Shloka 50
Ratna-parīkṣā: Vajra (Diamond/Thunderbolt) — Origin, Types, Testing, Defects, Weights, and Royal Auspiciousness
न तेषां प्रतिबद्धानां भा भवत्यूर्ध्वगामिनी / तिर्यक् क्षतत्वात्केषाञ्चित्कथञ्चिद्यदि जायते / तिर्यग्विलिख्यमानानां सा (स) पार्श्वेषु विहन्यते
na teṣāṃ pratibaddhānāṃ bhā bhavatyūrdhvagāminī / tiryak kṣatatvātkeṣāñcitkathañcidyadi jāyate / tiryagvilikhyamānānāṃ sā (sa) pārśveṣu vihanyate
प्रतिबद्धानां तेषां भा न भवत्य ऊर्ध्वगामिनी। केषाञ्चित् तिर्यक्-क्षतत्वात् कथञ्चिदपि यदि जायते, तिर्यग्विलिख्यमानानां सा भा पार्श्वेषु विहन्यते।
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Right method preserves inherent excellence; wrong constraints and misaligned actions suppress natural radiance.
Vedantic Theme: Guṇa-prakāśa (manifestation of qualities) depends on upādhi (conditions); improper upādhi obscures brilliance—an analogy to how ignorance/constraints veil the self’s light.
Application: Do not over-constrain people or processes; align interventions with natural structure to let capability ‘shine’ (good management, good craftsmanship).
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.68: gem-setting and luster considerations in surrounding verses
FAQs
In this verse, bhā indicates the preta’s vital luster/energy that enables upward movement; when the being is “bound” by restraints, that ascending capacity is blocked or diminished.
It describes an obstructed ascent: for certain pretas the upward-going force does not arise, and even when it does, it is weakened or struck down due to damaging constraints—signaling karmic impediments in the post-death journey.
Live in a way that reduces binding karmas (harm, deceit, excess), and support dharmic rites and remembrance for the departed—aimed at removing obstacles and strengthening the soul’s onward journey.