Shloka 3

Karketana (Karketa) Lakṣaṇa: Origin, Color-Forms, Purity Marks, and Ritual Efficacy

Devanagari script

स्निग्धा विशुद्धाः समरागिणश्च आपीतवर्णा गुरवो विचित्राः / त्रासव्रणव्यालविवर्जिताश्च कर्केतनास्ते परमं पवित्राः

Transliteration

snigdhā viśuddhāḥ samarāgiṇaśca āpītavarṇā guravo vicitrāḥ / trāsavraṇavyālavivarjitāśca karketanāste paramaṃ pavitrāḥ

Translation

Such karketa gems are glossy and pure, evenly colored, yellowish in hue, heavy and beautifully variegated; free from cracks, wounds, and any serpentine blemish—they are regarded as supremely sacred.

Word by Word

• स्निग्धाः: smooth, unctuous
• स्निग्धाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्निग्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• विशुद्धाः: pure
• विशुद्धाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विशुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• सम-रागिणः: of even/consistent color
• सम-रागिणः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम (प्रातिपदिक) + रागिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समासः कर्मधारयः (समः रागः येषाम्)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• आपीत-वर्णाः: having a yellowish hue
• आपीत-वर्णाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आपीत (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समासः कर्मधारयः (आपीतः वर्णः येषाम्)

• गुरवः: heavy, weighty
• गुरवः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• विचित्राः: variegated, wonderful
• विचित्राः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• त्रास-व्रण-व्याल-विवर्जिताः: free from fear, wounds, and defects
• त्रास-व्रण-व्याल-विवर्जिताः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रास (प्रातिपदिक) + व्रण (प्रातिपदिक) + व्याल (प्रातिपदिक) + विवर्जित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (trāsa-vraṇa-vyālaiḥ vivarjitāḥ = free from fright, wounds, and blemishes/‘serpents’ metaphorically)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• कर्केतनाः: karketana gems
• कर्केतनाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्केतन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• ते: those
• ते: Karta (Subject apposition/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• परमम्: supremely
• परमम्: Sambandha (Degree/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणवत् (degree adverbially: ‘supremely’)

• पवित्राः: pure, sacred
• पवित्राः: Karta (Predicate adjective/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पवित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Purity (śuddhi) and freedom from defects (nirdoṣatā) are prerequisites for sacred status and beneficial use.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-śuddhi as a value: external purity mirrors inner clarity; selection of pure supports aligns with sattvic living.

Application: Choose stones that are glossy, clear, evenly colored, and free from cracks/blemishes; reject those with serpent-like lines or wounds.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.75.2 (defect-caused appearances); Garuda Purana 1.75.4 (ritual processing and benefits)

FAQs

What is the importance of purity markers (lakṣaṇas) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats physical purity—uniform color, clarity, and freedom from defects—as a dharmic standard for selecting sacred items that are considered spiritually sanctifying.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana’s broader teachings?

It reflects the text’s emphasis on correct ritual conduct: materials used for religious purposes should be free from दोष (defects), mirroring the ideal of inner purity required for dharma.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When choosing items for worship or vows, prefer clean, intact, and ethically obtained materials—using external care as a support for inner discipline and reverence.