Prescription of Gemstone is one of the most
important aspects of remedies in Jyotish Shastra. The use of Gemstone is
also endorsed by shastras such as Garuda Purana which gives elaborate
description of the nature of the gemstones and their use. Even though
gemstone use is one of the most popular source of remedies for all ills
of the material world, may it be health, wealth or fortune, it is
fraught with many misconceptions and erroneous notions of their
selection and prescription. This article envisages providing consistent
principles which would help the Jyotishas and laymen to select the right
gemstones.
GEMSTONES OF YOGAKARAKAS
Since
the gemstones enhance the influence of the planet in the life of the
person, the gemstones for the planets giving yogas should always be
chosen. To know the yoga givers or the yoga-karakas in a horoscope,
studying classics such as Brhat Parashara Hora shastra should be
studied. However, I shall provide here some guidelines which can help in
choosing the gemstones.
Lagna lord is the first and foremost yoga karaka in a horoscope,
since is the owner of both Kendra (Quadrant) and Kona (Trine). He is
protector of the Lagna, which represent health, vitality and the
controller of the whole horoscope. The placement of the Lagna lord is
extremely important for the overall strength of the horoscope and its
gemstone can help a person overcoming all difficulties in life.
The lords of two trines fifth and ninth are equally important. They
are the two important houses which control the financial wellbeing of a
person. If they are badly placed in the horoscope, then the person might
suffer financially in life. Thus their strength is extremely important
in addition to the lords of second and eleventh, who signify Wealth and
Income.
Each planet can give results on the following basis.
1. Lordship
2. Placement
3. Natural Karakatva (Significations)
4. Yoga (Exchange, Conjunction, Aspects)
Hence it must be remembered that a good planet (lords of Lagna, 5th
and 9th) / Yoga- karaka if placed in a dusthana (6th / 8th/ 12th), they
can also give malefic results in addition to their inherent benefic
nature to do good. Similarly if the yogakarakas are involved in other
bad yogas, they can give bad results, while their gemstones are worn.
Whenever there is a conjunction or exchange of two planets, their
inherent and functional nature is greatly modified. When a benefic
planet comes into association with a malefic planet, then the benefic
nature of the planet is corrupted and it starts giving malefic results,
however the malefic planet gains out of the company and gives good
results. Such subtle effects should always be kept into consideration,
while suggesting a gemstone for Jyotish remedial purposes.
Exception to this is that, if Saturn becomes the Yoga-karaka and is
placed in a dusthana, then its ability to do good increases. It is
advisable to wear Neelam, Saturn’s stone for such cases.
GEMSTONE OF WEAK PLANET
If a yoga-karaka (or any good planet in the horoscope, lords of any
houses other than 6th/ 8th or 12th) is debilitated, they must be
strengthened. One of the ways is to wear the stone of the debilitated
planet. However, the more effective way is to find the planet who is
causing neecha-bhanga to the debilitated planet. If the neecha-bhanga is
happening with respect to the Moon, then Mantra would be a good remedy,
however, if it happens with respect to the Lagna, then wearing the
gemstone of the planet causing the neecha-bhanga would make the
debilitated planet come out of the state of debilitation.
When there is no cancellation of debility of other weaknesses then
the gemstones for the supporters of the debilitated planet can be
prescribed for causing cancellation of debility or for enhancing the
life-forces that are being destroyed due to the debility. For example,
the Moon is debilitated in Scorpio (8th house of natural zodiac) and is
said to be MARANA KARAKA if placed in the 8th house from Lagna. Weakness
of such Moon, in any chart is not good for longevity. Hence a blue
sapphire is used for enhancing the life-force. The information regarding
this is given at the detail section for each planet and their gemstones
It must be noted that debilitation of some planets are desirable in a
horoscope. They are the lords of the Dusthanas (6th/ 8th/ 12th). If the
lords of the Dusthanas are placed in other Dusthanas in debilitation,
then it confers Vipareeta raja yoga, whereby the native gains due to the
loss of natural and functional significations of the planet causing the
yoga. For example, if 8th lord Moon is involved in Vipareeta Raja yoga,
by its debilitation in the 12th house, the native might enjoy rise in
life, but the Mother (natural signification of Moon) and the marriage
(8th house is the longevity of marriage) might suffer simultaneously. To
enjoy the fruits of Vipareeta Raja yoga, the native must not strengthen
such debilitated planets that confer the yoga.
