Shloka 10

Vaidūrya (Cat’s-eye) Examination: Origin, Auspicious Marks, Imitations, and Valuation Measures

Devanagari script

लिख्याभावात्काचं लघुभावाच्छैसुपालकं विद्यात् / गिरिकाचसदीप्तित्वात्स्फटिकं वर्णोज्ज्वलत्वेन

Transliteration

likhyābhāvātkācaṃ laghubhāvācchaisupālakaṃ vidyāt / girikācasadīptitvātsphaṭikaṃ varṇojjvalatvena

Translation

Know it as glass because it does not take a scratch; know it as a light imitation gem because of its lightness. Yet know it as crystal (sphaṭika) because it gleams like mountain-glass and by the radiance of its color.

Word by Word

• लिख्याभावात्: due to absence of scratchability/marking
• लिख्याभावात्: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लिख्य + अभाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; हेत्वर्थे पञ्चमी; तत्पुरुषसमासः (लिख्यस्य अभावः)

• काचम्: glass
• काचम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• लघुभावात्: due to lightness
• लघुभावात्: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लघु + भाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; हेत्वर्थे पञ्चमी; तत्पुरुषसमासः (लघोः भावः)

• शैसुपालकम्: śaiśupālaka (a glass variety)
• शैसुपालकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिशुपालक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• विद्यात्: one should know/identify
• विद्यात्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √विद् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• गिरिकाचसदीप्तित्वात्: due to having the brightness of mountain-glass
• गिरिकाचसदीप्तित्वात्: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गिरिकाच + सदीप्ति + त्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; हेत्वर्थे पञ्चमी; तत्पुरुषसमासः (गिरिकाचस्य सदीप्तित्वम्)

• स्फटिकम्: crystal
• स्फटिकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्फटिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• वर्णोज्ज्वलत्वेन: by (its) color-brightness
• वर्णोज्ज्वलत्वेन: Karana (Instrument/Means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ण + उज्ज्वल + त्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; करण/लक्षणार्थे तृतीया; तत्पुरुषसमासः (वर्णस्य उज्ज्वलत्वम्)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Pramāṇa by lakṣaṇa: knowledge through tests and observable marks rather than mere appearance.

Vedantic Theme: Yathārtha-jñāna via pratyakṣa/anumāna; disciplined inquiry (vicāra).

Application: Use repeatable tests (scratch test, heft/weight, luster) to distinguish substances; prefer method over assumption.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.73 (tests for distinguishing vaidurya and substitutes)

FAQs

What is the importance of identifying sphaṭika (crystal) in Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes discernment between true crystal and look-alikes, supporting purity and correctness in dharmic/ritual materials.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly discuss the soul’s journey; it teaches practical discrimination (viveka) in recognizing substances—an aspect of right conduct (ācāra).

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Apply careful verification—don’t rely on appearance alone; assess qualities (e.g., scratch-resistance, weight, luster) before accepting something as genuine.