Shloka 18
Indranīla (Blue Sapphire): Source-Myth, Grades, Tests, Substitutes, and Price
यस्य वर्णस्य भूयस्त्वात्क्षीरे शतगुणे स्थितः / नीलतां तन्नयेत्सर्वं महानीलः स उच्यते
yasya varṇasya bhūyastvātkṣīre śataguṇe sthitaḥ / nīlatāṃ tannayetsarvaṃ mahānīlaḥ sa ucyate
Bahan itu, oleh keunggulan warna dirinya, walau dicairkan seratus kali dalam susu, tetap mewarnai seluruh campuran menjadi biru—itulah yang disebut “mahā-nīla” (biru pekat).
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)
Concept: Lakṣaṇa-pramāṇa: a thing is known by its defining power (here, color dominance even under dilution).
Vedantic Theme: Pramāṇa and vyavahāra-jñāna (empirical knowledge) as a basis for right action; guṇa reveals svabhāva.
Application: Use a dilution/mixture test to identify genuine mahānīla by its strong nīla-varṇa that pervades the whole medium.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.72 (ratna-lakṣaṇa context); Garuda Purana 1.73 (continuation into other gems and their tests)
FAQs
This verse defines ‘mahānīla’ as a deep blue quality so intense that it colors an entire mixture even in great dilution, using it as a precise descriptive standard.
It does not directly describe the soul’s journey; it functions as a definitional/illustrative statement, typical of Purāṇic teaching that clarifies terms through vivid analogies.
It encourages discernment: even a subtle presence can strongly influence the whole—apply this to cultivating good qualities (sattva) and avoiding harmful influences.