Pitṛ-śrāddha-haviḥ-phala-nirdeśa
Offerings for Ancestors and Their Stated Results
ततः प्रभृति चाप्येतज्जातरूपमुदाहतम् | रत्नानामुत्तमं रत्नं भूषणानां तथैव च,तभीसे सुवर्णका नाम जातरूप हुआ। वह रत्नोंमें उत्तम रत्न और आशभृषणोंमें श्रेष्ठ आभूषण है
tataḥ prabhṛti cāpy etaj jātarūpam udāhṛtam | ratnānām uttamaṁ ratnaṁ bhūṣaṇānāṁ tathaiva ca ||
Bhīṣma said: “From that time onward, this substance came to be known as ‘jātarūpa’ (gold). It is regarded as the finest among gems and likewise as the foremost among ornaments.”
भीष्म उवाच
The verse establishes a traditional valuation: gold (jātarūpa) is treated as preeminent among precious items and ornaments, reflecting how society ranks materials used for adornment and wealth.
Bhīṣma is explaining a received tradition about nomenclature and status: from a certain point onward the substance is called ‘jātarūpa’ (gold), and it is praised as the foremost gem and ornament.