The Examination of the Pulaka

Verse 1 (garuda.1.77.1)

॥सूत उवाच ॥ पुण्येषु पर्वतवरेषु च निम्नगासु स्थानान्तरेषु च तथोत्तरदेशगत्वात् ॥ संस्थापिताः स्वनखबाहुगतेः प्रकाशं संपूज्य दानवपतिं प्रथिते प्रदेशे

.sūta uvāca . puṇyeṣu parvatavareṣu ca nimnagāsu sthānāntareṣu ca tathottaradeśagatvāt . saṁsthāpitāḥ svanakhabāhugateḥ prakāśaṁ saṁpūjya dānavapatiṁ prathite pradeśe

Suta said: In excellent, sacred mountains, in rivers, and in other places, and even having gone to the northern region — deposited by the movement of the demon-king's own claws and arms, honoring the lord of demons in that renowned region —

Verse 2 (garuda.1.77.2)

दाशार्णवागदर (व) मेकलकालगादौ गुञ्जाञ्जनक्षौद्रमृणालवर्णाः ॥ गन्धर्ववह्निकदलीसदृशावभासा एते प्रशस्ताः पुलकाः प्रसूताः

dāśārṇavāgadara (va) mekalakālagādau guñjāñjanakṣaudramṛṇālavarṇāḥ . gandharvavahnikadalīsadṛśāvabhāsā ete praśastāḥ pulakāḥ prasūtāḥ

in Dasharnava, Agada, Ekala, Kalaga, and the like — of the color of gunja-seed, collyrium, honey, and lotus-fiber, with a brilliance resembling celestial fire and the plantain — these excellent pulaka gems arise.

Verse 3 (garuda.1.77.3)

शङ्खाब्जभृङ्गार्कविचित्रभङ्गा सूत्रैरु (र्व्य) पेताः परमाः पवित्राः ॥ मङ्गल्ययुक्ता बहुभक्तिचित्रा वृद्धिप्रदास्ते पुलका भवन्ति

śaṅkhābjabhṛṅgārkavicitrabhaṅgā sūtrairu (rvya) petāḥ paramāḥ pavitrāḥ . maṅgalyayuktā bahubhakticitrā vṛddhipradāste pulakā bhavanti

Endowed with the varied hues of conch, lotus, bee, and sun, with internal threading — supremely sacred, auspicious, richly variegated, and bestowers of increase — such are the pulaka gems.

Verse 4 (garuda.1.77.4)

काका (क.) श्वरासभसृगालवृकोग्ररूपैर्गृध्रैः समांसरुधिरार्द्रमुखैरुपेताः ॥ मृत्युप्रदाश्च विदुषा परिवर्जनीया मूल्यं पलस्य कथितं च शतानि पञ्च

kākā (ka.) śvarāsabhasṛgālavṛkograrūpairgṛdhraiḥ samāṁsarudhirārdramukhairupetāḥ . mṛtyupradāśca viduṣā parivarjanīyā mūlyaṁ palasya kathitaṁ ca śatāni pañca

Those marked with forms resembling crows, donkeys, buffaloes, jackals, fierce wolves, and vultures, with mouths moist with flesh and blood — these bring death, and the wise should avoid them. The price of a pala is declared to be five hundred.