Shloka 44

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

Devanagari script

अयसा पुष्परागेण तथा गोमेदकेन च / वैदूर्यस्फटिकाभ्यां च काचैश्चापि पृथग्विधैः

Transliteration

ayasā puṣparāgeṇa tathā gomedakena ca / vaidūryasphaṭikābhyāṃ ca kācaiścāpi pṛthagvidhaiḥ

Translation

Dengan besi, dengan batu pusparaga (topaz), dan juga dengan gomeda (hessonite); dengan vaidurya (mata kucing) dan sfatika (kristal), serta dengan pelbagai jenis kaca yang berbeza-beza.

Word by Word

• अयसा: with iron
• अयसा: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अयस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• पुष्परागेण: with topaz (puṣparāga)
• पुष्परागेण: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुष्प (प्रातिपदिक) + राग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; ‘पुष्पस्य रागः’ (a gem named topaz)

• तथा: likewise, also
• तथा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (समुच्चय/‘also, likewise’)

• गोमेदकेन: with gomedaka (hessonite)
• गोमेदकेन: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोमेदक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (समुच्चय)

• वैदूर्यस्फटिकाभ्याम्: with cat's-eye and crystal
• वैदूर्यस्फटिकाभ्याम्: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैदूर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + स्फटिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, द्विवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (vaidūrya and crystal)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (समुच्चय)

• काचैः: with glass pieces
• काचैः: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (समुच्चय)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (समुच्चय/‘also’)

• पृथग्विधैः: of various kinds
• पृथग्विधैः: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पृथक् (अव्यय) + विध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; ‘पृथग्विध’ = पृथक् विधाः (of various kinds)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Enumeration of substances used in gem contexts—distinguishing true gems from substitutes/related materials.

Vedantic Theme: Nāma-rūpa classification within vyavahāra; knowledge (vidyā) as a tool for right action (dharma) in the world.

Application: Learn material literacy: know common substitutes and look-alikes before valuation or purchase.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: mines/earth strata (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.68.45-46 (imitation and testing methods)

FAQs

What is the importance of listing materials like iron and gemstones in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as a precise inventory of acceptable substances for ritual use or charitable gifting (dāna), emphasizing that even specific materials—metals, gems, and glass—can be dedicated as dharmic offerings to generate merit (puṇya).

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

Indirectly: by detailing dharmic actions and sanctioned offerings, it points to the broader Garuda Purana principle that one’s post-death experience is shaped by accumulated merit and demerit, supported through proper rites and charitable acts.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Give ethically sourced materials (or their monetary equivalent) in charity with a clear intention, and treat ritual prescriptions as a reminder to practice generosity, simplicity, and responsibility in wealth.