Shloka 52

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

Devanagari script

सौदा मिनीविस्फुरिताभिरामं राजा यथोक्तं कलिशं दधानः / पराक्रमाक्रान्तपरप्रतापः समस्तसामन्तभुवं भुनक्ति

Transliteration

saudā minīvisphuritābhirāmaṃ rājā yathoktaṃ kaliśaṃ dadhānaḥ / parākramākrāntaparapratāpaḥ samastasāmantabhuvaṃ bhunakti

Translation

Như lời đã nói, nhà vua đội vương miện rực sáng như châu báu; với dũng lực lấn át uy quang của các vua đối địch, ngài an hưởng và trị vì trọn vẹn cõi nước của hết thảy chư vương chư hầu.

Word by Word

• सौदा: Saudā (proper name)
• सौदा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सौदा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेष्य-रूपेण (as a descriptor/epithet)

• मिनीविस्फुरिताभिरामम्: beautiful with gem-like flashing
• मिनीविस्फुरिताभिरामम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मिनी + विस्फुरित + अभिराम (प्रातिपदिक); अभिराम (विशेषण-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (मिनी-विस्फुरितेन अभिरामम् = 'beautiful with the flashing of a gem')

• राजा: the king
• राजा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• यथोक्तम्: as said/according to instruction
• यथोक्तम्: Kriya-visheshaṇa (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + उक्त (कृदन्त; √वच् (धातु))
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्यय-रूपेण (adverbial)

• कलिशम्: a sword/dagger (kaliśa)
• कलिशम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कलिश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• दधानः: bearing/holding
• दधानः: Karta (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √धा (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकालिक-कर्तरि शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; 'धारयन्' (bearing)

• पराक्रमाक्रान्तपरप्रतापः: whose valor has subdued the enemies’ might
• पराक्रमाक्रान्तपरप्रतापः: Karta (Subject-qualifier/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पराक्रम + आक्रान्त (कृदन्त; √क्रम्/√क्रन्द्? here 'ākrānta' from √क्रम्) + पर + प्रताप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—'येन परप्रतापः पराक्रमेण आक्रान्तः सः'

• समस्तसामन्तभुवम्: the whole land of vassals/feudatories
• समस्तसामन्तभुवम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समस्त + सामन्त + भुव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—'समस्तानां सामन्तानां भुवम्'

• भुनक्ति: enjoys/rules
• भुनक्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भुज् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Uncertain from single-verse input (Garuda Purana dialogue is typically Lord Vishnu addressing Garuda; confirm with surrounding verses).

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Rajadharma: legitimate sovereignty is upheld by valor, proper insignia, and the capacity to protect and unify subordinate rulers.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as a stabilizing order within prakriti; worldly power is meaningful when aligned with duty rather than mere ego.

Application: Leadership ethic: cultivate competence and courage, maintain symbols of office with restraint, and govern for stability and protection rather than vanity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Geographic Context

Type: royal court/kingdom

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.68 (royal/ratna/ornament context leading into gem-lore chapters)

FAQs

What is the importance of righteous kingship in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames kingship as ordered sovereignty—an ideal ruler bears regal insignia and legitimately governs a network of subordinate rulers through valor and authority.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly discuss the soul’s journey; instead, it describes worldly rulership, which in Purāṇic ethics is tied to dharma and the karmic outcomes of just or unjust governance.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat authority as stewardship: lead with discipline and legitimacy, avoid oppressive rivalry, and maintain order through dharma rather than mere force.