: people
• जनाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• परीक्षा: examination, testing
• परीक्षा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परीक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तेषु: among them, in those
• तेषु: Adhikaraṇa (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), बहुवचन

• कर्तव्या: to be done, must be performed
• कर्तव्या: Kriyā (Obligation predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु) → कर्तव्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: भाव्य/कर्तव्यतार्थक कृदन्त (तव्यत्/gerundive), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘परीक्षा’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• विद्वद्भिः: by the learned
• विद्वद्भिः: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्वस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• सुपरीक्षकैः: by excellent testers
• सुपरीक्षकैः: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग) + परीक्षक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; ‘सु-परीक्षक’ = उत्तमः परीक्षकः (excellent examiner)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Because imitation is possible, one must rely on qualified examiners; discernment is a moral and practical duty.

Vedantic Theme: Viveka and pramāṇa: right knowledge requires proper means and competent knowers; avoid bhrānti (error).

Application: Use trusted experts, standards, and tests before accepting claims of authenticity (in gems, credentials, information).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: market/workshop (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.68.46 (specific testing methods)

FAQs

What is the importance of discernment (parīkṣā) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches that appearances can be deceptive—just as diamonds can be imitated—so one should verify claims carefully through learned, competent examiners.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on dharma and right guidance?

It supports the broader Purana principle that dharma should be approached through proper inquiry and reliable authority, not merely by outward show or persuasive imitation.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Before accepting spiritual advice, rituals, or “guaranteed” results, consult qualified teachers and test teachings by consistency with śāstra, reasoned inquiry, and ethical outcomes.