DIFFERENT SACRED PEARLS (Sri Garuda Puranam: Chap. 69)

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Besides oyster pearls there are seven other types found in conch shells, wild

boars' heads, elephant heads, king cobra's heads, bamboo stems, clouds,

and fish heads.

 

Pearls from elephant heads, bamboo stems, boar heads, fish mouths, and

conch shells are lusterless, even though possessed of other auspicious

qualities. Pearls from conch shells are usually the size of a large kona (the

large and of a drum stick), and they possess a color similar to their host

shell.

 

Fish pearls are perfectly round and symmetrical. They possess a yellowish

hue like the scales of the pathenam fish which often inhabit the mouths of

deep sea whales.

 

Boar pearls are colored like a boar's tusks and are found only in remote parts

of the world. Such pearls are auspicious symbols of the Varaha board

incarnation of the Supreme Lord, Sri Vishnu.

 

Pearls derived from bamboo appear like hailstones in color, and they are

found only within bamboo that has grown in a region populated by religious

people.

 

Pearls from the cobra's hood are perfectly round, like fish pearls, and they

radiate a natural effulgence. By repeated washing, a snake pearl becomes as

lustrous as a polished sword blade. Anyone possessing such a naga-mani

attains piety, rare good fortune, and eventually becomes illustrious as a

leader of men, complete with a great collection of all precious gems.

 

Upon acquiring such a snake pearl, the owner should have the rite of

installation performed y a priest who is learned in religious formalities. After

hearing from the owner how the pearl was obtained and conducting the

benedictory ritual, the priest should formally install the jewel inside the

owner's house. On such an auspicious occasion, the sky becomes filled with

dark and heavy rain clouds, thunder, and flashing lightning, such as exhibited

at the time of universal dissolution. A man in possession of such a snake

pearl will never be troubled by snakes, demonic beings diseases, or

disturbances in any form.

 

Cloud pearls, being naturally effulgent like the sun, illuminate the sky in all

directions and dispel the darkness of cloudy days. Glowing brighter than the

combined light of the moon, the twinkling stars, and fire, a cloud-born pearl

dissipates even the darkest night exactly like the sunrise. A cloud pearl is so

priceless that the entire earth, with here oceans filled with countless jewels

and covered in layers of gold, would not be equal in value. Cloud pearls

rarely reach this earthly world, because they are usually taken away by the

demigods.

 

Even a low born man would become supreme ruler of the entire world if, as

result of some past pious actions, he were to come into possession of such a

pearl. The appearance of such a man on earth who obtained a cloud pearl

during his lifetime would bring good fortune not only to himself, but to the

entire human race as well. No form of evil could even touch the land within an

8,000 mile radius of his birthplace.