Navaratna

See Navaratnas for the group of people in a king's court.

Thailand's flawless "Queen Sirikit Navaratna" Necklace.

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

Royal setting

The ancient origin of the 9 Gems—called Navaratna in Sanskrit, Hindi, Burmese, Indonesian, and Nepalese, Navarathinam in Tamil, Navarathnalu in Telugu,Navarathnam in Malayalam, Navaratne in Singhalese, Nopparat in Rajasaap (Royal Thai), 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, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, regardless of religious and cultural differences^[1]. Among all these countries, Thailand stands out as the only kingdom where Navaratna is officially recognized, 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)^[2].

Insignia

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 ring finger.^[3]

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:^[4]:

"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

This quote attributed to the Sanskrit "Brihat Jatak" is also quoted in the "Mani-mala" page 575, verse 79 by S.M. Tagore (1879), and also in the ancient "Jataka Parijata," chap. 2, sloka 21 compiled by Sri Vaidyanatha Dikshitar,

माणिक्यं तरणेः सुजात्यममलं मुक्ताफलं शीतगोः
माहेयस्य च विद्रुमं मरकतं सौम्यस्य गारुत्मतम
देवेज्यस्य च पुष्पराजमसुराचार्यस्य वज्रं शनेः
नीलं निर्मलमन्ययोश्च गदिते गोमेदवैदूर्यके

and reads in Sanskrit transliterated as follows:

maaNikyaM taraNeH sujaatyamamalaM muktaaphalaM shiitagoH
maaheyasya cha vidrumaM marakataM saumyasya gaarutmatama
devejyasya cha puShparaajamasuraachaaryasya vajraM shaneH
niilaM nirmalamanyayoshcha gadite gomedavaiduuryake

Translation:

1. Ruby for Surya (Sun),
2. Pearl for Chandra (Moon),
3. Red Coral for Mangala (Mars),
4. Emerald for Budha (Mercury),
5. Yellow sapphire for Bṛhaspati (Jupiter),
6. Diamond for Shukra (Venus),
7. Blue sapphire for Shani (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.^[5]

Setting arrangement

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

The traditional setting arrangement for these 9 gems is shown in the illustration. Ruby for Sun is always 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 is positioned in the heart of a Navaratna Talisman.^[6] See example of Thailand's "The Queen Sirikit Navaratna" for necklace setting.^[7]

Navaratna gem purity

In the above important sloka the words, sujatyam-amalam (sujati=high born, and amala=completely pure or flawless) are 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 and 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."^[8]

Gems in sidereal astrology

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.^[9][10] The supposed "astrological" or "piezoelectric" benefit of wearing or donating gems has not been scientifically quantified.

Myths and opinions

Unprovable opinions, e.g. gems must be a certain number carat weight; must touch the skin; small gems don't work; gems should be selected for harmful planets; for favorable planets; very flawed gems are acceptable; a cultured pearl is a real pearl; heat-enhanced gems have no powers; donating gems is beneficial; gems must be set in certain impractical metals otherwise they're "powerless" etc., cannot yet be presented as facts. In no valid scripture or acceptable provable science are these facts. But, it is correct to say that "Planetary Gem Advisers" are of these varied opinions even though this is not supported by any valid scripture or acceptable provable science. Gems are believed to act metaphysically or astrologically, but proving that gems have such specific and measurable "powers" would be the first step toward scientific acceptance.

Religions that recognize Navaratna

• Hinduism
• Jainism
• Sikhism
• Buddhism

References

1. ^ Richard Brown (2007). Mangala Navaratna (page 1). Hrisikesh Ltd. ISBN 974-07-1853-1. 
2. ^ "Reference Thai Government". http://www.cabinet.thaigov.go.th/eng/d_Ninegem00.htm. Retrieved 2009-08-28. 
3. ^ "How to wear navaratna". http://www.humbletom.com/astro/articles/navratna.html. Retrieved 2010-05-17. 
4. ^ Richard Brown (2007). Mangala Navaratna. Hrisikesh Ltd. pp. 1–2. ISBN 974-07-1853-1. 
5. ^ Richard S. Brown (1995). Ancient Astrological Gemstones & Talismans. AGT Ltd. p. 47. ISBN 974-89022-4-2. 
6. ^ Richard Brown (2007). Mangala Navaratna. Hrisikesh Ltd. p. 2. ISBN 974-07-1853-1. 
7. ^ Bangkok Gems & Jewellery Magazine (1993). A New Addition to the Crown Jewels of Thailand. BGJ Bangkok. 
8. ^ Richard S. Brown (2008). Ancient Astrological Gemstones & Talismans - 2nd Edition. Hrisikesh Ltd. pp. 33, 51. ISBN 978-974-8102-29-0. 
9. ^ Harish Johari (1982). The Healing Power of Gemstones. Destiny Books. p. 35. ISBN 089281-215-X. 
10. ^ Howard Beckman (2000). Vibrational Healing With Gems. Balaji Publisher. ISBN 8121207045. 

External links

• Graha-anukul-ratna-vishesajna-parishad: Non-profit academic organization on Navaratna-based 'Planetary Gemology'