Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 7

Chapter 245 — रत्नपरीक्षा

Examination of Gems

Devanagari script

सुवर्णप्रतिबद्धानि रत्नानि श्रीजयादिके अन्तःप्रभत्वं वैमल्यं सुसंस्थानत्वमेव च

Transliteration

suvarṇapratibaddhāni ratnāni śrījayādike antaḥprabhatvaṃ vaimalyaṃ susaṃsthānatvameva ca

Translation

Những bảo thạch được nạm trong vàng—như các loại Śrī, Jaya và những loại tương cận—phải có ánh sáng nội tại, độ trong sạch (không tì vết), và hình thể cân xứng, đoan chính.

Word by Word

• सुवर्णप्रतिबद्धानि: bound/set in gold
• सुवर्णप्रतिबद्धानि: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुवर्ण + प्रतिबद्ध (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-भूतकृदन्त ‘प्रतिबद्ध’ from प्रति+√बन्ध्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (रत्नानि इत्यस्य); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सुवर्णेन प्रतिबद्धानि)

• रत्नानि: gems
• रत्नानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• श्रीजयादिके: in the group beginning with Śrījaya (etc.)
• श्रीजयादिके: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रीजय + आदि + क (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; समासः—‘श्रीजय’ इत्यादि (आदि-तत्पुरुष/समाहार) + ‘-क’ प्रत्ययान्त (group/collection)

• अन्तःप्रभत्वम्: inner radiance
• अन्तःप्रभत्वम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तः + प्रभ + त्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; अव्ययीभावः (अन्तः ‘within’ + प्रभत्व ‘brightness/shine-ness’)

• वैमल्यम्: clarity, purity
• वैमल्यम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विमल + य (प्रातिपदिक; भाववाचक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; भाववाचक-नाम (abstract noun)

• सुसंस्थानत्वम्: well-formedness, good shape
• सुसंस्थानत्वम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु + संस्थान + त्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपसर्गपूर्वक-तत्पुरुषः (सु- ‘well’ + संस्थान ‘shape’ + -त्व abstract)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (emphasis)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

Speaker

Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s technical compendium style)

Vidya Category

Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Quality control for gems intended for mounting in gold—criteria for acceptance in jewelry, trade valuation, and auspicious wearing.","sutra_style":true}

Encyclopedic Reference

Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Suvarṇa-pratibaddha-ratna Lakṣaṇa (Inner radiance, clarity, good form)","lookup_keywords":["suvarṇa-pratibaddha","ratna-lakṣaṇa","antaḥprabhā","vaimalya","su-saṃsthāna"],"quick_summary":"Gold-set gems (e.g., Śrī, Jaya types) are approved when they show inner radiance, blemishless clarity, and well-formed shape—core acceptance marks for ratna-parīkṣā."}

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Lakṣaṇa-based pramāṇa (criteria) for judging worth and auspicious suitability of objects.

Application: Adopt objective markers (radiance, clarity, proportion) to avoid defective purchases and inauspicious wear.

Khanda Section

Khanda Section: Ratna-pariksha (Gemology / Lakshana-shastra within the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic technical sections)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A goldsmith and gem-examiner inspect a gemstone to be set in gold, checking inner glow, clarity, and symmetry before mounting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan-guru holding a gem against light, gold setting tools nearby, stylized radiance lines, traditional borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold leaf emphasizing the gold mount and gem brilliance, jeweler presenting a flawless stone, ornate workshop setting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine brushwork showing gem transparency and symmetrical cut, instructional posture, calm palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene with goldsmith, magnifying lens-like inspection, detailed textures of gold and gemstone, neat composition."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुसंस्थानत्वमेव = सुसंस्थानत्वम् + एव

Cross References

Related Themes: Agni Purana 245 (ratna-parīkṣā: guṇa/doṣa, dhāraṇa-vidhi)

Characters & Entities

• Agni Purana
• Ratna (gems)
• Suvarṇa (gold)
• Śrī
• Jaya

FAQs

What technical or ritual knowledge (Vidya) is imparted in this verse?

It gives ratna-parīkṣā (gem-evaluation) criteria for gold-set gems: inner brilliance (antaḥprabhā), blemish-free clarity (vaimalya), and proper symmetry/shape (susaṃsthāna).

How does this verse contribute to the 'Encyclopedic' nature of the Agni Purana?

By codifying practical standards for assessing precious materials (gemology and craftsmanship), it shows the Agni Purana’s scope beyond theology—preserving technical knowledge used in ornamentation, value assessment, and auspicious selection.

What is the spiritual or karmic significance of this specific instruction?

Selecting pure, well-formed, radiant gems for adornment or gifting aligns with auspiciousness (śubha-lakṣaṇa) and is traditionally believed to support prosperity and reduce inauspicious influence associated with flawed or impure objects.