VIPAREETA RATNA (OPPOSITE GEMSTONE)
Vipareeta means opposite or gemstones used for weakening the effects
of some planets in certain houses. If any house is occupied by an enemy
of its Karaka, then the significations of the house suffer. Keeping
this principle in view, the first house to be checked in any chart is
the ninth house of fortune and Dharma with Jupiter & Sun as the
significator. Rahu and Saturn are the enemies of these significator and
if they are placed in the ninth house, they shall damage fortune and
Dharma. The remedy is to strengthen the concerned Karaka by wearing its
gemstone in the ring finger. Suka Nadi states that if Rahu is in the
ninth house, then the native has good fortune after wearing a Topaz. The
same principle of Vipareeta Ratna (Opposite Gemstone) has been used
here. Rahu is the enemy of Jupiter and since it is placed in the ninth
house, the use of a Topaz (gemstone of Jupiter) removes the misfortune
caused by Rahu. Similarly, if Saturn is in the ninth house, then the
person may suffer from poverty/ failure in the homeland after 36 years.
To remove this evil, a ruby, the gemstone of the Sun (Saturn’s enemy) is
worn.
GEMSTONES VS. DASAS
Hands in which the gemstones are worn to be chosen on the basis of
certain criteria. The right hand is ruled Jupiter and the left hand by
Venus indicating increase (right hand) or decrease (lift hand) of life
force.
Thus, if gemstones have to be prescribed to decrease the evil
effects of a malefic planet, its gemstone should be used in the left
hand. Such use should be temporary covering the dasa-bhukti of the
planet.
When the planet is a malefic for the horoscope, the maleficence of
the planet can be reduced by wearing a counter gemstone temporarily
during the Dasa-bhukti of the planet. If instead a gem is to be worn for
the main Dasa planet itself, then it should be worn in the left hand.
For example, if Rahu is malefic then during its period a Yellow
Sapphire/Topaz/Citrine can be worn in the right hand ring finger or
Hessonite/Brown Tourmaline etc can be worn in the left hand middle
finger.
FLAWED GEMSTONE
A
genuine gemstone of good quality should never be used with an imperfect
or flawed gem or with one that is astrologically incompatible with it.
Suta Goswami (Garuda Purana) advises “not to wear a gem that is of
inferior quality or incompatible even if it is set together with the
divine Kausthuba Mani of Vishnu. Just as the best of saints lose their
merits by bad company, similarly, an imperfect/inferior or incompatible
gemstone can ruin the beneficence of other good gems.
GEMSTONES AND LAGNA LORD
For determining compatibility of gemstones most astrologers go by
the Naisargika Sambandha (natural relationship) of other planets with
the stone of the principal/ruling planet. The Ruling Planet is the
strongest one in trines to the Lagna or in the seventh house (1,5,7
& 9 houses), and if none are there, then the Lagna lord is chosen.
Thus if the ruling planet is the Moon, then all planets are compatible
with it, but if it is the Sun, then only Jupiter, Mars & Moon are
compatible and their stones can be chosen.
Since the Lagna is the controller of the Horoscope, the impact of
the Gemstone ultimately falls on the Lagna (more so, since Lagna is the
controller of the physical body, where the gemstone is worn). The
planets, whose gemstone is worn, should be a friend to the Lagna lord as
per the naisargika sambandha. If any planet is inimical to the lord of
Lagna, the use of its gemstone can damage / endanger the concerned
people related to the house owned by the planet. For example if the lord
of the fifth house is inimical to the Lagna lord, then the use of a
gemstone of the fifth lord can endanger the life children. Hence utmost
caution should be used in prescribing gemstones.
