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Navaratna

See Navaratnas for the group of people.

Navaratna, literally a Sanskrit compound word meaning "nine gems", is a talisman or accessory set with nine gems. It is a popular item for celebrities and tourists in India and can be found at the finest jewelry stores and lowly gift shops. Essentially Navaratna is a jeweled yantra or astrological layout consisting of nine different gems used to balance or strengthen all the 9 planets recognized by Jyotish or Sidereal Astrology. In this sense Navaratna is considered a talisman.^[1]^[2]^[3]

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1 General
2 Navaratna Belief System
3 Navaratna & Quality
4 Opposing philosophies within Navaratna Belief System
5 References

General

In Hindu astrology, earth is considered the centre of the universe and the nine planets are the navagrahas. Each of these planetary positions supposedly have an influence throughout an individual's course of life. Hence, wearing these nine gems is said to provide an astrological benefit. It is also said that these gems potentially may have both positive and negative influences on human life, therefore should be worn only after consulting an astrologer. Similar to the beliefs held in birthstones, the benefits of wearing such accessories has not been scientifically quantified.

Symbolically and astrologically, the nine gems are believed to represent the nine astrological bodies:

Ruby (Manikyam or Padmarag): Sun
Natural pearl (Mukta or Moti): Moon
Red coral (Moonga or Pravalam): Mars
Emerald (Marakatam or Panna): Mercury
Yellow sapphire (Pushparagam): Jupiter
Diamond (Hira or Vajram): Venus
Blue sapphire (Indra-neelam): Saturn
Hessonite (Gomedakam): Rahu, the ascending lunar node
Cat's eye (Vaiduryam): Ketu, the descending lunar node

Based on an individual's Sidereal horoscope, either a single gem or a combination of compatible gems is advised to be worn to harness beneficial planets or counteract harmful planets. There are two views in this regard. Gems are also purported to have certain healing properties, although this has yet to be scientifically proven.^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]

Navaratna Belief System

Graha-anukul ratna-visehajna - (Sanskrit) Aka Planetary Gemology^[8]^[9]^[10]^[11]^[12] An ancient Vedic (Hindu & Buddhist) belief in the astrological-piezoelectric-metaphysical relationship between 9 (categories of) GEMS and 9 (categories of) PLANETS recognized as most important in sidereal astrology or Jyotish.^[13]^[14]^[15]^[16]^[17]

Navaratna & Quality

According to bona fide Vedic Sanskrit authority only clean top quality gems are considered to be desirable.^[18] Sri Agni Puranam, chap. 246, slokas 7 & 8: states, "A gem free from all impurities and radiating its characteristic internal luster should be looked upon as an escort of good luck; A gem which is cracked, fissured, devoid of luster, or appearing rough or sandy, should not be used at all".^[19] Again it is stated, "If anyone wears a gem with many flaws (even) out of ignorance, then grief, anxiety, sickness, death, loss of wealth and other evils torment them."--- Sri Garuda Purana: Chapter 70, Verse 19.

Opposing philosophies within Navaratna Belief System

The Planetary Gemology World is divided into two (2) opposing philosophies, viz., Anukul-vad v/s Pratikul-vad:^[20]^[21]

ANUKULA-VAD: A Jyotish Gem will act "SAME" as its planet - So gems should be chosen for Anukul (favorable) birth planets.
PRATIKULA-VAD: A Jyotish Gem will act "OPPOSITE" of its planet - So gems should be chosen for Pratikul (unfavorable) birth planets.

References

^ G. F. Kunz (1971). The Curious Lore of Precious Stones. Dover Publ. ISBN 0486222276.
^ S. M. Tagore (1879). Mani-Mala. I. C. Bose & Co, Calcutta, India.
^ Raj Roop Tank (1971). Indian Gemology. Dulichand Kirtichand Tank, Jaipur, India.
^ Harish Johari (1982). The Healing Power of Gemstones. Destiny Books.
^ Howard Beckman (2000). Vibrational Healing With Gems. Balaji Publisher. ISBN 8121207045.
^ N.N. Saha (1992). Healing Through Gems. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
^ Dr. G. S. Kapoor (1991). Gems and Astrology. Ranjan Publishers.
^ S. M. Tagore (1879). Mani-Mala. I. C. Bose & Co.
^ N.N. Saha (1992). Healing Through Gems. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
^ Dr. Neeraj Lalwani (2002). Gem Therapy in Vedic Astrology.
^ Mahan Vir Tulli (1997). Gems in Human Destiny. Gyan Sagar Publications.
^ Prof. Dr. A. K. Bhattacharya (1971). Gem Therapy. Firma KLM Pvt. Ltd.
^ Dr. Neeraj Lalwani (2002). Gem Therapy in Vedic Astrology.
^ Mahan Vir Tulli (1997). Gems in Human Destiny. Gyan Sagar Publications.
^ Prof. Dr. A. K. Bhattacharya (1971). Gem Therapy. Firma KLM Pvt. Ltd.
^ Various (2004). Journal of the Planetary Gemologists Association. PGA. ISBN 974-92114-1-3.
^ Richard Brown (1988). Handbook of Planetary Gemology. Mckinney Intl.
^ Richard Brown (1995). Ancient Astrological Gemstones & Talismans. A.G.T. Co.. ISBN 9748902242.
^ M.N. Dutt (translator) (1967). Agni Puranam. The Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office, Varanasi-1, India.
^ Dr. Theja Hettiaratchi (2006). Journal of the Planetary Gemologists Association. PGA. ISBN 974-93946-5-8.
^ Pemmaraju V.R. Rayudu (2006). Journal of the Planetary Gemologists Association: ANUKUL VAD Vs PRATIKUL VAD. PGA. ISBN 974-93946-5-8.

Category: Gemstones

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Navaratna". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia.