Dayanand Jyotish

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Ratna: an introduction to gemstones

Upayas or, remedial measures, are the prescribed steps taken in order to protect one from their negative karmas, or activate the positive karmas indicated in their birth chart. Certain karmas can be easily changed, others can be modified with great effort and then there are those unavoidable karmas which can be the greatest teachers where one can only surrender.

There are multiple approaches to remedial measures; fasting, avoiding foods associated with certain planets, donating various items and services to specific people, mantra japa, meditation or rituals such as pujas and homas which are often performed by a priest on ones behalf.

Ratna, known as gemstones, are without a doubt the most commonly prescribed remedy by Vedic Astrologers. Despite being the most expensive option, they’re often the first choice for many. Being quite fashionable and probably the most effortless remedy, I’m sure this has something to do with their popularity.

There are 9 main gemstones used in Vedic astrology, each corresponding to a particular planet, however, the great sage Varahamihira refers to 22 gemstones, all of which are relevant and not to be ignored when considering a remedy. There are more gemstones mentioned in the various shastras but it's logical to use 22 in general as these are connected to the 9 planets, 12 signs and the ascendent.

It’s useful to examine where the kendras of the natural zodiac fall in an individuals chart also, each one rules over a particular metal:

Aries - Gold, Cancer - Silver, Libra - Copper, Capricorn - Iron.

For those running the transit of Saturn over the 12th, 1st and 2nd houses from their natal moon, known as Sade Sati, an iron ring is often recommended. This won’t curtail any negative effects from the Sade Sati transit however, it will only make them increase their work load, as Capricorn is the 10th house of work in the natural zodiac. Here’s a basic list of the gems, the correct quality, weight, metal and fingers to be worn on:

Jyotish gems must be of high quality, clear and should not contain flaws, blemishes or cracks. Gemstones that are tampered with or artificially made are traditionally not recommended. The size and cut of gems is also of significance, a Ruby for example should be round in shape in order to have the desired effect. The Rig Veda, Atharva Veda, Garuda Purana, Agni Purana, Bhagavata Purana and Varahamihira’s Brihat Samhita are some of the many texts to be studied for knowledge pertaining to gemstones.

Basic information of the various ascendents and the gemstones associated with their ruling planets can be found anywhere; a simple google search will reveal a variety of websites giving advice such as; ’Those with Gemini Ascendent should wear Emerald on their right little finger to improve fortune, health and wealth’ This is rather like prescribing one particular medicine for 1/12th of the human race, assuming it’ll have the same positive effect; While it may work for some with Gemini ascendent, it can be of little use or even worse, damaging for others.

Everyone’s birth chart is different, there are so many variable factors to take into account and each one can vastly change the type of remedy required; If we use these remedies with a broad application it can actually have a detrimental impact on the person. This highlights that the emphasis must be put on finding a knowledgeable astrologer who can pin point the exact remedy where necessary. Here begins my attempt to clear some of the doubts and confusion surrounding gemstones as a remedial measure…


Choosing a Gemstone

Firstly, gemstones aren’t always the most effective remedy, for certain birth charts the effect of a gemstone will simply produce some sentimental value and perhaps a reminder to chant ones mantra or focus on an intention to improve a particular situation. That’s not to say they cannot have a profound influence. To determine the extent of a gemstones ability we need to check the strength of the Moon in the Rashi (birth chart) and also in the special divisional charts called the Somanath Drekkana & Somanath Navamsa. The Moon rules over gemstones, if the Moon is placed in the signs of Taurus or Libra, the signs lorded by Venus, then gems can certainly work for that person, especially if the Moon is placed in Venus’s signs both in the Rashi and Somanath Navamsa.

Gemstones are split into two groups for consideration; Pratikula, this is the use of gemstones for functional malefic planets (lords of 3rd, 6th, 8th and 12th houses) and Anukula, the use of gemstones for planets lording the Kendras (1st, 4th, 7th & 10th) and the Konas (5th & 9th).

It’s recommended to stick to the Anukula system as this is the safest approach and least likely to derive negative results, but there are always exceptions. Pratikula gemstones can be used in cases when involved in a favourable yoga in a kendra or kona. It’s also worth noting that the gemstone for the lord of the 3rd house is only used for situations involving conflict and war.

