Gems and Astrology

- Written by Alok Jagawat

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,

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)

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

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,

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.

-0-