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
Жемчуг, возникающий из слонового бивня (nāgadanta), считается наипервейшим; признаются также виды, происходящие от рыбы кумбха, от вепря и от рыб. Происходящий от veṇunāga — наилучший; а жемчуг, рожденный из облаков, превосходен.
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).