Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 13
Chapter 245 — रत्नपरीक्षा
Examination of Gems
नागदन्तभवाश्चाग्र्याः कुम्भशूकरमत्स्यजाः वेणुनागभवाः श्रेष्ठा मौक्तिकं मेघजं वरं
nāgadantabhavāścāgryāḥ kumbhaśūkaramatsyajāḥ veṇunāgabhavāḥ śreṣṭhā mauktikaṃ meghajaṃ varaṃ
As pérolas nascidas do marfim do elefante (nāgadanta) são tidas como as primeiras; reconhecem-se também as produzidas pelo peixe kumbha, pelo javali e pelos peixes. As originadas do veṇunāga são as melhores; e a pérola nascida das nuvens é excelente.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic topics)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Cataloging rare pearl provenances for high-value trade, royal gifts, and treasury authentication.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Uncommon pearl origins: elephant tusk, kumbha-fish, boar, veṇunāga, and cloud-born","lookup_keywords":["nāgadanta","kumbha-matsya","śūkara","veṇunāga","meghaja mauktika"],"quick_summary":"The text lists extraordinary sources of pearls—tusk, certain animals/fish, veṇunāga, and even clouds—used to rank rarity and prestige in valuation."}
Concept: Rarity (durlabhatā) and provenance as determinants of prestige-value beyond ordinary production.
Application: Treat extraordinary-origin claims as markers of premium category; require corroboration (size, luster, provenance chain) in trade.
Khanda Section: Ratna-pariksha (Gemology and classification of pearls and precious substances)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A treasury display shows pearls labeled by wondrous origins: elephant tusk, fish/boar, veṇunāga, and a radiant cloud-born pearl hovering in a painted sky panel.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, mythic tableau: nāga with bamboo-like (veṇu) motif guarding pearls, elephant with tusk pearl, stylized clouds releasing a luminous pearl, bold flat colors and sacred ornamentation.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, royal court offering rare pearls, gold leaf on cloud-born pearl aura, embossed conch and tusk motifs, rich jewel tones, ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, schematic classification chart with small vignettes: tusk, fish, boar, nāga, cloud; neat labels in Devanagari, soft shading, manuscript aesthetic.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic animals (elephant, boar, fish) around a jeweler’s table, with an imaginative cloud scene in the margin showing a pearl descending, fine brush detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Megh","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नागदन्तभवाश्चाग्र्याः = नागदन्तभवाः + च + अग्र्याः; कुम्भशूकरमत्स्यजाः = (कुम्भ-शूकर-मत्स्य) द्वन्द्व + -जाः
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ratna-parīkṣā: pearl virtues (245.14)
FAQs
It imparts Ratna-śāstra (gemological) classification—identifying pearls by their supposed sources (tusk-born, aquatic/animal-born, serpent-associated, and cloud-born) and ranking them by perceived quality.
By cataloging non-ritual technical knowledge—here, traditional gemology and quality gradation of pearls—the text functions as a compendium that extends beyond theology into material sciences and commerce-related lore.
In Purāṇic practice, knowing the proper grade and auspicious provenance of gems supports dhārmic gift-giving, adornment in worship, and avoidance of inauspicious materials—thus aligning wealth and ritual with merit (puṇya).