Shloka 14

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

Devanagari script

काचोत्पलकरवीरस्फटिकाद्या इह बुधैः सवैदूर्याः / कथिता विजातय इमे सदृशा मणिनेन्द्रनीलेन

Transliteration

kācotpalakaravīrasphaṭikādyā iha budhaiḥ savaidūryāḥ / kathitā vijātaya ime sadṛśā maṇinendranīlena

Translation

Here the learned describe glass, blue-lotus stone, karavīra-stone, crystal and the like as “pseudo–vaidūrya (cat’s-eye)”—inferior substitutes that merely resemble the supreme gem nīla (sapphire).

Word by Word

• काच-उत्पल-करवीर-स्फटिक-आद्याः: glass, utpala, karavīra, crystal, etc.
• काच-उत्पल-करवीर-स्फटिक-आद्याः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काच (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्पल (प्रातिपदिक) + करवीर (प्रातिपदिक) + स्फटिक (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्वः (काचश्च उत्पलश्च करवीरश्च स्फटिकश्च इत्यादयः)

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

• बुधैः: by the wise (people)
• बुधैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन

• स-वैदूर्याः: (as) including/connected with vaidūrya
• स-वैदूर्याः: Karta (Subject complement/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय/उपसर्गार्थक ‘सह’) + वैदूर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (‘वैदूर्य-सहिताः/वैदूर्य-सम्बद्धाः’)

• कथिताः: are said/declared
• कथिताः: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कथ् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त/PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; ‘कथिताः’ = ‘कथ् + क्त’

• विजातयः: (as) different kinds/heterogeneous types
• विजातयः: Karta (Apposition/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विजाति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• इमे: these
• इमे: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• सदृशाः: similar
• सदृशाः: Karta (Predicate adjective/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सदृश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• मणि-इन्द्रनीलेन: with/by the indranīla gem (sapphire)
• मणि-इन्द्रनीलेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मणि (प्रातिपदिक) + इन्द्रनील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (इन्द्रनीलः मणिः)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra; gem-classification context within the discourse)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Viveka (discrimination): recognize pseudo-gems (vijāti) that resemble vaidūrya; avoid being misled by appearance.

Vedantic Theme: Satya vs. ābhāsa (appearance): the need for discernment; names and forms can deceive without knowledge.

Application: Verify gem identity through learned assessment; avoid substitutes sold as vaidūrya; document provenance and tests.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: gem-market/royal treasury or scholarly setting (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.72 (gem-lore cluster): classification of gems, defects, substitutes (contextual continuity)

FAQs

What is the importance of distinguishing true gems from imitations in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that certain stones only resemble the highest-grade gem; the text cautions against confusing look-alikes with the authentic, emphasizing correct identification and valuation.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not describe the soul’s journey directly; instead, it occurs in a descriptive/classificatory section, using precise categories—typical of the Purana’s instructional style.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Verify authenticity before adopting valued objects or practices—do not mistake outward resemblance for true quality (whether in gemstones, rituals, or ethical conduct).