Shloka 52

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

Devanagari script

सौदा मिनीविस्फुरिताभिरामं राजा यथोक्तं कलिशं दधानः / पराक्रमाक्रान्तपरप्रतापः समस्तसामन्तभुवं भुनक्ति

Transliteration

saudā minīvisphuritābhirāmaṃ rājā yathoktaṃ kaliśaṃ dadhānaḥ / parākramākrāntaparapratāpaḥ samastasāmantabhuvaṃ bhunakti

Translation

യഥോക്തമായി രത്നപ്രഭയിൽ മിന്നുന്ന കിരീടം ധരിച്ച രാജാവ്, തന്റെ പരാക്രമംകൊണ്ട് എതിര്‍രാജാക്കന്മാരുടെ പ്രതാപം അടക്കി, സമസ്ത സാമന്തഭൂമിയെയും അനുഭവിച്ച് ഭരിക്കുന്നു।

Word by Word

• सौदा: Saudā (proper name)
• सौदा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सौदा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेष्य-रूपेण (as a descriptor/epithet)

• मिनीविस्फुरिताभिरामम्: beautiful with gem-like flashing
• मिनीविस्फुरिताभिरामम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मिनी + विस्फुरित + अभिराम (प्रातिपदिक); अभिराम (विशेषण-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (मिनी-विस्फुरितेन अभिरामम् = 'beautiful with the flashing of a gem')

• राजा: the king
• राजा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• यथोक्तम्: as said/according to instruction
• यथोक्तम्: Kriya-visheshaṇa (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + उक्त (कृदन्त; √वच् (धातु))
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्यय-रूपेण (adverbial)

• कलिशम्: a sword/dagger (kaliśa)
• कलिशम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कलिश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• दधानः: bearing/holding
• दधानः: Karta (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √धा (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकालिक-कर्तरि शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; 'धारयन्' (bearing)

• पराक्रमाक्रान्तपरप्रतापः: whose valor has subdued the enemies’ might
• पराक्रमाक्रान्तपरप्रतापः: Karta (Subject-qualifier/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पराक्रम + आक्रान्त (कृदन्त; √क्रम्/√क्रन्द्? here 'ākrānta' from √क्रम्) + पर + प्रताप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—'येन परप्रतापः पराक्रमेण आक्रान्तः सः'

• समस्तसामन्तभुवम्: the whole land of vassals/feudatories
• समस्तसामन्तभुवम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समस्त + सामन्त + भुव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—'समस्तानां सामन्तानां भुवम्'

• भुनक्ति: enjoys/rules
• भुनक्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भुज् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Uncertain from single-verse input (Garuda Purana dialogue is typically Lord Vishnu addressing Garuda; confirm with surrounding verses).

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Rajadharma: legitimate sovereignty is upheld by valor, proper insignia, and the capacity to protect and unify subordinate rulers.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as a stabilizing order within prakriti; worldly power is meaningful when aligned with duty rather than mere ego.

Application: Leadership ethic: cultivate competence and courage, maintain symbols of office with restraint, and govern for stability and protection rather than vanity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Geographic Context

Type: royal court/kingdom

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.68 (royal/ratna/ornament context leading into gem-lore chapters)

FAQs

What is the importance of righteous kingship in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames kingship as ordered sovereignty—an ideal ruler bears regal insignia and legitimately governs a network of subordinate rulers through valor and authority.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly discuss the soul’s journey; instead, it describes worldly rulership, which in Purāṇic ethics is tied to dharma and the karmic outcomes of just or unjust governance.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat authority as stewardship: lead with discipline and legitimacy, avoid oppressive rivalry, and maintain order through dharma rather than mere force.