Shloka 27

The Examination of Pearls and Padmarāga (Ruby): Origins, Marks, Defects, and Valuation

Devanagari script

वज्रं वा कुरुविन्दं वा विमुच्यानेन केनचित् / नाशक्यं लेखनं कर्तुं पद्मरागेन्द्रनीलयोः

Transliteration

vajraṃ vā kuruvindaṃ vā vimucyānena kenacit / nāśakyaṃ lekhanaṃ kartuṃ padmarāgendranīlayoḥ

Translation

たとえ金剛石（ダイヤモンド）やクルヴィンダを筆記具として用いたとしても、紅玉（ルビー）や青玉（サファイア）に傷をつけることは、いかなる手段をもっても不可能である。

Word by Word

• वज्रम्: diamond / thunderbolt
• वज्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वज्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (disjunctive particle), विकल्पार्थ (or)

• कुरुविन्दम्: kuruvinda (a gem/ruby variety)
• कुरुविन्दम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुरुविन्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (disjunctive particle), विकल्पार्थ (or)

• विमुच्य: having removed / having freed
• विमुच्य: Purvakala-kriya (Prior action/पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-मुच् (धातु)
• Form: ल्यप्/क्त्वा-समकक्ष अव्यय (Gerund), ‘having released/removed’

• अनेन: with this
• अनेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया (Instrumental, 3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• केनचित्: by someone / by some (means)
• केनचित्: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Masc/Neut), तृतीया (Instrumental, 3rd), एकवचन (Singular); ‘चित्’ प्रत्ययेन अनिश्चितार्थ (indefinite)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Negation/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात (negation)

• अशक्यम्: impossible
• अशक्यम्: Kriya-visheshana (Predicate adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शक्य (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; शक् धातोः)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular); ‘अ-’ नकारार्थ (impossible)

• लेखनम्: scratching/engraving
• लेखनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लेखन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular)

• कर्तुम्: to do / to make
• कर्तुम्: Prayojana (Purpose/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (Infinitive), ‘to do/make’

• पद्मरागेन्द्रनीलयोः: of (the gems) ruby and sapphire
• पद्मरागेन्द्रनीलयोः: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद्मराग-इन्द्रनील (प्रातिपदिक); पद्मराग (प्रातिपदिक) + इन्द्रनील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी (Genitive, 6th), द्विवचन (Dual)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Svabhāva-niyama: each substance has intrinsic limits; even the strongest tool cannot violate certain natural properties.

Vedantic Theme: Recognition of guṇa/dravya-dharma (inherent properties) within vyavahāra; humility before niyati (order).

Application: In gem testing and craftsmanship, respect hardness/compatibility; choose appropriate methods rather than forcing impossible operations.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.70: comparative hardness and testing of gems (ratna-parīkṣā)

FAQs

What is the importance of this gemstone metaphor in the Garuda Purana?

It illustrates an impossibility: even with the hardest tools, some things remain unalterable—used to stress firmness/unchangeability of the point being taught in the surrounding context.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it emphasizes that certain cosmic principles (often karma and its outcomes in Garuda Purana discourse) are not easily overridden—just as some surfaces cannot be inscribed despite strong instruments.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Recognize what cannot be forced or rewritten by mere exertion; focus on right conduct and timely action rather than trying to undo fixed consequences.