Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

वज्रं मुक्तामणयः सपद्मरागाः समरकताः प्रोक्ताः / अपि चेन्द्रनीलमणिवरवैदूर्याः पुष्परागाश्च

Transliteration

vajraṃ muktāmaṇayaḥ sapadmarāgāḥ samarakatāḥ proktāḥ / api cendranīlamaṇivaravaidūryāḥ puṣparāgāśca

Translation

金刚石、珠宝（珍珠）、莲华红宝（Padmarāga，红宝石）与翡翠（Smarakata，祖母绿）被称为珍贵宝石；又有因陀罗青（Indranīla，蓝宝石）、上等猫眼（Vaidūrya）与黄宝（Puṣparāga，黄玉）。

Word by Word

• वज्रम्: diamond
• वज्रम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वज्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• मुक्ता-मणयः: pearls and gems
• मुक्ता-मणयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुक्ता (प्रातिपदिक) + मणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्वः (मुक्ताश्च मणयश्च)

• स-पद्मरागाः: along with rubies
• स-पद्मरागाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स (अव्यय/उपपद) + पद्मराग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; समासः—अव्ययीभावः (‘सह’ अर्थे)

• स-मरकताः: along with emeralds
• स-मरकताः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स (अव्यय/उपपद) + मरकत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; समासः—अव्ययीभावः (‘सह’ अर्थे)

• प्रोक्ताः: are said/declared
• प्रोक्ताः: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + वच् (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle/क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha/Discourse (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अप्यर्थक-निपात (particle ‘also’)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Discourse (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction ‘and’)

• इन्द्रनील-मणिवर-वैदूर्याः: sapphires, excellent gems, and cat’s-eyes (vaidūrya)
• इन्द्रनील-मणिवर-वैदूर्याः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्रनील (प्रातिपदिक) + मणिवर (प्रातिपदिक) + वैदूर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्वः (इन्द्रनीलाश्च मणिवराश्च वैदूर्याश्च)

• पुष्परागाः: topazes (puṣparāga)
• पुष्परागाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुष्पराग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Discourse (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction ‘and’)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śāstric classification: naming and distinguishing ratnas is a form of ordered knowledge (saṃjñā-jñāna) foundational for later testing and use.

Vedantic Theme: Vyavahāra-level knowledge: correct naming and discrimination as prerequisites for right action.

Application: Learn standard gem taxonomy to avoid confusion and fraud; use correct identification before attributing value or efficacy.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana ratna-saṅgraha/ratna-parīkṣā continuation in 1.68.10–11

FAQs

What is the importance of gemstones mentioned in the Garuda Purana?

This verse catalogs recognized precious gems, reflecting traditional classifications of valuable substances discussed in the text’s descriptive and didactic sections.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly discuss the soul’s journey; it belongs to a descriptive passage enumerating valuable gems rather than afterlife doctrine.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reference for traditional Sanskrit gemstone terminology and careful identification of classical gem names in study, translation, or ritual-cultural contexts.