Shloka 8

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

Devanagari script

धार्यमाणस्य ये दृष्टा पद्मरागमणेर्गुणाः / धारणादिन्द्रनीलस्य तानेवाप्नोति मानवः

Transliteration

dhāryamāṇasya ye dṛṣṭā padmarāgamaṇerguṇāḥ / dhāraṇādindranīlasya tānevāpnoti mānavaḥ

Translation

One who wears the Padmarāga gem (ruby) attains exactly the qualities seen in that jewel; and by wearing Indranīla (blue sapphire), a human being likewise gains those very qualities.

Word by Word

• धार्यमाणस्य: of (one) being worn
• धार्यमाणस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धार्यमाण (कृदन्त; √धृ धातु)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular), पुल्लिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग-सम्भाव्य; वर्तमानकाले कर्मणि-प्रयोगे शानच्-प्रत्ययान्तः (present passive participle: 'being worn/held')

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

• दृष्टाः: seen/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)

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

• गुणाः: qualities
• गुणाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine)

• धारणात्: from wearing
• धारणात्: Apadana (Source/अपाादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धारण (प्रातिपदिक; √धृ धातु, भाव/क्रिया-नाम)
• Form: पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter)

• इन्द्रनीलस्य: of sapphire
• इन्द्रनीलस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्रनील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine)

• तान्: those
• तान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine)

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

• आप्नोति: attains
• आप्नोति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √आप् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• मानवः: a man/person
• मानवः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मानव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (speaking to Garuḍa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Upāya through material supports: wearing specific gems is said to confer corresponding guṇas (beneficial effects) upon the wearer.

Vedantic Theme: Guṇa-saṅga and upādhi: association with a medium is taught to shape experience and disposition (pratīka/upāya rather than ultimate Brahman-knowledge).

Application: If one follows gem-lore, select and wear an appropriate, properly vetted ruby or sapphire with intention for the desired qualities; avoid superstition by pairing with ethical conduct and devotion.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.72 (gem-lore section: padmarāga/indranīla qualities and tests)

Characters & Entities

• Garuḍa
• Viṣṇu
• Padmarāga (ruby)
• Indranīla (sapphire)

FAQs

What is the importance of gemstones (ratna) in the Garuḍa Purāṇa?

This verse states that wearing specific gems is believed to confer the same observable qualities attributed to those gems, presenting gemstones as a traditional means for cultivating auspicious influences.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in Garuḍa Purāṇa?

Here the focus is not the post-death journey but dharmic living aids; it frames gemstones as supportive influences that can shape one’s qualities during life, which in Purāṇic thought indirectly supports one’s overall conduct (dharma).

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If one follows this tradition, choose gemstones thoughtfully and ethically (authenticity, suitability, and intent), treating them as aids to self-discipline and auspicious living rather than substitutes for right action.