Shloka 12

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

Devanagari script

जात्यस्य सर्वे ऽपि मणेस्तु यादृग्विजातयः सन्ति समानवर्णाः / तथापि नानाकरणानुमेयभेदप्रकारः परमः प्रदिष्टः

Transliteration

jātyasya sarve 'pi maṇestu yādṛgvijātayaḥ santi samānavarṇāḥ / tathāpi nānākaraṇānumeyabhedaprakāraḥ paramaḥ pradiṣṭaḥ

Translation

All varieties within a gem’s own species may appear of the same color; even so, the highest teaching declares that their differences are many—discernible by their distinct causes and by the distinguishing marks inferred from them.

Word by Word

जात्यस्यof the genuine kind/species

सर्वेall

अपिeven/also

मणेःof the gem

तुbut

यादृक्of whatever kind

विजातयःnon-genuine varieties

सन्तिare

समानवर्णाःof the same color

तथापिnevertheless

नानाकरणानुमेयभेदप्रकारःthe type of difference inferable by various tests

परमःsupreme/most important

प्रदिष्टःis stated/declared

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (teaching Garuḍa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sameness of color does not imply sameness of kind; differences are inferred from causes and distinguishing marks.

Vedantic Theme: Nāma-rūpa can mislead; true differentiation requires insight into kāraṇa (cause) and lakṣaṇa (mark).

Application: In people, objects, and ideas, do not equate surface similarity with identity; investigate origins, processes, and consistent indicators.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.73 (discussion of jāti/vijāti and lakṣaṇa)

FAQs

What is the importance of this ‘gem’ analogy in the Garuda Purana?

It teaches that outward sameness (like color) can hide real distinctions, so one should judge by underlying causes and reliable indicators rather than appearances.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana’s broader instruction on dharma?

It supports careful discernment in dharma: proper decisions depend on understanding subtle differences—recognized through valid signs and reasoning—not merely superficial similarity.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Avoid judging people, actions, or rituals only by outward form; examine motives, causes, and observable outcomes before concluding what is truly beneficial or harmful.