Shloka 29

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

Devanagari script

तथा च पद्मरागाणां दोषैर्मूल्यं प्रहीयते / ततो ऽस्याप्यधिका हानिर्देषैर्मरकते भवेत्

Transliteration

tathā ca padmarāgāṇāṃ doṣairmūlyaṃ prahīyate / tato 'syāpyadhikā hānirdeṣairmarakate bhavet

Translation

Likewise, the value of rubies is diminished by their flaws; and because of flaws, an even greater loss of value occurs in the case of emeralds as well.

Word by Word

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: रीत्यर्थक अव्यय — Adverb (thus/likewise)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय — Conjunction

• पद्मरागाणाम्: of rubies
• पद्मरागाणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद्मराग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (पद्म + राग); पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन — Tatpurusha; Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• दोषैः: by faults
• दोषैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन — Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• मूल्यम्: value
• मूल्यम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• प्रहीयते: is reduced/diminishes
• प्रहीयते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-हा (धातु)
• Form: लट्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि प्रयोग — Present indicative, 3rd person, Singular, Ātmanepada; Passive sense (is diminished)

• ततः: therefore/then
• ततः: Sambandha (Discourse link/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: तस्मात्-आर्थक अव्यय — Indeclinable (then/therefore)

• अस्य: of this (emerald)
• अस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी, एकवचन — Pronoun, Genitive, Singular

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अपि-भावक अव्यय — Particle (also/even)

• अधिका: greater
• अधिका: Karta (Subject qualifier/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — Feminine, Nominative, Singular; विशेषण of हानिः

• हानिः: loss/diminution
• हानिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हानि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• दोषैः: by faults
• दोषैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन — Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• मरकते: in an emerald
• मरकते: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मरकत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण), एकवचन — Neuter, Locative, Singular

• भवेत्: would be/should occur
• भवेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद — Optative, 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Defects (dosha) diminish worth; higher expectations amplify the cost of imperfection—standards matter.

Vedantic Theme: Awareness of dosha vs guna; cultivating purity/quality to avoid decline in value and efficacy.

Application: In procurement and personal discipline, identify defects early; invest in quality control and integrity to prevent disproportionate losses.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.71 (dosha-guna taxonomy for gems; valuation rules)

FAQs

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

This verse uses rubies and emeralds to show a general dharmic principle: defects (doṣa) diminish worth, encouraging careful discernment of quality—externally in objects and implicitly in one’s own conduct.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it supports the broader Purāṇic ethic that flaws and impurities reduce excellence; by extension, moral doṣas reduce spiritual merit, which affects one’s post-death trajectory described elsewhere in the Garuḍa Purāṇa.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate quality and reduce “defects”: be truthful in trade/valuation, practice self-audit of habits, and prioritize integrity—small flaws can greatly reduce trust and long-term value.