Shloka 20

The Examination of Pearls and Padmarāga (Ruby): Origins, Marks, Defects, and Valuation

Devanagari script

कामं चारुतराः पञ्च जातीना प्रतिरूपकाः / विजा तयः प्रयत्नेन विद्वांस्तनुपलक्षयेत्

Transliteration

kāmaṃ cārutarāḥ pañca jātīnā pratirūpakāḥ / vijā tayaḥ prayatnena vidvāṃstanupalakṣayet

Translation

Even if there are five very pleasing look-alikes of the true classes, a learned person should, with careful effort, discern the mismatched (spurious) ones by their subtle marks.

Word by Word

• कामम्: indeed/to be sure
• कामम्: Nipāta (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कामम् (अव्यय/नपुंसक-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययप्रयोग; अनुमत्यर्थक/स्वीकारार्थक (concessive particle: “indeed/if you like”)

• चारु-तराः: more beautiful
• चारु-तराः: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चारु (प्रातिपदिक) + तर (तद्धित/तुलनाप्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तुलनात्मक (comparative)

• पञ्च: five
• पञ्च: Visheshana (Numeral)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्च (संख्यावाचक)
• Form: संख्यावाचक; अव्ययवत्/अविकारी; (qualifies implied plural)

• जातीना: of kinds/species
• जातीना: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जाति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; षष्ठी, बहुवचन (पाठे ‘जातीना’ = ‘जातीनाṃ’ लोप/अनुस्वार-भेद)

• प्रतिरूपकाः: counterfeits/look-alikes
• प्रतिरूपकाः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रति (उपसर्ग) + रूपक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, बहुवचन; (विशेष्यः: मणयः)

• विजातयः: spurious kinds
• विजातयः: Karta (Apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वि (उपसर्ग) + जाति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• प्रयत्नेन: with effort/care
• प्रयत्नेन: Karaṇa (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रयत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया, एकवचन

• विद्वान्: a learned person
• विद्वान्: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्वस् (प्रातिपदिक; √विद्, क्तवत्-प्राय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तनु: subtle
• तनु: Karma (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तनु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (of ‘उपलक्षयेत्’ implied object/means: subtle sign)

• उपलक्षयेत्: should discern/identify
• उपलक्षयेत्: Kriya (Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √लक्ष् (धातु) + उप (उपसर्ग)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative); परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Pratirūpaka-bheda: many pleasing counterfeits exist; only the learned, through effort, detect subtle distinguishing marks (tanu-lakṣaṇa).

Vedantic Theme: Viveka and pramāda-rahitatā (freedom from negligence); appearance (rūpa) can veil truth (tattva).

Application: Rely on trained evaluation (certification, tests, expert inspection) rather than appearance; scrutinize subtle indicators of authenticity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.70.17 (qualities); Garuda Purana 1.70.18 (defects); Garuda Purana 1.70.19 (harm from defective gems)

FAQs

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

This verse emphasizes that outward attractiveness can mask imitation; therefore, a wise person must rely on careful observation of subtle indicators to uphold dharma.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in Garuda Purana?

Indirectly, it supports the Purana’s broader afterlife ethic: correct understanding and right discrimination in life prevent harmful choices that lead to suffering after death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Do not judge by appearances—verify character and principles through consistent, subtle signs (conduct, truthfulness, restraint) before trusting teachings, leaders, or rituals.