Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 1
Chapter 245 — रत्नपरीक्षा
Examination of Gems
इत्य् आग्नेये महापुराणे आयुधलक्षणादिर्नाम चतुश् चत्वारिंशदधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः अथ पञ्चचत्वारिंशदधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः रत्नपरीक्षा अग्निर् उवाच रत्नानां लक्षणं वक्ष्ये रत्नं धार्यमिदं नृपैः वज्रं मरकतं रत्नं पद्मरागञ्च मौक्तिकं
ity āgneye mahāpurāṇe āyudhalakṣaṇādirnāma catuś catvāriṃśadadhikadviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ atha pañcacatvāriṃśadadhikadviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ ratnaparīkṣā agnir uvāca ratnānāṃ lakṣaṇaṃ vakṣye ratnaṃ dhāryamidaṃ nṛpaiḥ vajraṃ marakataṃ ratnaṃ padmarāgañca mauktikaṃ
Así, en el Agni Mahāpurāṇa concluye el capítulo ducentésimo cuadragésimo cuarto, llamado «Características de las armas y temas afines». Ahora comienza el capítulo ducentésimo cuadragésimo quinto: «Examen de las gemas». Agni dijo: «Expondré las características de las gemas—las que deben portar los reyes: el diamante, la esmeralda, el rubí y la perla».
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Selection and wearing of royal gems as auspicious regalia; establishing a courtly standard list for ratna-pariksha.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Ratna-parīkṣā: Rājadhārya-ratna (royal gems) — introductory list","lookup_keywords":["ratna-pariksha","rājadhārya","vajra","marakata","padmarāga","mauktika"],"quick_summary":"Introduces gem-examination and states the core royal gems to be worn by kings: diamond, emerald, ruby, and pearl."}
Concept: Rājadharma includes auspicious regalia and correct discernment of valuable substances (ratna) for protection, prestige, and prosperity.
Application: Codify court practice: which gems are fit for royal use and thus must be examined for authenticity and qualities.
Khanda Section: Ratna-śāstra (Gemmology) within Rāja-dharma / Nīti (royal conduct and auspicious regalia)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Agni as teacher begins a technical discourse on royal gems, naming diamond, emerald, ruby, and pearl as kingly ornaments.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, Agni-deva seated as guru with flaming aura, palm-leaf manuscript, a king listening respectfully, attendants presenting four gems (diamond, emerald, ruby, pearl) on a golden tray, temple interior, rich reds and ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Agni-deva with ornate crown and halo, heavy gold leaf embellishment, king in royal attire holding a gem-casket, four highlighted gems on a plate, symmetrical composition, jewel-toned background","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework, instructional court scene: Agni explaining gem categories to a scribe and king, labeled gem boxes, muted pastel palette with delicate gold accents","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly darbar: Agni as sage-like figure with flame motif, king and courtiers examining gemstones with magnifiers, detailed textiles, realistic gem sparkle, architectural pavilion"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ity āgneye → iti āgneye; āyudhalakṣaṇādirnāma → āyudha-lakṣaṇa-ādiḥ nāma; 'dhyāyaḥ (ऽ) → adhyāyaḥ; agnir uvāca → agniḥ uvāca; padmarāgañca → padmarāgam ca; dhāryamidaṃ → dhāryam idam; marakatañcaiva etc. not in this verse.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Ayudha-lakṣaṇa (preceding chapter colophon); Agni Purana: Ratna-parīkṣā (this chapter continuation: individual gem lakṣaṇas likely follow)
FAQs
It introduces Ratna-parīkṣā (gem examination): identifying key gemstones and presenting them as royal ornaments to be selected and worn according to their defining characteristics.
By shifting from weapon-classification to gemology, it shows the text’s wide scope—covering practical sciences for governance and courtly life (royal insignia, auspicious materials) alongside religious and ritual topics.
Gems are framed as dhārya (to be worn) by kings, implying auspicious protection and prosperity when appropriate, pure, and correctly chosen—supporting righteous rule and well-being.