Home | Biographies

A-J | K-M | N-S | T-Z | Others

Garud Puraan gives a story of the origin of Ratn (gems or jewels). There was a Daitya named Balaasur. He had got a Var (boon) from Brahmaa Jee after a severe penance that he should be invincible. Brahmaa Jee granted him this Var. Now since he was invincible, he attacked Indra's city and captured it. Devtaa got very sad at this, so they did a Yagya to take their city back from him. When the time came for oblation, at Brahmaa's advise they went to Balaasur assuming the form of a priest and asked for his body.

The Asur was very religious, so he decided to give his body for oblation. Devtaa got very happy to hear his decision so they took him in the Vimaan (aerial car) very swiftly, so much so that they dropped him on the ground. As his body dropped from the Vimaan, it hit the ground and broke into pieces. These body parts, owing to the commitment to the Devtaa, when scattered on Prithvi, turned into various jewels - (1) Vajra, (diamond or Heerak); (2) Muktaa (pearl); (3) Mani (ruby); (4) Marakat (emerald); (5) Pushpraag (Topaz); (6) Indraneel (blue sapphire or Neelam); (7) Sphatic (crystal or Moonstone), (8) Praval (coral or Moongaa). About the origin of Vaidoorya Mani (beryl or Cat's Eye), the Puraan says, that when Balaasur fell, he roared and his roar fragmented a part of the hill called Vidur, that is why it is called Vaidoorya Mani.

Consequently, diamonds are found in the following colors : slightly brownish, white as the full moon, blackish like a rain cloud, coppery-hued, dark yellow, bluish, greenish, pink, and light yellow. Particular demigod preside over exceptionally fine diamonds of various colors. White diamonds of this standard are ruled by Varun, lord of the oceans. Yellow diamonds are ruled by Indra, the heavenly king. The Marut (the wind gods) rule copper-hued diamonds, the greenish diamonds are ruled by Soorya (the Sun-god). The fire-god Agni, rules brown-colored diamonds, and blue tinged diamonds are ruled by the lord of ancestors Aryamaa.

Flawless, high-grade diamonds confer good fortune upon their wearers, whereas flawed diamonds are invariably a source of misfortune.
Note: diamond is also for Venus...
White is for Braahman
Pink is for Kshatriya
Yellow is for Vaishya
Blue is for Shoodra

Home | Biographies

A-J | K-M | N-S | T-Z | Others