Shloka 28

Marakata (Emerald): Mythic Origin, Anti-Poison Virtue, Qualities, Defects, and Proper Wearing

Devanagari script

तुलया पद्मरागस्य यन्मूल्यमुपजायते / लभते ऽभ्यधिकं तस्माद्गुणैर्मरकतं युतम्

Transliteration

tulayā padmarāgasya yanmūlyamupajāyate / labhate 'bhyadhikaṃ tasmādguṇairmarakataṃ yutam

Translation

Какова бы ни была цена, получаемая при взвешивании падмараги (рубина), изумруд, наделённый превосходными качествами, стоит ещё дороже.

Word by Word

• तुलया: by comparison/measure
• तुलया: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तुला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), एकवचन — Feminine, Instrumental, Singular

• पद्मरागस्य: of ruby (padmarāga)
• पद्मरागस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद्मराग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (पद्म + राग); पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन — Tatpurusha; Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• यत्: which
• यत्: Karma/Pratipadya (Relative object/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — Pronoun, Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular; सम्बन्धक (relative)

• मूल्यम्: value/price
• मूल्यम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular

• उपजायते: arises/comes about
• उपजायते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-जन् (धातु)
• Form: लट्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद — Present indicative, 3rd person, Singular, Ātmanepada

• लभते: obtains/gets
• लभते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लभ् (धातु)
• Form: लट्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद — Present indicative, 3rd person, Singular, Ātmanepada

• अभ्यधिकम्: more/greater
• अभ्यधिकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभ्यधिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन — Neuter, Accusative, Singular; कर्मविशेषण (लभते)

• तस्मात्: therefore/from that
• तस्मात्: Apadana (Cause/source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, पञ्चमी (अपादान), एकवचन — Pronoun, Ablative, Singular

• गुणैः: with qualities
• गुणैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन — Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• मरकतम्: emerald
• मरकतम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मरकत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular

• युतम्: joined/possessing
• युतम्: Karta (Subject qualifier/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युज् (धातु) → युत (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — Past passive participle, Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular; विशेषण of मरकतम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: True value depends on intrinsic qualities, not merely category or weight; excellence elevates worth beyond baseline measures.

Vedantic Theme: Guna-viveka (discernment of qualities) and the primacy of inner excellence over external comparison.

Application: Evaluate people, tools, and resources by demonstrated qualities and fitness-for-purpose, not by labels or superficial metrics.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.71 (comparative valuation of gems; qualities vs defects)

FAQs

What is the importance of qualities (guṇas) in this Garuda Purana verse?

The verse teaches that intrinsic qualities determine true worth—just as a high-quality emerald can surpass a ruby in value, a person’s virtues can outweigh external status or possessions.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana’s broader moral teaching?

It uses a gemstone analogy to reinforce a recurring Purāṇic theme: merit is not merely measured by outward measures, but by inner excellence—conduct, character, and cultivated virtues.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prioritize integrity, self-discipline, and good conduct over display and prestige; long-term respect and “value” come from character, not mere outward measures.