Shloka 16

Indranīla (Blue Sapphire): Source-Myth, Grades, Tests, Substitutes, and Price

Devanagari script

इन्द्रनीलो यथा कश्चिद्विभर्त्याताम्रवर्णताम् / रक्षणयौ तथा ताम्रौ करवीरोत्पलावुभौ

Transliteration

indranīlo yathā kaścidvibhartyātāmravarṇatām / rakṣaṇayau tathā tāmrau karavīrotpalāvubhau

Translation

جس طرح اندرنِیل کبھی تانبئی رنگت اختیار کر لیتا ہے، اسی طرح کرَوِیر اور اُتپل—دونوں تانبئی ہوں تو ‘رَکشن’ یعنی محافظ اثر رکھنے والے مانے جاتے ہیں۔

Word by Word

• इन्द्रनीलः: indranīla (sapphire)
• इन्द्रनीलः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्रनील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• यथा: as/just as
• यथा: Sambandha (Comparison/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (comparative particle)

• कश्चित्: some (one)
• कश्चित्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; अनिश्चितवाचक-सर्वनाम

• विभर्ति: bears/displays
• विभर्ति: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भृ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• आ-ताम्र-वर्णताम्: a coppery coloration
• आ-ताम्र-वर्णताम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आ (उपसर्ग) + ताम्र (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्णता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (‘ताम्रस्य वर्णता’); उपसर्ग ‘आ’ = ‘पर्यन्त/समन्तात्’ इत्यर्थे (intensifier)

• रक्षणयौ: the two ‘rakṣaṇa’ (protective stones/varieties)
• रक्षणयौ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), द्विवचन

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Comparison/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb: ‘likewise’)

• ताम्रौ: copper-colored
• ताम्रौ: Karta (Qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ताम्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), द्विवचन

• करवीर-उत्पलौ: karavīra and utpala
• करवीर-उत्पलौ: Karta (Apposition/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: करवीर (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्पल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), द्विवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्वः (करवीरश्च उत्पलश्च)

• उभौ: both
• उभौ: Karta (Qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), द्विवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Auspicious signs in material objects are read as indicators of protective potency; proper selection yields beneficial outcomes.

Vedantic Theme: Karma and upāya: worldly supports (ratna/rakṣā) as auxiliary means within dharmic life, subordinate to right conduct.

Application: When choosing protective stones, attend to recognized auspicious features; use as rakṣā only after proper identification and tradition-consistent handling.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: protective/amulet context (rakṣā)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.72: gem qualities and effects; rakṣā-related statements in ratna sections (contextual continuity)

Characters & Entities

• Indranīla (sapphire)
• Karavīra (oleander)
• Utpala (lotus)

FAQs

What is the importance of rakṣā (protection) substances in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats certain naturally auspicious items—like specific gems and plants marked by a coppery hue—as having rakṣā value, i.e., they are recommended as protective aids within the text’s ritual/auspiciousness framework.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on ritual practice?

Rather than describing the after-death journey here, the chapter’s tone is practical: it classifies materials (gems/plants) by observable qualities (like color) and assigns them protective utility for ritual or household safeguarding.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use the verse as a reminder to follow tradition with discernment: if employing ritual items for protection, prioritize purity, intention, and scriptural/teacher guidance over superstition, and avoid harmful handling of toxic plants like karavīra.