Shloka 4

Vidruma (Coral): Origin, Color-Types, Qualities, and the Introduction to Testing Pulaka, Rudhirākṣa, Sphaṭika, and Vidruma

Devanagari script

धनधान्यकरं लोके विषार्तिभयनाशनम् / परीक्षा पुलकस्योक्ता रुधिराक्षस्य वै मणेः / स्फटिकस्य विद्रुमस्य रत्नज्ञानाय शौनक !

Transliteration

dhanadhānyakaraṃ loke viṣārtibhayanāśanam / parīkṣā pulakasyoktā rudhirākṣasya vai maṇeḥ / sphaṭikasya vidrumasya ratnajñānāya śaunaka !

Translation

Viên ngọc ấy được nói là đem lại tiền của và lương thực trong đời, và xua tan nỗi sợ do trúng độc. Hỡi Śaunaka, vì tri kiến về châu ngọc, nay sẽ nói cách khảo nghiệm ngọc Pulaka và bảo châu Rudhirākṣa, cùng pha lê (sphaṭika) và san hô (vidruma).

Word by Word

• धनधान्यकरम्: producing wealth and grain
• धनधान्यकरम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धन + धान्य + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (धनं धान्यं च करोति इति) (neuter nom/acc sg)

• लोके: in the world
• लोके: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन (locative singular)

• विषार्तिभयनाशनम्: destroyer of fear from poison-affliction
• विषार्तिभयनाशनम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष + आर्ति + भय + नाशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (विष-आर्ति-भयस्य नाशनम्) (neuter nom/acc sg)

• परीक्षा: examination/test
• परीक्षा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परीक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (nominative singular)

• पुलकस्य: of Pulaka
• पुलकस्य: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुलक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन (genitive singular)

• उक्ता: has been stated
• उक्ता: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु) → उक्त (कृदन्त-भूतकृत)
• Form: भूतकृत् (past passive participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'परीक्षा' इत्यस्य विधेय (fem nom sg)

• रुधिराक्षस्य: of Rudhirākṣa (red-eyed; name)
• रुधिराक्षस्य: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुधिर + अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (रुधिरम् इव अक्षि यस्य) (genitive singular)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (Discourse/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic particle)

• मणेः: of the gem
• मणेः: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन (genitive singular)

• स्फटिकस्य: of crystal
• स्फटिकस्य: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्फटिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन (genitive singular)

• विद्रुमस्य: of coral
• विद्रुमस्य: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्रुम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन (genitive singular)

• रत्नज्ञानाय: for knowledge of gems
• रत्नज्ञानाय: Sampradana (Purpose/Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रत्न + ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (रत्नस्य ज्ञानम्; तस्मै) (dative singular)

• शौनक: O Śaunaka
• शौनक: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शौनक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन (vocative singular)

Speaker

Suta (Sauti) speaking to the sages, addressing Shaunaka (context: discourse on gem-lore/ratna-pariksha)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Proper knowledge (ratna-jñāna) and testing (parīkṣā) guide right use of powerful objects that can confer prosperity and protection.

Vedantic Theme: Right knowledge as a means to right action; śāstra-guided discernment prevents error and harm.

Application: Use tested, authentic gems; rely on expert evaluation; treat claims of protection (e.g., against poison) as contingent on proper identification and quality.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.80.1-1.80.3 on coral origin, varieties, and ideal qualities; Adjacent ratna-parīkṣā sections on other gems (contextual)

Characters & Entities

• Shaunaka

FAQs

What is the importance of Ratna-parīkṣā (gem examination) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames gem-examination as practical knowledge: identifying specific gems and their effects—such as prosperity and protection from poison-related fear—so one can discern and use gemstones appropriately.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not address the soul’s post-death journey; instead, it belongs to a section on ratna-jñāna (knowledge of gems), focusing on worldly welfare and protective properties attributed to certain jewels.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a cue for careful verification and authenticity checks before adopting any gemstone practice—prioritizing discernment (parīkṣā) over mere claims about benefits like prosperity or protection.