Shloka 18

Vaidūrya (Cat’s-eye) Examination: Origin, Auspicious Marks, Imitations, and Valuation Measures

Devanagari script

शाणश्चतुर्माषमानो माषकः पञ्चकृष्णलः / पलस्य दशमो भागो धरणः परिकीर्तितः

Transliteration

śāṇaścaturmāṣamāno māṣakaḥ pañcakṛṣṇalaḥ / palasya daśamo bhāgo dharaṇaḥ parikīrtitaḥ

Translation

Satu śāṇa diukur bersamaan empat māṣa; satu māṣaka bersamaan lima kṛṣṇala. Sepersepuluh daripada satu pala dinyatakan sebagai satu dharaṇa.

Word by Word

• śāṇaḥ: a śāṇa (weight-unit)
• śāṇaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (conjunction)

• catur-māṣa-mānaḥ: measuring four māṣas
• catur-māṣa-mānaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: catur (संख्या/प्रातिपदिक) + māṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + māna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमास (caturmāṣaṃ mānaṃ yasya)

• māṣakaḥ: a māṣaka (weight-unit)
• māṣakaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māṣaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• pañca-kṛṣṇalaḥ: (as) five kṛṣṇalas
• pañca-kṛṣṇalaḥ: Karta (Apposition/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pañca (संख्या/प्रातिपदिक) + kṛṣṇala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; द्विगुसमास

• palasya: of a pala
• palasya: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), षष्ठी विभक्ति (Genitive, 6th), एकवचन (Singular)

• daśamaḥ: tenth
• daśamaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: daśa (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + -ma (तद्धित)
• Form: क्रमवाचक (ordinal), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• bhāgaḥ: part/fraction
• bhāgaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• dharaṇaḥ: dharaṇa (a unit)
• dharaṇaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• parikīrtitaḥ: is declared/defined
• parikīrtitaḥ: Karta (Predicate adjective/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pari-√kīrt (धातु) (कीर्तने)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (Past passive participle/क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa / Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Interlinked system of weights: śāṇa, māṣa, māṣaka, kṛṣṇala, pala, dharaṇa—ensuring precision and consistency.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as harmonized order; correctness (yathāvidhi) in worldly and ritual actions depends on accurate pramana.

Application: When giving dana, buying, or preparing ritual materials, use consistent units; document conversions to prevent error and dispute.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana measurement lists for ritual items and valuation (contextual parallel)

FAQs

What is the importance of weights and measures in the Garuda Purana?

This verse standardizes traditional weight units so that offerings, dāna, and ritual materials are given in correct measure, supporting dharma through precise observance.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly describe the soul’s journey; instead, it provides practical ritual standards that underpin dharmic acts (like dāna and prescribed rites) which are taught as supportive conditions for auspicious outcomes after death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use the verse as a reference when consulting traditional śāstra-based rituals or temple practices—ensuring donations or offerings are measured consistently according to classical units.