Gems and Astrology

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Astrology and gems are associated from times immemorial. Astrologers

often recommend gems and associate them to planets. While the

association is clear in so many classics, the wearing of gems for

particular planet is not mentioned in classics.

 

Associations are clear in Phaldeepika and Jatakparijat:

 

" Manikayam Tarne Sudharya mamalam Muktaphalam Sheetgo,

Maheyasya cha Vidrumam Markatam Saumyasya Garutmatsm,

Devedyasya cha PushparagamSuramatyasya Vajram Shane,

Neerlam NirmalManyayochashya Gadite GomedjhVaiduryake "

(Grahbehdadhyay, Sloka 29,Phaldeepika)

 

 

 

Vrihadjataka, Vrhat Samhita, Yukti Kalpataru, Rajvallabha, Shushrut

Samhita , Garud Purana refers to use of gems in certain conditions

and they associate gems to powerful magical properties.

 

" Dharnat tachh papalaxmi Vinashnam " (Rajvallabha)

" Pavitra Dharnayach Paya Laxmimalapaha " (Shushrut Shanita)

" Te te Yathapurvamatiprashasta Saubhagyasampatividhandayaka " (Yukti

Kalpataru)

 

Please note that 'Gems' refers to 'Ratna' and every stone is not

gemstone. Classics define " Ratna " according to following basis:

1. Gems taken out or mined on inauspicious Muhurta have ill affects

despite of being good in luster and appearance.

 

In " Ratnajati " chapter of Manimala, Sloka six reads

 

" Stones originating on inauspicious days and at unlucky moments are

not only void of any beneficial quality but are positively

harmful " (Ratnajati Adhyaya, Sloka 6, Manimala)

 

(Most of gems do not fulfill this criteria. This is because as a

Gemologist and gem buyer, I have come across several gemstones and

they are mined at commercial level and not on the basis of some

auspicious Muhurta )..

 

Same thing is mentioned in Chapter 68 of Garudpuranam. (Please

forgive me I have a translated version of Garudpuranam and Sloka

numbers are not mentioned)

 

2. Gems should be free of inclusions, spots, internal cracks and

should carry proper color. (90% of the gems sold by astrologers do

not fit this description). In " Ratnaparikshadhyay " of Vraht Shanita,

it is clearly mentioned:

" Ratnen Shubhen Shubham Bhavati Nripanaamanishthamshubhen,

Yasmadatah Parikshayam Devam Ratnashritam Tajagye "

 

Good, clean and gems of top quality bring good luck to emperors and

those which are of bad quality bring bad luck. Hence an astrologer

should first check the gem for quality and only then he should

provide it to others. Gems are carriers of fate.

3. Gems are worn after certain propitiation and rituals like removal

of negative influences through proper mantras.

 

Point 3 is my own view. I believe that only `Ratnas' defined in

classics should carry " Swapranavastha " (Self invoked state) and rest

of the gemstones are just stones. To energize them one needs proper

mantras to invoke their powers which are positioned in dormant

condition. This is the same as Idols of Deities need to

be " Pranpratishtith " before they are worshipped. But Shalagrams and

Dakshinavarti Shankas have their own powers and they are never

invoked through Mantras.

 

 

4. A gem which is powerful and fulfills above criteria gets devoid of

its power when the inheritor is an impure person. Please refer to the

epic related to Syamantak mani.

 

 

Prasena was the brother of Satrajita. Once Satrajita took up his

abode in the seacoast for the purpose of spending his time in

worshipping Sun. After he prayed long and intently, Surya dev

appeared before him. On being accosted, the divine Sun took out the

gem Syamantaka from his neck and laid it out. Sun gave this Priceless

jewel to Satrajita. It is said that on wearing the gem he appeared

refulgent like Sun and entered Dwarka. Satrajita later transferred it

to his brother Prasena. When own by a clean man Syamantak produced

gold, but to an unclean person it indubitably proved fatal. Prasena

decked this gem and rode hunting into the forest. He killed innocent

animals on account of which the gem altered his destiny. His impure

heart bought his untimely fatal death when a lion slew both the horse

and the horseman.

When we look at above criteria, it is very clear and evident that an

average man, who is bound by restrictions of average income cannot

possess above kind of " Ratnas " . Gems will come to you if you own a

powerful horoscope and trust me they will fit above definitions.

Considering the authenticity of wearing gems, certain classics do not

mention them as remedies. Rather, they are mentioned as powerful

Talismans related to certain planets.

 

Remedies include Mantra, tantra and Yantra for propitiation of

planets. It is a fact that your deeds can never be altered. Nothing

can entirely mitigate your deeds. But you can lower the intensity of

mishaps in your life if you can read what planets signify. A wise

astrologer can tell you about some prayer, a stone or a `yantra' that

will help you bear the fruits of your deeds. Your soul may never

escape the clutches of your `karmas' but with remedies or Parihar you

will get strengthened enough to bear that.

While remedies are meant for removal of harmful effects of planets,

talismans are entirely different things. They are meant for either

providing one with special supernormal powers or for some definitive

purpose. For instance gems can be recommended as remedies to a person

when a particular planet is weak but benefic. Through a gem one can

increase the intensity of its beneficence. But when a Mukta like

the " Shankhamukta " is worn, it will give you all round power, devoid

of its relation with any planet. This is because " Shakhamukta " is a

Devmani which carries special powers and charm.

 

In those times gems were not available easily. One cannot acquire

them because of the low grade methods of mining. Now with the advance

facilities of mining and lapidary, gems are within the reach of

certain class of people. Still they may or may not fulfill particular

criteria and may not affect people as been mentioned in classics.