As a general rule it is safer to strengthen natural benefics; Jupiter, Venus, Mercury & Moon. Benefics tend to give favourable results, even if they ruleor are placed in a dushtana (evil) or maraka (killer) house. Malefic planets such as Rahu, Mars, Saturn, Sun & Ketu can give good results depending on the area of life we want to strengthen, but they can often give negative side effects in the process, so we must be careful when giving them strength, even if they are Yoga Karaka. Always take note of natural benefics conjoining natural malefics, if such conjunctions are present in the chart then one should prescribe the gem based on the malefic planet in the conjunction, as this planet will take on the benefics qualities.

I’ve seen cases of people with Capricorn ascendent who have been told not to wear a blue sapphire, the gem of their ascendent lord, simply because Saturn also rules the 2nd house, a maraka house. Just because Saturn rules the 2nd house for a Capricorn ascendent is not enough to say it will give adverse effects. The 2nd house is also the house of food, wealth, family, it’s your sustenance and support, are these areas a bad thing to strengthen? In the same breath, blue sapphire has been recommended to a Virgo ascendent, despite Saturn lording the 6th house of disease and enemies. It’s clear that the chart needs to be studied in more detail before drawing such conclusions.

Strong benefic planetary combinations are a great blessing and can be activated through relevant gems and mantras; it is crucial to pinpoint these blessings and malefic combinations in order to prescribe the correct remedies. For a basic example, say someone has exalted Jupiter conjunct with Moon in the 2nd (wealth) from Arudha Lagna (fame, reputation), there’s surely a large amount of wealth in store for this person, so it certainly would be possible to activate this blessing with the use of a yellow sapphire.

When nearing a conclusion for prescribing gemstones based on the rashi chart, it’s good to check the Somanath Drekkana to confirm. There’s some slight modifications to the rules when examining the Somanath Drekkana for appropriate gemstones. Gems for lords of the 2nd, 6th, 8th and 12th houses in this chart are not recommended and the lord of the 3rd should be treated with great care.

Which hand and fingers to wear the gemstone?

Some schools advise that gems are to be worn on the left hand for females and right hand for males, however, according to our tradition generally wearing gems on the left hand reduces the influence of a planet and wearing on the right increases. When possible, it’s better to wear the gems of natural malefics on the left hand and benefics on the right. The gems of natural benefics lording dusthana houses (6th,8th,12th) should be worn on the left hand.

If we had a choice in deciding our birth charts, we’d like to avoid troublesome planetary conjunctions. Similarly, the nature of planets are to be considered when deciding which hand certain gems should be worn. Gems of Sura planets (Sun, Moon, Mars & Jupiter) are not be worn on the same hand with gems of Asura planets (Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Rahu & Ketu), with exception of special yogas that can be formed with gems in the following combinations: Jupiter with Mercury, Sun with Mercury & Moon with Mercury.

The fingers on each hand represent the Puruṣārtha which are the four pursuits in life; index finger: moksha, spiritual liberation, middle: artha, work & wealth, ring: dharma, fortune & duty, and little finger: kāma, desires, relationships & children.

Depending on the desired outcome, certain gems will give positive or negative results based on the finger they’re worn. It’s not advised to wear any gems on the index finger as this can hinder spiritual progress and increase the ego and anger in the individual. Emerald worn on the little finger can be excellent for those studying a subject and who wish to stay away from marriage; A connection can be made here with the fact that Mercury is in marana karaka sthana in the 7th house of relationships, thus wearing the gem of Mercury on the finger of relationships & children is not advised for those who are married or desire a partner; in such cases it would be more appropriately worn on the middle finger.


Conclusion

Gemstones can be of great help to the world and wouldn’t be mentioned in the shastras if the Rishi’s felt otherwise. However, in modern times a great opportunity for those wishing to take advantage of the financial profits in the gemstone business has seen an increase misapplication of their use and created doubts in their efficacy. There are many more nuances to the prescription of gems but this article covers the basics.

In the tradition we favour mantra remedies, the amount of effort one puts into their sadhana (spiritual practices) the greater the results. Maharishi Parashara stresses this point when referring to practices such as yagyas, japa, pujas and homas; Compared to a priest performing a ritual on ones behalf, ones own student performing the ritual is one hundred times more effective; having ones own child perform the ritual is one hundred times more effective than the students' and finally, performing the ritual ones self is one hundred times more effective than the child performing it on their behalf. We can conclude that their are often many less expensive and more effective approaches to improving ones life, finding a trusted and knowledgable astrologer on this basis is key.

Aum Namah Shivaya