Shloka 25
The Examination of Pearls and Padmarāga (Ruby): Origins, Marks, Defects, and Valuation
संप्राप्य चोत्क्षिप्य यथानुवृत्तिं विभर्तियः सर्वगुणानतीव / तुल्यप्रमाणस्य च तुल्यजातेर्यो वा गुरुत्वेन भवेत्तु तुल्यः / प्राप्यापि रत्नाकरजा स्वजातिं लक्षेद्गुरुत्वेन गुणेन विद्वान्
saṃprāpya cotkṣipya yathānuvṛttiṃ vibhartiyaḥ sarvaguṇānatīva / tulyapramāṇasya ca tulyajāteryo vā gurutvena bhavettu tulyaḥ / prāpyāpi ratnākarajā svajātiṃ lakṣedgurutvena guṇena vidvān
Celui qui, après avoir atteint (un rang) puis s’élever selon l’ordre juste, porte avec surabondance toutes les vertus, devient, même parmi ceux d’égale mesure et d’égale naissance, plus « lourd » (plus éminent) par sa valeur. Le sage reconnaît la grandeur à la qualité intérieure : quand bien même une chose n’aurait obtenu que la même « espèce »—telle une gemme née de l’océan—son prix se connaît à son poids et à son excellence.
Lord Viṣṇu (in discourse to Garuḍa/Vainateya)
Concept: True eminence (‘gurutva’) comes from guṇa (inner excellence), not merely equal measure, equal birth, or shared origin; the wise assess worth by weight/quality like gem appraisal.
Vedantic Theme: Guṇa-prādhānya and adhikāra: inner qualification outweighs external sameness; sāra-grāhitā (grasping the essential).
Application: In leadership, hiring, and self-cultivation: prioritize demonstrated virtues and competence over pedigree, labels, or superficial parity.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: cosmic-geographic feature (ocean)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.70 (nīti-like conclusion to ratna-parīkṣā: guṇa and gurutva)
FAQs
This verse stresses that true eminence (gurutva) arises from virtues and excellence of character, not merely from equal birth, status, or external measure.
It reinforces a dharma-centered evaluation of a person: the wise discern real worth by inner qualities—using the metaphor of a jewel whose value is known by its weight and excellence, not by origin alone.
Prioritize integrity, learning, restraint, and service over social labels; assess leaders and oneself by consistent conduct and virtue rather than background or appearances.