Shloka 10

Vaidūrya (Cat’s-eye) Examination: Origin, Auspicious Marks, Imitations, and Valuation Measures

Devanagari script

लिख्याभावात्काचं लघुभावाच्छैसुपालकं विद्यात् / गिरिकाचसदीप्तित्वात्स्फटिकं वर्णोज्ज्वलत्वेन

Transliteration

likhyābhāvātkācaṃ laghubhāvācchaisupālakaṃ vidyāt / girikācasadīptitvātsphaṭikaṃ varṇojjvalatvena

Translation

جس پر خراش نہ پڑے اسے شیشہ جانو؛ ہلکے پن کی وجہ سے اسے شَیشُپالک (ہلکی نقل) سمجھو۔ جو گِرِکاش کی طرح چمکے وہ سفٹک ہے، اور رنگ کی درخشانی سے بھی پہچانا جاتا ہے۔

Word by Word

• लिख्याभावात्: due to absence of scratchability/marking
• लिख्याभावात्: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लिख्य + अभाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; हेत्वर्थे पञ्चमी; तत्पुरुषसमासः (लिख्यस्य अभावः)

• काचम्: glass
• काचम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• लघुभावात्: due to lightness
• लघुभावात्: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लघु + भाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; हेत्वर्थे पञ्चमी; तत्पुरुषसमासः (लघोः भावः)

• शैसुपालकम्: śaiśupālaka (a glass variety)
• शैसुपालकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिशुपालक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• विद्यात्: one should know/identify
• विद्यात्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √विद् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• गिरिकाचसदीप्तित्वात्: due to having the brightness of mountain-glass
• गिरिकाचसदीप्तित्वात्: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गिरिकाच + सदीप्ति + त्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; हेत्वर्थे पञ्चमी; तत्पुरुषसमासः (गिरिकाचस्य सदीप्तित्वम्)

• स्फटिकम्: crystal
• स्फटिकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्फटिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• वर्णोज्ज्वलत्वेन: by (its) color-brightness
• वर्णोज्ज्वलत्वेन: Karana (Instrument/Means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ण + उज्ज्वल + त्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; करण/लक्षणार्थे तृतीया; तत्पुरुषसमासः (वर्णस्य उज्ज्वलत्वम्)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Pramāṇa by lakṣaṇa: knowledge through tests and observable marks rather than mere appearance.

Vedantic Theme: Yathārtha-jñāna via pratyakṣa/anumāna; disciplined inquiry (vicāra).

Application: Use repeatable tests (scratch test, heft/weight, luster) to distinguish substances; prefer method over assumption.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.73 (tests for distinguishing vaidurya and substitutes)

FAQs

What is the importance of identifying sphaṭika (crystal) in Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes discernment between true crystal and look-alikes, supporting purity and correctness in dharmic/ritual materials.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly discuss the soul’s journey; it teaches practical discrimination (viveka) in recognizing substances—an aspect of right conduct (ācāra).

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Apply careful verification—don’t rely on appearance alone; assess qualities (e.g., scratch-resistance, weight, luster) before accepting something as genuine.