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
ಯಾರು ಸ್ಥಾನವನ್ನು ಪಡೆದು ನಂತರ ಕ್ರಮಾನುಸಾರವಾಗಿ ಮೇಲೇರಿಕೊಂಡು ಅತ್ಯುತ್ತಮ ಗುಣಗಳನ್ನು ಧರಿಸುತ್ತಾರೋ, ಅವರು ಸಮಾನ ಪ್ರಮಾಣ ಮತ್ತು ಸಮಾನ ಜನ್ಮದವರ ಮಧ್ಯೆಯೂ ಗುಣಗೌರವದಿಂದ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ‘ಗುರು’ (ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ)ರಾಗುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಸಮುದ್ರದಿಂದ ಹುಟ್ಟಿದ ರತ್ನವು ತನ್ನ ಜಾತಿಯನ್ನೇ ಪಡೆದರೂ, ಪಂಡಿತನು ಅದರ ಮೌಲ್ಯವನ್ನು ತೂಕ ಮತ್ತು ಉತ್ಕೃಷ್ಟ ಗುಣದಿಂದಲೇ ಗುರುತಿಸುತ್ತಾನೆ—ಮಹತ್ವವು ಗುಣದಿಂದಲೇ ತಿಳಿಯುತ್ತದೆ।
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.