Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 10
Chapter 245 — रत्नपरीक्षा
Examination of Gems
शुकपक्षनिभः स्निग्धः कान्तिमान्विमलस् तथा स्वर्णचूर्णनिभैः सूक्ष्मैर् मरकतश् च विन्दुभिः
śukapakṣanibhaḥ snigdhaḥ kāntimānvimalas tathā svarṇacūrṇanibhaiḥ sūkṣmair marakataś ca vindubhiḥ
其状应如鹦鹉之翼，润泽光滑，辉耀而无瑕；并应具细微如金粉之斑点，兼有如绿宝石般的点纹。
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) speaking to sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Visual criteria for identifying a high-quality gemstone (likely emerald/related ratna) by color-likeness, gloss, blemishlessness, and characteristic speckling—used in selection and valuation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Ratna-varṇa-bindu Lakṣaṇa (Parrot-wing sheen; gold-dust specks; emerald-like dots)","lookup_keywords":["śukapakṣa-nibha","snigdha","kāntimān","vaimala","marakata-bindu"],"quick_summary":"A superior stone is glossy and lustrous like a parrot’s wing, free from blemish, and shows minute gold-dust-like specks with emerald-like dotting—practical markers for ratna-parīkṣā."}
Alamkara Type: Upama
Concept: Perceptual pramāṇa (direct observation) as the basis of technical knowledge—judging by color, sheen, and minute signs.
Application: Train the eye to recognize quality markers before purchase, setting, or ritual wearing.
Khanda Section: Ratna-pariksha (Gemology) / Shilpa-shastra (Material science within Puranic encyclopedic topics)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Close inspection of a green, glossy gemstone: parrot-wing sheen, tiny gold-dust specks, and emerald-like dotted pattern under light.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, enlarged stylized gemstone with parrot-wing green gradients, dotted bindu pattern, examiner holding it to lamp light, decorative border.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gem rendered with rich green and gold leaf speckling, ornate frame, jeweler’s hands presenting the stone.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, technical close-up with delicate stippling for gold-dust specks and bindu, calm instructional composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic gemstone study on a velvet cloth, fine stippling for inclusions, artisan examining with focused gaze."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kedaragowla","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कान्तिमान्विमलस् = कान्तिमान् + विमलः; सूक्ष्मैर् = सूक्ष्मैः + (रेफादेशः); मरकतश् = मरकतैः + च (विसर्ग/श्चुत्व-सन्धि)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 245 (ratna-varṇa, guṇa/doṣa descriptions)
FAQs
It gives diagnostic visual criteria for an auspicious, high-quality green gemstone (marakata-type): parrot-wing color, glossy surface, clear brilliance, and fine gold-dust-like speckling with small dot-patterns.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana catalogues practical sciences; here it preserves a technical checklist for gem appraisal (ratna-parīkṣā), relevant to trade, ornamentation, and royal/temple valuables.
In the Purāṇic worldview, correctly identifying and using auspicious, blemish-free gems supports purity and auspiciousness in royal and ritual contexts, helping avoid inauspicious defects associated with flawed materials.