Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 8
Chapter 245 — रत्नपरीक्षा
Examination of Gems
सुधार्या नैव धार्यास्तु निष्प्रभा मलिनास् तथा खण्डाः सशर्करा ये च प्रशस्तं वज्रधरणम्
sudhāryā naiva dhāryāstu niṣprabhā malinās tathā khaṇḍāḥ saśarkarā ye ca praśastaṃ vajradharaṇam
เพชรที่ต้องซ่อมแซมไม่ควรสวมใส่; เช่นเดียวกับเพชรที่ไร้ประกาย มัวหมอง แตกหัก หรือมีเม็ดทรายปน ควรละเว้น การสวมเพชรที่ดีเลิศไร้ตำหนิเท่านั้นจึงเป็นที่ยอมรับ
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha, the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Reject-list for diamonds: avoid wearing repairable, dull, impure, fractured, or gritty stones; select only faultless diamond for auspicious and protective use.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vajra-doṣa Parityāga (Rejection of defective diamonds)","lookup_keywords":["vajra-doṣa","niṣprabha","malina","khaṇḍa","saśarkara"],"quick_summary":"Do not wear diamonds that are repairable/compromised, lusterless, dirty, broken, or gritty; only a praised, faultless diamond is approved for dhāraṇā."}
Concept: Śubha-aśubha discrimination in objects used for dhāraṇā; purity and integrity as prerequisites for auspicious efficacy.
Application: Apply strict rejection criteria in procurement and personal wearing to prevent harm/inauspicious outcomes.
Khanda Section: Vastu / Ratna-Pariksha (Gemology & Material Examination)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A gem examiner sorts diamonds into rejected piles—dull, dirty, cracked, gritty—keeping only one flawless diamond for wearing.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, clear icon-like rejected stones shown with distinct defect marks, examiner’s hand selecting the bright flawless vajra, ritual purity ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold leaf on the approved diamond and its setting, rejected stones rendered darker, didactic composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional chart-like layout of diamond defects with a central flawless exemplar, delicate outlines and labels.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, merchant’s desk with sorted gemstones, meticulous depiction of cracks and inclusions, patron observing the selection."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नैव = न + एव; धार्यास्तु = धार्याः + तु
Related Themes: Agni Purana 245 (vajra-lakṣaṇa, doṣa, dhāraṇa)
FAQs
It gives ratna-parīkṣā (gem-testing) criteria: do not wear diamonds that are repairable, dull, stained, cracked, or gritty; only a flawless, praised diamond is suitable for ornamentation.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical standards for material selection and auspicious ornament use—part of the Purana’s wide coverage of vastu, omens, and technical knowledge applied to daily life.
In the puranic worldview, wearing defective gems is inauspicious and may disturb prosperity or well-being, while wearing a faultless, approved gem supports auspiciousness and orderly dharmic living.