Shloka 20

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

Devanagari script

भल्लातकी पुत्रिका च तद्वर्णसमयोगतः / मणेर्मरकतस्यैते लक्षणीया विजातयः

Transliteration

bhallātakī putrikā ca tadvarṇasamayogataḥ / maṇermarakatasyaite lakṣaṇīyā vijātayaḥ

Translation

Bhallāṭakī and Putrikā—because their coloration matches it—are to be recognized as inferior look-alike varieties of the emerald gem.

Word by Word

• भल्लातकी: bhallātakī (marking substance/plant product)
• भल्लातकी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भल्लातकी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• पुत्रिका: putrikā (imitation gem/glass)
• पुत्रिका: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्रिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• तद्: of that
• तद्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; वर्णस्य इति सम्बन्धे—‘of that’

• वर्ण: color
• वर्ण: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषे पूर्वपद-भावः (वर्ण-समयोगतः)

• समयोगतः: due to the combination/association
• समयोगतः: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम्-युज् (धातु) + क्त/तस्? → समयोगतस् (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त), हेत्वर्थे—‘due to/owing to association’

• मणेः: of the gem
• मणेः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• मरकतस्य: of the emerald
• मरकतस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मरकत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• एते: these
• एते: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विजातयः इति विशेष्यस्य

• लक्षणीयाः: to be identified
• लक्षणीयाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लक्ष् (धातु) + अनीयर् → लक्षणीय (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; अनीयर्-प्रत्ययान्त—‘to be recognized/marked’

• विजातयः: spurious varieties, different species
• विजातयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विजाति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘different kinds/false varieties’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Correct recognition (pratyabhijñā/pariśīlana) distinguishes true value from deceptive similarity.

Vedantic Theme: Viveka (discrimination) between satya and pratirūpa (semblance).

Application: Learn markers that distinguish authentic from counterfeit in any domain (credentials, data, products).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.71.18-19 (defects and avoidance); Garuda Purana 1.71.21 (testing glass bead)

FAQs

What is the importance of identifying imitation gems in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that emeralds have identifiable marks and that certain look-alike varieties (Bhallāṭakī, Putrikā) can be mistaken for the real gem due to similar color, so discernment is essential.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not address the soul’s journey directly; instead, it belongs to a descriptive section on characteristics (lakṣaṇa) for distinguishing authentic substances from inferior imitations.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Do not judge value by appearance alone—verify defining characteristics before relying on an object (or claim), especially in purchases, ritual items, or remedies where authenticity matters.