Shloka 39

Ratna-parīkṣā: Vajra (Diamond/Thunderbolt) — Origin, Types, Testing, Defects, Weights, and Royal Auspiciousness

Devanagari script

अल्पेनापि हि दोषेण लक्ष्यालक्ष्येण द्वषितम् / स्व (स) मूल्याद्दशमं भागं वज्रं लभति मानवः

Transliteration

alpenāpi hi doṣeṇa lakṣyālakṣyeṇa dvaṣitam / sva (sa) mūlyāddaśamaṃ bhāgaṃ vajraṃ labhati mānavaḥ

Translation

แม้มีตำหนิเพียงเล็กน้อย—จะเห็นได้หรือมองไม่เห็น—สิ่งนั้นย่อมมัวหมอง; ครั้นแล้วคนย่อมได้วัชระนั้นเพียงหนึ่งในสิบของราคาที่ควรเป็น.

Word by Word

• alpena: by a small
• alpena: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: alpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (instrumental singular)

• api: even
• api: Sambandha (Emphasis/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अपि-शब्दः (even particle)

• hi: indeed/for
• hi: Sambandha (Discourse/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: हेतौ/निश्चयार्थक-अव्यय (indeed/for)

• doṣeṇa: by a defect
• doṣeṇa: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: doṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन (instrumental singular)

• lakṣya-alakṣyeṇa: by (defects) visible and invisible
• lakṣya-alakṣyeṇa: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣya (प्रातिपदिक) + alakṣya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (लक्ष्यं च अलक्ष्यं च)

• dūṣitam: spoiled/tainted
• dūṣitam: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √dūṣ (दूष् धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (tainted)

• sva-mūlyāt: from its own value
• sva-mūlyāt: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + mūlya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/अपादान), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (स्वस्य मूल्यं)

• daśamam: tenth
• daśamam: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: daśama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; क्रमवाचक-विशेषणम्

• bhāgam: a portion/share
• bhāgam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• vajram: diamond
• vajram: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vajra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन (accusative singular)

• labhati: obtains/gets
• labhati: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √labh (लभ् धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• mānavaḥ: a man/person
• mānavaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mānava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Even minor दोष (defect) produces disproportionate परिणाम (consequence); the unseen also bears fruit.

Vedantic Theme: Sūkṣma-kāraṇa (subtle causes) yielding tangible effects; necessity of viveka and vigilance.

Application: Inspect for both visible and hidden defects; account for risk/quality in pricing and commitments.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.68.39-40 (defects and valuation gradation)

FAQs

What is the importance of doṣa (defect) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that even a minor fault—seen or unseen—reduces worth, implying that purity in action and intention is central to dharma.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By stressing that subtle, unseen defects still carry consequences, it supports the Garuda Purana’s broader theme that inner dispositions (saṃskāras) shape karmic outcomes beyond death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain integrity in both outward behavior and inner motives; even small lapses (especially hidden ones) can greatly diminish trust, merit, and the quality of one’s results.