Shloka 46

Ratna-parīkṣā: Vajra (Diamond/Thunderbolt) — Origin, Types, Testing, Defects, Weights, and Royal Auspiciousness

Devanagari script

क्षारोल्लेखनशाणाभिस्तेषां कार्यं परीक्षणम् / पृथिव्यां यानि रत्नानि ये चान्ये लोहधातवः

Transliteration

kṣārollekhanaśāṇābhisteṣāṃ kāryaṃ parīkṣaṇam / pṛthivyāṃ yāni ratnāni ye cānye lohadhātavaḥ

Translation

Pengujian terhadapnya hendaknya dilakukan dengan penandaan alkali dan uji batu asah—baik itu permata dari bumi maupun mineral logam lainnya.

Word by Word

• क्षारोल्लेखनशाणाभिः: by alkali, scraping, and whetstones
• क्षारोल्लेखनशाणाभिः: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षार (प्रातिपदिक) + उल्लेखन (प्रातिपदिक) + शाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (शाणा), तृतीया, बहुवचन; समाहार/इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व: क्षार + उल्लेखन + शाणा (alkali, scraping, whetstone)

• तेषाम्: of them
• तेषाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• कार्यम्: to be done
• कार्यम्: Kriyā (Obligation predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषणम् (to be done)

• परीक्षणम्: testing, examination
• परीक्षणम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परीक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• पृथिव्याम्: on earth
• पृथिव्याम्: Adhikaraṇa (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृथिवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• यानि: which (those that)
• यानि: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक (relative pronoun)

• रत्नानि: gems
• रत्नानि: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• ये: which (those who/that)
• ये: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक

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

• अन्ये: other
• अन्ये: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘लोहधातवः’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• लोहधातवः: metals/metal ores
• लोहधातवः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोह (प्रातिपदिक) + धातु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘लोहानां धातवः’ (metal-ores/metals)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Prescribes practical methods for testing gems/metals (alkaline marking, whetstone), emphasizing empirical verification.

Vedantic Theme: Pratyakṣa-anumāna in vyavahāra: disciplined observation as a support for right action; avoiding avidyā-driven error.

Application: Use standardized tests and multiple methods; verify materials before valuation, ritual use, or gifting.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: earth/mines (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.68.44-45 (materials and need for examination)

FAQs

What is the importance of gem and metal testing in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes proper examination—using alkali-marking and whetstone/touchstone methods—to verify gems and metallic minerals, supporting truthful trade and right conduct (dharma) in worldly affairs.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly address the soul’s journey; instead, it belongs to the Achara (conduct) material-discernment context, teaching careful verification and avoidance of deception—ethical foundations that shape one’s karma.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Verify valuables with reliable tests and expert assessment before purchase or ritual use; the broader takeaway is to practice honesty and due diligence, avoiding fraud and careless acceptance of claims.