For example in the " Ratnaparikshadyaya " sloka 14, Varahmihira

defines the qualities of a blessed diamond:

" SarvadravyaBhedya laghvambhasi tarati rashmivat Snighdham,

Tadidanlashaktrachapopamam cha Vajram Hitayoktam "

 

A diamond which cannot be cut through any device (This means that a

diamond should be hard), which appears heavier while held in hand,

appears light when seen.

 

" Tarati Rashmivat " means which appears as if it is not touching the

bottom when kept in water and then it should radiate light, and

should shine with sparks and appears like fire and rainbow colors,

then it is considered the best of all.

Now match this criterion with presently available diamonds in stores,

you will hardly find any diamond which will match this description.

The effects defined in classics may stand true but gemstones should

match their definitions for the same.

I have stressed this idea in many of my write ups, that it is not so

easy to change your destiny. Gems can off course change your destiny,

but again that can only take place after supernormal intervention.

I can narrate an incident which is related to my life only. A person

from Iceland came to visit me for astrological consultation. He

became a good friend of mine and asked me to explain certain mantras

and their process. He was devoted to lord Shiva and so, while he was

leaving the country, I gifted him a beautiful Crystal Shivlingam. He

was so happy with the above thing that he gave me a blue sapphire

piece just as a token of appreciation. This sapphire was deep blue in

color and fulfilled every criteria mentioned in the Shastras.

Moreover it had a blue sheen like a peacock's blue shine on its long

neck. I got it embedded in Gold and performed the rituals mention in

the classics. I wore it and the experience I got, is unparalleled.

Unlike whatever is been mentioned in classics, I had a totally

different experience. I constantly felt a cold sensation near my

solar plexus and my back. This sensation moved towards my head and my

head remained cold most of time. I felt as if somebody had kept ice

on my head. I also felt that a golden hew surrounded everybody I used

to talk to. As if this was not enough, there were times when I felt

that I am not inside my body. I know, most of this would be taken as

a joke, but what I have mentioned is true, word to word.

Later on I also understood the astrological combination which

resulted into this kind of experience.

 

I was born on 3rd March 1977 at 14:34:40 Hours at Neemuch, (MP)

 

 

Saturn is a benefic over here as it is the lord of the ninth house

and placed in the Nakshatra of ascendant lord. Mars aspects it as

exalted planet. Moon +Saturn often cause " Pravjaya " like situation

when it is aspected by Mars. Saturn and Moon both occupy the Dhanur

Navmansha which is Jupiter's sign. Saturn occupied Meena in

Vimshamsha and hence it created that state of liberation.

 

Please note that gems have particular powers and when God needs you

to be out of troubles, he can definitely show you his powers.

Remedies affect a person only in certain cases when the mantra is

properly invoked and then denailed. Most of the sadhus initiate

people with wrong mantras. The utkeelan process of a mantra could

only be achieved through a proper Guru who understands and lives with

a mantra.

 

 

Mantras were nailed by lord Shiva when demons started using them for

gaining power and affluence. Their pronunciation was altered (Keelit)

so that nobody can use them without proper knowledge and path. Every

mantra has its own nail and bears an Utkeelan as well. The methods of

Utkeelan are only shared through Guru Shishya Parampara and every

mantra carries its own process. One is considered fortunate if he/she

can obtain the utkeelan bejaas for their respective mantra. Please

note that a prayer is like " Avahan " of a deity. Your mantras act

as " Bhog " for Deities. But mantras without proper utkeelan do not

reach out for Devatas. They act as " Bhog " for negative souls. Hence

one should be very careful with mantras. Keelit mantras can bring

mental illusion for its bearer and follower.

 

Same is the case with Yantras. Yantras have supernormal powers once

they are charged. But they lose their power when the " Karta " or the

owner becomes impure. The devatas which reside in a yantra leave it

when impurity enters a " Sadhak's " mind.

Gems have the same criteria. They need to be washed with proper

herbs and the person wearing it needs to maintain a high level of

purity. It is better to wear them around neck then in fingers. Every

gem should be purified before wearing. The purification can be

performed by keeping gems in their respective herbs for a period of

twenty four hours. Gems associated to planets which are malefic in a

horoscope, should never be worn.

 

 

BIRTHSTONE

HERBS RULING PLANET

Ruby Aak Sun

Pearl Dhaak Moon

Coral Kher, Katha Mars

Emerald Apamarga

Charchita Mercury

Yellow Sapphire Peepal Jupiter

Diamond Gular Venus

Blue Sapphire Shami Saturn

Hessonite Durva Rahu

Cat's eye Kusha, Dharbha Ketu

 

 

Donations of gems are indicated in Shastras as remedies. One who

cannot procure high quality gems can donate their substitutes as

remedies. Gems could be worn or affect a person if they fulfill the

above mentioned criteria. Gems are often attracted towards people who

have very strong Venus and who are undergoing a Venus major period.

One can collect gems during such periods.

Gems which are not mined and are formed in animals, shells and other

organisms are called devmanis and they bear supernormal powers.

These manis and muktas are mentioned in Chapter sixty-nine of

Garudpuranam and " Mukta Laxnadhyaya " of Vrhat Shanita. They are very

rare and cannot be obtained without luck. Please note that gemstones

have nothing to do with money. Even if you have got too much money,

you will not be able to procure a proper gem. There is a very simple

reason behind it. You cannot change your destiny so easily.

 

Alok Jagawat