Naisargika Sambandha of Planets
Some astrologers also use Tatkalika
Sambandha (Current relationship) between planets in a chart as this also
takes the individual horoscope into focus. Here, the planets that are
Param Mitra, Mitra or Sama to the ruling planet are chosen for
supportive gemstones.
Among all the methods of judging the suitability of a Gemstone
namely, the naisargika sambandha, tatkalika sambandha and other
sambandha, the best and most beneficial gemstones are those of the
planets involved in a beneficial Yoga. If the tenth and ninth lord are
involved in a Dharma-Karmadhipati Yoga, then their stones should be used
together to augment the effects of the Yoga. Gemstones of planets
involved in Duryoga and other malefic combinations or where benefits
accrue if the planets are weak and afflicted like the Vipareeta Rajyoga,
should never be used.
GEMSTONES OF MUTUALLY INIMICAL PLANETS
Gemstones of mutually inimical planets should never be used
simultaneously as they shall prove to be very adverse. Many astrologers
give gemstones of mutually inimical planets such as Hessonite (Rahu)
with Ruby (Sun) or Yellow Sapphire (Jupiter) or Red Coral (Mars). Such
combinations can be extremely dangerous for the native. The natural
fight between the owners of the gemstones can be visible in the life of
native, where we can witness; the native is caught between many
undesirable circumstances without his fault. The table shown below shows
the natural relationships between the planets.
FINGERS AND GEMSTONES
The index finger is called Tarjani and is considered very
inauspicious. In mantra recitation the beads should never touch this
finger, even while turning the rosary (when we finish one circle of 108
beads). It rules the “Ahamkara” and is the finger of “fall” or
expression of anger. The Gyana Mudra has all fingers except this index
finger stretched out with the index finger (of anger) being in touch
with and controlled by the Akasha Tattva of the Thumb. Normally for
people who are spiritual / worship their Guru, gemstones should not be
used in this finger. Some astrologers prescribe Ruby / Yellow Sapphire
for Power / Wealth respectively, for use in the index finger. However
these gemstones have been found to give better results of stable power
and gradual stable growth in finance in the ring finger.
Tatwa in Palmistry
The gemstone of a planet placed in a house should be worn according
to the quadrant (Kendra house) is whose trines it is placed. Thus a
planet in the ninth house influences the Dharma Trikona and its gemstone
should be worn in the ring finger. Gemstones of planets in Moksha
Trikona (4, 8, 12) should not be prescribed as then they would be worn
in the Tarjani (Index finger). Instead mantra of these planets should be
advised.
Further gemstone cannot be worn in the finger of inimical elements.
For example, if a Red Coral is to be worn for Mars placed in the seventh
house, this cannot be prescribed for the little finger due to Mars
ruling Agni Tattva (fire element), which is opposed to the Vayu Tattva
(Air element). Thus a Coral can only be worn in the ring finger (Agni
Tattva / Fire) or middle finger (Prithvi Tattva / Earth). Just as the
thumb is different from the other four fingers and in conjunction with
them does all work, the Akasha Tattva (Ether element–symbolized by the
Thumb) permeates all signs of the other elements and is the driving
force / Dhi Shakti.
GEMSTONES AND ARUDHA LAGNA
Since
the gemstones are taken for fulfilling the material pursuits in the
life than anything else, the arudha lagna plays a very vital role in
selection of the gemstones. Arudha Lagna shows the image in this world
or in other words, the perception of the world related to the native.
This is the material manifestation of the existantial reality of a
person. Maharishi parashara says that planets in the twelfth of Arudha
Lagna (AL) can show the sources of expenditure, while that in the 11th
from the AL show the sources of Income. Even though the promise of the
wealth can be seen from different dhana yogas in the horoscope and the
strength of the 2nd, 11th and the trines, the sources and the quantum of
the gains or losses can be seen from the Arudha.
