Shloka 47

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

Devanagari script

सर्वाणि विलिखेद्वज्रं तच्च तैर्न विलिख्यते / गुरुता सर्वरत्नानां गौरवाधारकारणम्

Transliteration

sarvāṇi vilikhedvajraṃ tacca tairna vilikhyate / gurutā sarvaratnānāṃ gauravādhārakāraṇam

Translation

The diamond scratches all things, yet is not scratched by them. In the same way, the intrinsic gravity of all precious gems is the very cause that upholds their worth and honor.

Word by Word

• सर्वाणि: all (things)
• सर्वाणि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Case 1/2), बहुवचन; सर्व-शब्दः (सर्वाणि = ‘all things’)

• विलिखेत्: would scratch/engrave
• विलिखेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि√लिख् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• वज्रम्: diamond/vajra
• वज्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वज्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Case 2), एकवचन

• तत्: that (vajra)
• तत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Case 1), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• तैः: by them
• तैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Case 3), बहुवचन

• न: not
• न: Pratishedha (Negation/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation particle)

• विलिख्यते: is scratched/engraved
• विलिख्यते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि√लिख् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive)

• गुरुता: heaviness/weight
• गुरुता: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरुत्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Case 1), एकवचन

• सर्वरत्नानाम्: of all gems
• सर्वरत्नानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + रत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Case 6), बहुवचन

• गौरवाधारकारणम्: cause/basis of heaviness
• गौरवाधारकारणम्: Prayojaka/Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गौरव + आधार + कारण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (गौरवस्य आधारः कारणं वा); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Case 1/2), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Intrinsic qualities (svabhāva) determine true value; what is supremely firm affects others yet remains unaffected.

Vedantic Theme: Satya/niṣṭhā (steadfastness) and svabhāva; the ‘unaffected witness’ metaphor can be inferred though the verse is primarily material-lapidary.

Application: Cultivate steadiness and integrity: be influential through firmness of character without being easily ‘scratched’ by external pressures.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.68 (Ratna-parīkṣā / vajra-guṇa context)

Characters & Entities

• Vajra (diamond)

FAQs

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

It illustrates inner invincibility: true excellence can affect the world (like a diamond scratching) yet remains unshaken by external forces.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it emphasizes cultivating stable inner virtues—steadfastness and intrinsic worth—which support one’s spiritual progress beyond changing external conditions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Build “gurutā” through integrity, discipline, and steadiness; let your character create value and respect rather than seeking validation from others.