Shloka 18
मुक्ता-उत्पत्ति-भेदाः, मूल्य-मान-निर्णयः, शोधन-परीक्षा-लक्षणानि
Pearl Sources, Valuation, Refinement, and Identification
मूल्यं न वा स्यादिति निश्चयो मे कृत्स्ना मही तस्य मुवर्णपूर्णा / हीनो ऽपियस्तल्लभते कदाचिद्विपाकयोगान्महतः शुभस्य
mūlyaṃ na vā syāditi niścayo me kṛtsnā mahī tasya muvarṇapūrṇā / hīno 'piyastallabhate kadācidvipākayogānmahataḥ śubhasya
I am certain it is beyond price—even if the whole earth were filled with gold, it would not equal it. Yet even a lowly person may sometimes obtain that rare attainment through the ripening of a great store of auspicious karma.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda / Vinata-putra)
Concept: Rare attainments arise from the maturation (vipāka) of accumulated auspicious karma; worth is not reducible to material wealth.
Vedantic Theme: Karma-vipāka and adṛṣṭa; the limitation of artha compared to dharma/puṇya; grace-like fruition through unseen causes.
Application: Invest in long-term virtue (truthfulness, charity, restraint); avoid despair about social status—focus on causes (good actions) rather than immediate outcomes.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: cosmic hyperbole/earthly metaphor
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: karma-vipāka explanations and puṇya accumulation (general)
FAQs
This verse teaches that rare spiritual gains are not bought by wealth; they arise when accumulated auspicious karma (puṇya) matures into its result (vipāka).
It states that even someone considered “hīna” (lowly or lacking status) may obtain the highest, priceless benefit when great merit ripens—emphasizing karma over social standing.
Prioritize ethical living, charity, truthfulness, and devotion over mere accumulation of wealth, because lasting spiritual outcomes come from sustained auspicious actions.