Thus, it is very important to consider the placement of Planets with
respect to the Arudha Lagna for final selection of an Gemstone. The
following guidelines can help in such judgement:
1. If a planet is placed in or aspecting the 12th from the Arudha
Lagna, the gemstone for such planet can increase the expenditure of the
native. Malefics are well placed here as it confer rajayoga while placed
here in addition to the expenses shown. However one must remember that
planets placed here shows the persons who would secretly oppose the
native in various activities. So the gemstones of such planets to be
chosen after careful consideration of all factors involved.
2. The gemstone of a planet placed in or aspecting the 11th from
Arudha Lagna shall give income from the sources indicated by the planet.
The sources can be known by judging both the functional as well as
natural significations of the concerned planet.
3. The 2nd and 7th house from the Arudha Lagna are the houses of
sustainance of the Image. They should be occupied by benefics or exalted
planets. If they are occupied by malefics, the gemstones of such
planets can cause fall of image and troubles in career and various other
troubles. In addition the planets in the 7th from Arudha lagna shows
the persons who would openly oppose the person in various activities,
and this is more true with respect to the Malefics. Thus if benefics are
placed in the 7th from the Arudha Lagna, their gemstones can be given,
provided the native can withstand the opposition shown by the concerned
planet.
4. The planets in the Arudha Lagna shows how the world perceives the
native. The presence of Moon or Jupiter in the Arudha Lagna gives long
lasting fame. They should otherwise be placed with benefics or exalted
planets and gemstones of such Moon, Jupiter, benefics or exalted planets
can be beneficial to the native, otherwise it can be harmful.
Similarly the lord of the Arudha Lagna should ideally be well placed
in either exaltation, mulatrikona, own house or friends house. If
gemstone of such planets is worn, it would benefit the native by
uplifting his image. If such planet is in fall or unfavourably placed,
then the gemstone of the planet, countering the evil has to be worn
(please refer to relevant section for more information on this)
5. Malefics in the 3rd or 6th gives material success whereas
benefics in these places makes the person spiritual, unless they are
debilitated. Thus wearing the gemstones of the malefics placed in 3rd or
6th can help in fulfilment of objectives and gaining over all odds.
However, malefics in the 3rd from AL can be detrimental to the health
and longevity, thus while prescribing the gemstones, one need to
consider this factor as well.
6. The eighth house is also very crucial in a way that it controls
the longevity of the person. Malefics placed over there can harm the
health of the person and also the image. Stones of such malefics placed
there should never be worn.
7. All planets either be benefics or malefics give good results and
financial gains while placed in the 9th house from the arudha Lagna.
Unless any other adverse yogas exist, gemstone of such planet would be
beneficial to the native.
8. 10th house shows the impact of a planet in the native's career.
Benefics are best suited here and malefics are prohibited. For example,
if Saturn is placed in such 10th, then the career becomes a bed of
thorne for the native.
DETAILS OF GEMSTONES
RUBY is the precious stone that occurs as a red,
transparent variety of the mineral corundum. It is symbolic of excellent
health, vigor, love and passion, an aid to firm friendship, and
believed to ensure beauty. It strengthens the heart and blood
circulation, makes one bold and courageous and eliminates depression,
sadness or sensuality. Increase name and fame. Its color ranges from
purplish red (called Pigeon Blood) or bluish red to a yellowish red.
When cut into a cabochon (a non-convex) form, some specimens of ruby
exhibit asterism i.e. a six-rayed star can be seen in the interior of
the stone. These are called star rubies and are very highly prized.
Burmese rubies are considered the finest. The ruby is a very brilliant,
hard, durable, and wearable stone.
