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Navaratna

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See Navaratnas for the group of people in a king's court.
Thailand's "Queen Sirikit Navaratna" Necklace.

Navaratna, literally a Sanskrit compound word meaning "nine gems".

The Royal Setting

The ancient origin of the 9 Gems --- called Nopparat in Rajasaap (Royal Thai), Navaratna in Sanskrit, Hindi, Burmese, Indonesian, & Nepalese, Navaratne in Sri Lankan, and Nopparatana in standard Thai --- has proved impossible to trace. Yet such importance is given to this combination of nine gems that they are recognized as sacred and royal in almost all the countries of Asia, including, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Myanmar, Kampuchea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, regardless of religious and cultural differences. Among all these countries, Thailand stands out as the only kingdom where Navaratna is legally official, a specific National and Royal symbol of the king, and a high award given by the king called “Nopparat Rajavaraporn" (the Ancient Auspicious Order of the Nine Gems)[1].

Insignia: Order of the Nine Gems

Ribbon of the Order

The decoration consists of a single class (Knight). The insignia is:

  • Pendant of the Nine Gems, on a yellow sash with red, blue and green trims, worn over the right shoulder to the left hip (for men). For women, the Pendant of the Nine Gems is attached onto a silk ribbon, worn on the front left shoulder.
  • Star of the Nine Gems, to wear on the left chest
  • Gold Ring of the Nine Gems, for men, to wear on the right index finger.

Gems and Planets

Late Thai astrologer Horacharn Thep Sarikabutr has given the meaning of these nine gems in his Parichad-Jataka (chapter 2, verse 21, page 35-36) translated as follows:

“Top quality and flawless ruby is the gem for the Sun, natural pearl for the Moon, red coral for Mars, emerald for Mercury yellow sapphire for Jupiter, diamond for Venus, blue sapphire for Saturn, hessonite for Rahu (ascending lunar node), and cat’s eye for Ketu (descending lunar node).”

Further Evidence - Hardly Hindu

Not mentioned in any Vedic literature and hardly found in any Hindu writings is this single quote attributed to the Sanskrit "Brihat Jatak" which is also quoted in the "Mani-mala" page 575, verse 79 by S. M. Tagore (1879), and yet again in the fairly recent "Jataka Parijata," chap. 2, sloka 21 compiled by Sri Vaidyanatha Dikshitar, and reads in Sanskrit transliterated as follows:

Manikyam taraneh sujatyamamalam muktaphalam shitagoh
maheyasya cha vidrumao nigaditah saumyasya-garutmakam
devejyasya cha pushparagam asura-achryasya vajram shaneh
nilam nirmalamanyayoshcha gadite gomeda-vaiduryake

Translation:

  • 1) Ruby for the Sun,
  • 2) Pearl for the Moon,
  • 3) Coral for Mars,
  • 4) Emerald for Mercury,
  • 5) Yellow sapphire for Jupiter,
  • 6) Diamond for Venus,
  • 7) Blue sapphire for Saturn,
  • 8) Hessonite for Rahu (the ascending node of the Moon)
  • 9) Cat's eye for Ketu (the descending node of the Moon),

these gems must be high-born (top quality) and flawless.

The fact that this one verse of recent origin is all there is to so-called "Hindu Navaratna" is proof that Navaratna is no-more Hindu, than it is Jain, Sikh, Buddhist, or any other religion where Navaratna plays a part.

Setting Arrangement

The traditional Asian setting arrangement for the 9 gems is shown in the illustration. Ruby for Sun is in the center, surrounded (clock wise from the top) by diamond, natural pearl, red coral, hessonite, blue sapphire, cat’s eye, yellow sapphire, and emerald. This is the same placement as the Nava-graha Yantra. Traditionally no gem other than ruby or red spinel for the Sun is set in the center of a nine gems arrangement. To do so is believed to go against the flow of nature. The Sun is the center of the solar system and therefore the Sun’s gem, ruby, is usually positioned in the heart of a Navaratna Talisman[2].

In the above important sloka the words, "sujatyam-amalam" (sujati=high born, and amala=completely pure or flawless) appear very significant. According to Asian belief system only clean top quality gems are considered to be auspicious.

In further support of this mostly over-looked dictate: In the "Garuda Puranam," chap. 68, verse 17 it is stated by Sri Suta Goswami,

"Pure, flawless gems have auspicious powers which can protect one from demons, snakes, poisons, diseases, sinful reactions, and other dangers, while flawed stones have the opposite affect."

Again from the ancient "Agni Puranam" chap. 246, slokas 7 & 8:

"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."[3]

Not Scientific

All the nine gems are considered by believers to be equally sacred, and they only differ according to the astral influence of their ruling planets. This belief system is rife with unprovable opinions, in spite of the very question of gems having astrological powers YET to be scientifically proved.

Gems in Sidereal Astrology

Nine navaratna gems in a Nava-graha pendant-yantra.

According to Hindu astrology, life on earth is influenced by the navagrahas, or nine influencers. The placement of the navagrahas in one's horoscope supposedly have an influence throughout an individual's life. Wearing the nine gems is said to provide an astrological balance and benefit to the wearer. Hindu astrology also says that these gems potentially may have both positive or negative influences on human life, and that astrological gems should be worn only after consulting a Vedic astrologer, who is also conversant with gems. 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.[4][5][6][7]. The supposed benefit of wearing gems has not been scientifically quantified.

Myths and Opinions

Unprovable "opinions", e.g., gems must be a certain number carat weight, or MUST touch the skin, or small gems don't work, or gems should be selected for harmful planets, or for favorable planets, or very flawed gems are acceptable, or a cultured pearl is a REAL pearl, or heat-enhanced gems have no powers, etc., cannot be presented as facts. In NO scripture or science is this valid. But, it is correct to say that believers are of these varied opinions even though this is NOT supported by any scripture nor science.

References

  1. ^ Richard Brown (2007). Mangala Navaratna (page 1). Hrisikesh Ltd. ISBN 974-07-1853-1.
  2. ^ Richard Brown (2007). Mangala Navaratna (page 2). Hrisikesh Ltd. ISBN 974-07-1853-1.
  3. ^ Richard S. Brown (2008). Ancient Astrological Gemstones & Talismans - 2nd Edition. Hrisikesh Ltd. ISBN 978-974-8102-29-0.
  4. ^ Harish Johari (1982). The Healing Power of Gemstones. Destiny Books.
  5. ^ Howard Beckman (2000). Vibrational Healing With Gems. Balaji Publisher. ISBN 8121207045.
  6. ^ N.N. Saha (1992). Healing Through Gems. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
  7. ^ Dr. G. S. Kapoor (1991). Gems and Astrology. Ranjan Publishers.
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