Shloka 18

Marakata (Emerald): Mythic Origin, Anti-Poison Virtue, Qualities, Defects, and Proper Wearing

Devanagari script

शबलकठोरमलिनं रूक्षं पाषाणकर्करोपेतम् / दिग्धं शिलाजतुना मरकतमेवंविधं विगुणम्

Transliteration

śabalakaṭhoramalinaṃ rūkṣaṃ pāṣāṇakarkaropetam / digdhaṃ śilājatunā marakatamevaṃvidhaṃ viguṇam

Translation

A flawed emerald is one that is mottled, hard and impure, rough, filled with stony grit, and smeared with mineral pitch; an emerald of such a kind is considered defective.

Word by Word

• शबल: mottled, variegated
• शबल: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शबल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम्—(मरकतम्) इत्यस्य

• कठोर: hard
• कठोर: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कठोर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• मलिनम्: dirty, impure
• मलिनम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मलिन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• रूक्षम्: rough, dry
• रूक्षम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रूक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• पाषाणकर्कर: stone-grit, stony roughness
• पाषाणकर्कर: Sambandha (Association/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाषाण-कर्कर (प्रातिपदिक; पाषाण + कर्कर)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण) एकवचन-समासार्थः; उपेतम् इति सह—‘with stone-grit’ (समासपूर्वपद-निर्देश)

• उपेतम्: endowed with, accompanied by
• उपेतम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उप-इ (धातु) + क्त (प्रत्यय) → उपेत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle) — ‘endowed/possessed’

• दिग्धम्: smeared
• दिग्धम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दिह् (धातु) + क्त → दिग्ध (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त—‘smeared/anointed’

• शिलाजतुना: with mineral pitch (śilājatu)
• शिलाजतुना: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिलाजतु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), एकवचन

• मरकतम्: emerald
• मरकतम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मरकत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• एवंविधम्: of such a kind
• एवंविधम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एवं-विध (प्रातिपदिक; एवं + विध)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम्—मरकतम् इत्यस्य

• विगुणम्: defective, without qualities
• विगुणम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विगुण (प्रातिपदिक; वि- + गुण)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम्—‘devoid of good qualities’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śuddhi (purity) and doṣa (defect) determine worth; avoid what is impure/adulterated even if it bears a prestigious name.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva vs. mala (impurity) as a metaphor for clarity vs. obscuration in perception and value.

Application: In purchases and life-choices, screen for 'doṣas' (hidden flaws, contamination, rough conduct); prefer clean provenance and integrity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.71.19-21 (continuation of emerald defects and look-alikes)

FAQs

What is the importance of gemstone purity in the Garuda Purana?

This verse defines specific physical defects that make an emerald inauspicious or unsuitable, reflecting the text’s broader emphasis on purity and proper qualities for dharmic use.

How does this verse connect to Garuda Purana teachings beyond gemstones?

By classifying what counts as 'viguṇa' (defective), it mirrors the Purana’s method of distinguishing proper vs. improper qualities in items and actions used for dharma, rites, and auspicious living.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When using ritual objects (including gemstones), prefer items that are clean, intact, and free from obvious defects—prioritizing clarity, purity, and suitability over mere cost or appearance.