PEARL is a lustrous concretion consisting mainly of
Nacre (Popularly called mother-of pearl), which is the substance
forming the inner layers of the mollusc shells. The pearl is an abnormal
growth due to a minute foreign particle invading the body of the
mollusc. The particle irritates the mollusc and becomes coated with
layers of Nacre. Both marine and freshwater molluscs produce pearls.
Spherical pearls are the best. A Bouton pearl is hemispherical. If a
solid pearl has an irregular shape, it is known as a Baroque pearl.
Pearls are commonly known as pear, bell, or drop, according to the
shape. Pearl coloration varies as white, black, rose, and cream.
Natural, spherical pearls have been cultured successfully since
1920. This is controlled, but natural and these pearls can also be used
as astrological gems. Artificial pearls, in contrast to cultured pearls,
are entirely artificial, made largely of glass and should be rejected. A
good pearl strengthens mental faculties, calms emotions and increases
peace of mind. This is an excellent gem for meditation.
RED CORAL is a large class of marine invertebrates
characterized by a protective calcium carbonate or horny skeleton (also
called coral). Corals are divided into two subclasses, based on
differences in their radial symmetry (symmetry around a central axis) of
eight-tentacle animals, each with an internal skeleton or six-tentacle
(or multiples of six). The Red coral belongs to the eight-tentacle
sub-class. It removes obstacles and averts accidents, discord and
warfare. It is an asset in money matters and makes a person debt free.
By purifying the blood it helps in pregnancy & childbirth besides
curing boils.
EMERALD is the green variety of the mineral beryl
making its wearer faithful & of fixed commitments. It helps in
planning & forecasting by enhancing intuition & psychic powers.
It sharpens the intellect and gives a photogenic memory thereby
improving learning ability, communication and clairvoyance. Good for
general health, particularly the nervous system, it also has the power
of healing diseases of the eye. It has the colour of fresh young green
grass as in the world's finest "drop of oil" emerald from Colombia.
Although a hard stone, emeralds chip easily since it somewhat
brittle. Hence, special care should be given in wearing and handling. A
common flaw reduction technique is to boil the emerald in oil (sometimes
tinted green) and is actually good for the stone in light of its
fragile nature. Oiling hides some of the whitish flaws (cracks) by
filling the cracks and becomes an integral part of the emerald unless it
is subjected to some type of degreasing procedure.
YELLOW SAPPHIRE the symbol of universal love and
brotherhood, promotes general well being and spiritual knowledge. It is
very helpful for pregnancy & childbirth. It nullifies Kuja Dosha and
promotes marriage and controls a malefic Mars in preventing jaundice
and liver diseases. Excellent for business stability and financial
matters, it is one of nature's most wonderful gifts.
Topaz occurs not only in the transparent yellow, yellow brown,
orange-brown, and pink-brown colours. It is a hard, brilliant stone but
it is much rarer and much more expensive than the Citrine (Quartz)
stones commonly sold as "Rio topaz," "Madeira topaz," "Spanish topaz,"
and "Palmeira topaz."
DIAMOND Induces purity and fearlessness. Gives
artistic abilities and worldly happiness. Strengthens bones and is
useful for combating diseases of the sex organs. Makes one more
attractive.
BLUE SAPPHIRE The finest blue sapphires are from
Burma and Kashmir. It counteracts enviousness from others and removes
the evil eye thereby protecting from travel dangers and mental unrest
and various forms of madness. It alleviates long-term misfortunes by
causing a change of place/residence. Fine, brilliant, deep blue Burmese
sapphires will surely dazzle the eye.
HESSONITE has smoky-red lustre. The other varieties are of honey colour.
CAT’S EYE is gem-quality chrysoberyl. With cabochon
cut (oval, rounded form), a light-coloured line appears that moves as
the gem is turned, giving the stone a resemblance to the eye of a cat.
This phenomena called chatoyance (asterism) is caused by a parallel
arrangement of fine fibres of either foreign substance or minute hollow
tubules.
