Shloka 16

Indranīla (Blue Sapphire): Source-Myth, Grades, Tests, Substitutes, and Price

Devanagari script

इन्द्रनीलो यथा कश्चिद्विभर्त्याताम्रवर्णताम् / रक्षणयौ तथा ताम्रौ करवीरोत्पलावुभौ

Transliteration

indranīlo yathā kaścidvibhartyātāmravarṇatām / rakṣaṇayau tathā tāmrau karavīrotpalāvubhau

Translation

Sebagaimana ada indranīla (nilam/safir) yang seakan-akan memikul rona tembaga, demikian juga karavīra dan utpala—apabila berwarna tembaga—dianggap sebagai sarana pelindung (rakṣā).

Word by Word

• इन्द्रनीलः: indranīla (sapphire)
• इन्द्रनीलः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्रनील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• यथा: as/just as
• यथा: Sambandha (Comparison/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (comparative particle)

• कश्चित्: some (one)
• कश्चित्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; अनिश्चितवाचक-सर्वनाम

• विभर्ति: bears/displays
• विभर्ति: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भृ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• आ-ताम्र-वर्णताम्: a coppery coloration
• आ-ताम्र-वर्णताम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आ (उपसर्ग) + ताम्र (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्णता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (‘ताम्रस्य वर्णता’); उपसर्ग ‘आ’ = ‘पर्यन्त/समन्तात्’ इत्यर्थे (intensifier)

• रक्षणयौ: the two ‘rakṣaṇa’ (protective stones/varieties)
• रक्षणयौ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), द्विवचन

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Comparison/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb: ‘likewise’)

• ताम्रौ: copper-colored
• ताम्रौ: Karta (Qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ताम्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), द्विवचन

• करवीर-उत्पलौ: karavīra and utpala
• करवीर-उत्पलौ: Karta (Apposition/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: करवीर (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्पल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), द्विवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्वः (करवीरश्च उत्पलश्च)

• उभौ: both
• उभौ: Karta (Qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), द्विवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Auspicious signs in material objects are read as indicators of protective potency; proper selection yields beneficial outcomes.

Vedantic Theme: Karma and upāya: worldly supports (ratna/rakṣā) as auxiliary means within dharmic life, subordinate to right conduct.

Application: When choosing protective stones, attend to recognized auspicious features; use as rakṣā only after proper identification and tradition-consistent handling.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: protective/amulet context (rakṣā)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.72: gem qualities and effects; rakṣā-related statements in ratna sections (contextual continuity)

Characters & Entities

• Indranīla (sapphire)
• Karavīra (oleander)
• Utpala (lotus)

FAQs

What is the importance of rakṣā (protection) substances in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats certain naturally auspicious items—like specific gems and plants marked by a coppery hue—as having rakṣā value, i.e., they are recommended as protective aids within the text’s ritual/auspiciousness framework.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on ritual practice?

Rather than describing the after-death journey here, the chapter’s tone is practical: it classifies materials (gems/plants) by observable qualities (like color) and assigns them protective utility for ritual or household safeguarding.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use the verse as a reminder to follow tradition with discernment: if employing ritual items for protection, prioritize purity, intention, and scriptural/teacher guidance over superstition, and avoid harmful handling of toxic plants like karavīra.