Shloka 4

Vidruma (Coral): Origin, Color-Types, Qualities, and the Introduction to Testing Pulaka, Rudhirākṣa, Sphaṭika, and Vidruma

Devanagari script

धनधान्यकरं लोके विषार्तिभयनाशनम् / परीक्षा पुलकस्योक्ता रुधिराक्षस्य वै मणेः / स्फटिकस्य विद्रुमस्य रत्नज्ञानाय शौनक !

Transliteration

dhanadhānyakaraṃ loke viṣārtibhayanāśanam / parīkṣā pulakasyoktā rudhirākṣasya vai maṇeḥ / sphaṭikasya vidrumasya ratnajñānāya śaunaka !

Translation

On dit que cette gemme apporte richesse et abondance de grains dans le monde et qu’elle dissipe la crainte née du poison. Ô Śaunaka, pour la connaissance des joyaux, voici exposée la manière d’éprouver la gemme Pulaka et le joyau Rudhirākṣa, ainsi que le cristal (sphaṭika) et le corail (vidruma).

Word by Word

• धनधान्यकरम्: producing wealth and grain
• धनधान्यकरम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धन + धान्य + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (धनं धान्यं च करोति इति) (neuter nom/acc sg)

• लोके: in the world
• लोके: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन (locative singular)

• विषार्तिभयनाशनम्: destroyer of fear from poison-affliction
• विषार्तिभयनाशनम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष + आर्ति + भय + नाशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (विष-आर्ति-भयस्य नाशनम्) (neuter nom/acc sg)

• परीक्षा: examination/test
• परीक्षा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परीक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (nominative singular)

• पुलकस्य: of Pulaka
• पुलकस्य: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुलक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन (genitive singular)

• उक्ता: has been stated
• उक्ता: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु) → उक्त (कृदन्त-भूतकृत)
• Form: भूतकृत् (past passive participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'परीक्षा' इत्यस्य विधेय (fem nom sg)

• रुधिराक्षस्य: of Rudhirākṣa (red-eyed; name)
• रुधिराक्षस्य: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुधिर + अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (रुधिरम् इव अक्षि यस्य) (genitive singular)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (Discourse/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic particle)

• मणेः: of the gem
• मणेः: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन (genitive singular)

• स्फटिकस्य: of crystal
• स्फटिकस्य: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्फटिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन (genitive singular)

• विद्रुमस्य: of coral
• विद्रुमस्य: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्रुम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन (genitive singular)

• रत्नज्ञानाय: for knowledge of gems
• रत्नज्ञानाय: Sampradana (Purpose/Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रत्न + ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (रत्नस्य ज्ञानम्; तस्मै) (dative singular)

• शौनक: O Śaunaka
• शौनक: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शौनक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन (vocative singular)

Speaker

Suta (Sauti) speaking to the sages, addressing Shaunaka (context: discourse on gem-lore/ratna-pariksha)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Proper knowledge (ratna-jñāna) and testing (parīkṣā) guide right use of powerful objects that can confer prosperity and protection.

Vedantic Theme: Right knowledge as a means to right action; śāstra-guided discernment prevents error and harm.

Application: Use tested, authentic gems; rely on expert evaluation; treat claims of protection (e.g., against poison) as contingent on proper identification and quality.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.80.1-1.80.3 on coral origin, varieties, and ideal qualities; Adjacent ratna-parīkṣā sections on other gems (contextual)

Characters & Entities

• Shaunaka

FAQs

What is the importance of Ratna-parīkṣā (gem examination) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames gem-examination as practical knowledge: identifying specific gems and their effects—such as prosperity and protection from poison-related fear—so one can discern and use gemstones appropriately.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not address the soul’s post-death journey; instead, it belongs to a section on ratna-jñāna (knowledge of gems), focusing on worldly welfare and protective properties attributed to certain jewels.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a cue for careful verification and authenticity checks before adopting any gemstone practice—prioritizing discernment (parīkṣā) over mere claims about benefits like prosperity or protection.