Shloka 33
The Examination of Pearls and Padmarāga (Ruby): Origins, Marks, Defects, and Valuation
वज्रस्य यत्तण्डुलसंख्ययोक्तं मूल्यं समुत्पादितगौरवस्य / तत्पद्मरागस्य महागुणस्य तन्माषकल्पाकलितस्य मूल्यम्
vajrasya yattaṇḍulasaṃkhyayoktaṃ mūlyaṃ samutpāditagauravasya / tatpadmarāgasya mahāguṇasya tanmāṣakalpākalitasya mūlyam
Qualquer que seja o preço do diamante, declarado ao contá-lo em grãos de arroz conforme o peso produzido, assim também se determina o preço do padmarāga (rubi) de grande excelência, calculado em unidades de māṣa segundo o padrão estabelecido.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Order and fairness in commerce through agreed standards of weight and valuation.
Vedantic Theme: Vyavahara-satya: conventional truth and social order rely on pramana-like standards; ethics in exchange supports societal harmony.
Application: Use transparent measurement standards in trade; document weights and grades; avoid fraud in high-value goods.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.70 (ratna-pariksha: qualities and valuation principles)
FAQs
It emphasizes that value should be determined by agreed, repeatable weight standards (rice-grain count, māṣa units), not by guesswork—reflecting dharmic order in trade and ritual economy.
Like many instructional passages where Vishnu teaches Garuda, it presents practical dharma—here, a technical rule for assessing precious items using traditional measures.
Use transparent, standardized measurement and pricing methods in commerce and donations; fairness in valuation is treated as a form of dharma.