Shloka 25
The Examination of Pearls and Padmarāga (Ruby): Origins, Marks, Defects, and Valuation
संप्राप्य चोत्क्षिप्य यथानुवृत्तिं विभर्तियः सर्वगुणानतीव / तुल्यप्रमाणस्य च तुल्यजातेर्यो वा गुरुत्वेन भवेत्तु तुल्यः / प्राप्यापि रत्नाकरजा स्वजातिं लक्षेद्गुरुत्वेन गुणेन विद्वान्
saṃprāpya cotkṣipya yathānuvṛttiṃ vibhartiyaḥ sarvaguṇānatīva / tulyapramāṇasya ca tulyajāteryo vā gurutvena bhavettu tulyaḥ / prāpyāpi ratnākarajā svajātiṃ lakṣedgurutvena guṇena vidvān
ผู้ใดได้ตำแหน่งแล้วก้าวสูงขึ้นตามลำดับอันควร และทรงไว้ซึ่งคุณธรรมอันยิ่งใหญ่ ผู้นั้นแม้อยู่ท่ามกลางผู้มีขนาดและชาติกำเนิดเสมอกัน ก็ย่อมเป็นผู้ ‘หนักแน่น’ (ทรงคุณยิ่ง) ด้วยคุณความดี. ดุจรัตนะที่เกิดจากมหาสมุทร แม้ได้ชนิดเดียวกัน แต่บัณฑิตย่อมรู้ค่าด้วยน้ำหนักและคุณอันประเสริฐ—ความยิ่งใหญ่พึงรู้ด้วยคุณธรรม।
Lord Viṣṇu (in discourse to Garuḍa/Vainateya)
Concept: True eminence (‘gurutva’) comes from guṇa (inner excellence), not merely equal measure, equal birth, or shared origin; the wise assess worth by weight/quality like gem appraisal.
Vedantic Theme: Guṇa-prādhānya and adhikāra: inner qualification outweighs external sameness; sāra-grāhitā (grasping the essential).
Application: In leadership, hiring, and self-cultivation: prioritize demonstrated virtues and competence over pedigree, labels, or superficial parity.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: cosmic-geographic feature (ocean)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.70 (nīti-like conclusion to ratna-parīkṣā: guṇa and gurutva)
FAQs
This verse stresses that true eminence (gurutva) arises from virtues and excellence of character, not merely from equal birth, status, or external measure.
It reinforces a dharma-centered evaluation of a person: the wise discern real worth by inner qualities—using the metaphor of a jewel whose value is known by its weight and excellence, not by origin alone.
Prioritize integrity, learning, restraint, and service over social labels; assess leaders and oneself by consistent conduct and virtue rather than background or appearances.