Shloka 17
Vaidūrya (Cat’s-eye) Examination: Origin, Auspicious Marks, Imitations, and Valuation Measures
सुवर्णो मनुना यस्तु प्रोक्तः षोडशमाषकः / तस्य सप्ततिमो भागः संज्ञारूपं करिष्यति
suvarṇo manunā yastu proktaḥ ṣoḍaśamāṣakaḥ / tasya saptatimo bhāgaḥ saṃjñārūpaṃ kariṣyati
മനു പ്രസ്താവിച്ച പതിനാറ് മാഷകമുള്ള സ്വർണമാനത്തിന്റെ എഴുപതാം ഭാഗം ‘സഞ്ജ്ഞാ’ എന്ന പേരിലുള്ള അളവായി കണക്കാക്കപ്പെടുന്നു।
Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra, in the dharma/measurements context of Kāṇḍa 1)
Concept: Authoritative standardization of gold weight (as per Manu) and derivation of a named fractional unit (saṃjñā) for precise transactions.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma as order (niyati) in society; shastra as pramana for regulated conduct.
Application: Use standardized measures in commerce and offerings; avoid fraud by adhering to recognized units and transparent accounting.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana sections listing measures/weights for ritual and commerce (contextual parallel)
FAQs
It standardizes ritual and charitable offerings (dāna) so that prescribed gifts and expiations can be performed with clear, traditional units rather than vague quantities.
Indirectly: by defining precise standards for dāna and dharmic observance, it supports the broader Garuḍa Purāṇa framework where right conduct and correctly performed rites aid the departed and improve post-death outcomes.
When following traditional śrāddha/dāna instructions from classical sources, use consistent, well-defined measures (or their carefully researched equivalents) to keep ritual intent accurate and avoid arbitrary substitutions.