Shloka 31

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

Devanagari script

सपत्नमध्ये ऽपि कृताधिवासं प्रमादवृत्तावपि वर्तमानम् / न पद्मरागस्य महागुणस्य भर्तारमापत्स्पृशतीह काचित्

Transliteration

sapatnamadhye 'pi kṛtādhivāsaṃ pramādavṛttāvapi vartamānam / na padmarāgasya mahāguṇasya bhartāramāpatspṛśatīha kācit

Translation

Even if he dwells among rivals, and even if he moves in heedless ways, no misfortune touches the one who possesses the great excellence of the padmarāga (ruby).

Word by Word

• सपत्नमध्ये: in the midst of co-wives/rivals
• सपत्नमध्ये: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सपत्न + मध्ये (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सपत्नानां मध्ये)

• अपि: even/also
• अपि: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle), ‘even/also’

• कृताधिवासम्: having taken up residence
• कृताधिवासम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत (कृ धातु, क्त) + अधिवास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष (कृतः अधिवासः यस्य)

• प्रमादवृत्तौ: in negligent conduct
• प्रमादवृत्तौ: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रमाद + वृत्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (प्रमादस्य वृत्तिः)

• अपि: even/also
• अपि: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात

• वर्तमानम्: being/remaining
• वर्तमानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर्तमान (वृत् धातु, शतृ/वर्तमान-प्रत्यय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; वर्तमान-कृदन्त (present participle)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Negation/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध (negation)

• पद्मरागस्य: of the ruby (padmarāga)
• पद्मरागस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद्मराग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (पद्म इव रागः)

• महागुणस्य: of great qualities
• महागुणस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महागुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (महान् गुणः यस्य)

• भर्तारम्: the bearer/owner
• भर्तारम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• आपत्: misfortune/calamity
• आपत्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आपद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• स्पृशति: touches
• स्पृशति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्पृश् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• इह: here
• इह: Adhikarana (Locative sense/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इह (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (adverb of place)

• काचित्: any (one)
• काचित्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; अनिश्चित-प्रत्यय ‘चित्’ (indefinite pronoun)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda, contextually within the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Auspicious substances (ratna) are held to confer protective efficacy that neutralizes adversity.

Vedantic Theme: Prarabdha and upadhi: worldly conditions are mitigated through sanctioned means within dharmic life, though ultimate freedom lies beyond material supports.

Application: If following ratna-shastra, wear a properly sourced ruby with reverence and restraint; do not rely on it to justify negligence.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.70 (ratna-lakshana and phala of padmaraga); Garuda Purana 1.70.34 (color/luster as determinants of value and efficacy)

FAQs

What is the importance of padmarāga (ruby) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents padmarāga as a highly auspicious gem whose “great excellence” is said to shield its wearer from misfortune, even amid enemies or personal carelessness.

How does this verse relate to protection from suffering described in the Garuda Purana?

Rather than detailing afterlife punishments, it highlights a dharmic, this-worldly protective principle: auspicious substances (like certain gems) are portrayed as mitigating adversity when rightly possessed.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat it as guidance toward cultivating auspicious supports (ethical living first, and traditional aids like gems only with discernment), especially when facing hostility or instability.