LEGEND AND MYTHOLOGY OF GEMSTONES

As per the legend associated with the gems, it is said that the king of the demons BALI came to the Indralok-the Heaven. He wanted to win over the Heaven and all the Gods. In Heaven, he was escorted by Indra himself under the guise of a Brahmin seeking to find an animal for propitiation. Indra pleaded with Bali to become animal for the sacrifice as he was not getting anyone. It was getting late and his Yagna would be rendered fruitless. Bali accepted it knowing that his body was invincible. This was known to Indra as well and he did not hurt the body of demon king but hit his head with Vajra. The demon king was shattered in to pieces of gems simply because he was a unique creature himself.

It is said in mythology that from the bones of demon king Bali, Diamonds were found; from his teeth the Pearls; from his blood drops Ruby; from the gall bladder Emerald; from his eyes came out Blue Sapphires; from the juice of his heart came Lapis Lazuli; from his bone marrow appeared Karketan; from his nails appeared Cat's eye; from his body fat came Rock crystal; from flesh came Coral; from skin came out Yellow Sapphire; from his semen appeared gem called Bheesham.

The legend further goes that from these gems, Sun took away Ruby, Moon picked up Pearls, Mars took away Coral, Mercury took Emeralds, Jupiter picked up Yellow Sapphire, Venus took Diamonds, Saturn took Blue Sapphires, Rahu took away Zircon and Ketu lifted Lapis Lazuli. This is the reason why these stones are worn by humans to enhance the strength of these planets.

According to mythology, all these gems had been grown by nature inside the body of demon King Bali as he was a unique creature and when these gems came out of the shattered body, it was symbol of victory of Gods over the demons.

However far-fetched this myth may sound, but one thing is sure that even in ancient times when there was no gemology or research available, people were aware of wearing gems for strengthening various planets and for propitiation purposes. In all probability, these legends started to grow as people felt the beneficial results after wearing them and in present day we hear a full myth around gemstones.