Shloka 10

Indranīla (Blue Sapphire): Source-Myth, Grades, Tests, Substitutes, and Price

Devanagari script

परीक्षाप्रत्ययैर्यैश्च पद्मरागः परीक्ष्यते / त एव प्रत्यया दृष्टा इन्द्रनीलमणेरपि

Transliteration

parīkṣāpratyayairyaiśca padmarāgaḥ parīkṣyate / ta eva pratyayā dṛṣṭā indranīlamaṇerapi

Translation

By whatever tests and criteria a Padmarāga ruby is examined, those very same criteria are likewise applicable for examining an Indranīla sapphire.

Word by Word

• परीक्षाप्रत्ययैः: by the examination-criteria
• परीक्षाप्रत्ययैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परीक्षा + प्रत्यय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (parīkṣāyāḥ pratyayāḥ = tests/criteria of examination)

• यैः: by which
• यैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction)

• पद्मरागः: a ruby
• पद्मरागः: Karma (Object in passive/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद्मराग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine)

• परीक्ष्यते: is examined
• परीक्ष्यते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ईक्ष्/√इक्ष् (धातु) उपसर्ग-पूर्वक: परि+√ईक्ष्
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), आत्मनेपद, कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive: 'is examined')

• ते: those
• ते: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अवधारणार्थक (emphatic)

• प्रत्ययाः: criteria/tests
• प्रत्ययाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रत्यय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine)

• दृष्टाः: are observed
• दृष्टाः: Karta (Predicate adjective/कर्तृसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दृष्ट (कृदन्त; √दृश् धातु)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine); भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle)

• इन्द्रनीलमणेः: of the sapphire-gem
• इन्द्रनीलमणेः: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्रनील + मणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (indranīlasya maṇiḥ)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (Addition)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), समुच्चयार्थ (also)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Epistemic consistency: criteria (pratyaya) used to test one gem can be applied to another analogous gem.

Vedantic Theme: Pramāṇa-vyavasthā: disciplined means of knowledge in vyavahāra; emphasis on parīkṣā (examination) to avoid bhrānti (error).

Application: Use established gem-testing protocols (visual clarity, color, flaws, hardness/other traditional criteria) for sapphire as for ruby; consult competent experts and avoid fraud.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.72.10 (parīkṣā-pratyaya for padmarāga and indranīla)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of examination (parīkṣā) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that reliable criteria (pratyaya) should be applied consistently—valid tests used to judge one case can be applied to another similar case as well.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it teaches methodological clarity: just as gems are verified by known tests, teachings about dharma, karma, and post-death outcomes should be assessed with consistent standards rather than confusion or bias.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use consistent standards when evaluating claims—whether spiritual guidance, ritual instructions, or ethical decisions—so that judgment remains steady and not swayed by appearances.