Shloka 12
Vaidūrya (Cat’s-eye) Examination: Origin, Auspicious Marks, Imitations, and Valuation Measures
जात्यस्य सर्वे ऽपि मणेस्तु यादृग्विजातयः सन्ति समानवर्णाः / तथापि नानाकरणानुमेयभेदप्रकारः परमः प्रदिष्टः
jātyasya sarve 'pi maṇestu yādṛgvijātayaḥ santi samānavarṇāḥ / tathāpi nānākaraṇānumeyabhedaprakāraḥ paramaḥ pradiṣṭaḥ
同一类宝石的诸多品种，或可呈现相同色相；然而至上教诲宣示：其差别多端——可由各自不同的成因，以及由此推知的辨别之相而明了。
Lord Viṣṇu (teaching Garuḍa)
Concept: Sameness of color does not imply sameness of kind; differences are inferred from causes and distinguishing marks.
Vedantic Theme: Nāma-rūpa can mislead; true differentiation requires insight into kāraṇa (cause) and lakṣaṇa (mark).
Application: In people, objects, and ideas, do not equate surface similarity with identity; investigate origins, processes, and consistent indicators.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.73 (discussion of jāti/vijāti and lakṣaṇa)
FAQs
It teaches that outward sameness (like color) can hide real distinctions, so one should judge by underlying causes and reliable indicators rather than appearances.
It supports careful discernment in dharma: proper decisions depend on understanding subtle differences—recognized through valid signs and reasoning—not merely superficial similarity.
Avoid judging people, actions, or rituals only by outward form; examine motives, causes, and observable outcomes before concluding what is truly beneficial or harmful.