Shloka 42

मुक्ता-उत्पत्ति-भेदाः, मूल्य-मान-निर्णयः, शोधन-परीक्षा-लक्षणानि

Pearl Sources, Valuation, Refinement, and Identification

Devanagari script

तेजो ऽधिकं सुवृत्तं च मौक्तिकं गुणवत्स्मृतम्

Transliteration

tejo 'dhikaṃ suvṛttaṃ ca mauktikaṃ guṇavatsmṛtam

Translation

真珠とは、いよいよ勝れた光沢を備え、形はよく円く、諸徳に富むものと伝えられる。

Word by Word

• तेजः: luster/brilliance
• तेजः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• अधिकम्: greater
• अधिकम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; तुलनार्थक (greater)

• सुवृत्तम्: well-rounded
• सुवृत्तम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (अव्यय-पूर्वपद) + वृत्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; 'well-rounded'

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपातः (conjunction)

• मौक्तिकम्: pearl
• मौक्तिकम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मौक्तिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• गुणवत्-स्मृतम्: is regarded as of good quality
• गुणवत्-स्मृतम्: Kriya (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुणवत् (प्रातिपदिक) + स्मृत (स्मृ धातु, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (गुणवत् इति स्मृतम् = 'considered as possessing qualities'); क्त-प्रत्ययान्तः

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Guṇa-parīkṣā: excellence is recognized through radiance (tejas), symmetry (suvṛtta), and inherent virtues.

Vedantic Theme: Recognition of sattvic qualities—luminosity and harmony—as signs of refinement.

Application: Cultivate ‘tejas’ (clarity, integrity) and ‘suvṛtta’ (well-roundedness) in character; evaluate quality by coherent, consistent traits.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.69.41 (purity marks); Garuda Purana 1.69.43-44 (expanded criteria and effects)

FAQs

What is the importance of pearls (mauktika) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights the pearl’s auspicious markers—radiance, proper form, and inherent qualities—used to identify what is considered spiritually and ritually “good” (guṇavat).

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly describe the soul’s journey; instead, it conveys a standard of auspicious qualities—symbolically aligning “purity and excellence” with dharmic discernment.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Choose what is wholesome and well-formed—objects, habits, and intentions—valuing inner quality (guṇa) and clarity (tejas) over mere appearance.