By Kumkum Bhatia
Some years ago, while posted in Myanmar, we had an interesting visitor. Since Myanmar is famous for rubies and sapphires, I advised her to buy some. She was keen on the rubies, but flatly refused to buy any sapphires because they were extremely harmful to her and her family.
She revealed that her family fortunes had fallen and many tragedies occurred following the purchase of a big sapphire. Things improved immediately as soon as she got rid of the stone. Unconvinced, I pointed out that the whole world, apart from the Indian subcontinent, happily wore sapphires. To validate her stance, she gave the example of Princes Diana whose beautiful sapphire ring had led to her tragic death!
To believe or not to believe
Since time immemorial, people have believed that gemstones possess magical powers or can bestow favourable fortune to the wearer. There are numerous stories of how kings and queens used gems to protect themselves from evil omens and ill health, or to stay in power and increase longevity.
Vedic astrology indicates that gems affect the human body by giving positive or negative effects. There are nine planets, navgraha, governing nine gems, navratna. Astrologers believe that every gemstone has the power to draw energy or beams from its respective planet and channelize it into the wearer’s body. This property of a gemstone is helpful in exerting its influence in miraculous ways.
Wearing gemstones according to one’s birth chart is a fundamental theory of Vedic astrology, and in India, the majority of people wear at least one or two gems on their fingers, around their neck or on their wrist.
The universe is composed of five basic elements: fire, earth, air, water and ether. Ayurveda was the first to recognize that these natural elements also exist in the human body. They manifest in our bodies as three humours, which govern the biological, psychological and pathological functions of the body.
Each gem of the navratna category represents a planet of the solar system. Astrologists are quick to point out that the effect of the stones is comparable to methods used by modern medicine to remove vitamin deficiencies. Just as green vegetables are prescribed to remove the deficiency of vitamin A and iron, gemstones remove negative influence of a particular planet. Of course, there is the general warning that good fortune does not mean giving up all efforts; one should not depend entirely on the stone itself!
During a lecture in Nairobi to our Ladies Club, an astrologer mentioned that diamonds helped the skin, imparted a glow and were especially beneficial to women. Naturally, we all loved the idea, and yes, wearing diamonds would definitely bestow a sparkle!
The last word
I feel that the point is more psychological than astrological. We are all aware of the positive and negative thoughts and their consequences. If a person has more negative thoughts, his or her whole outlook for life becomes pessimistic. If a gemstone helps one to think positively, then the total effect will be positive and beneficial.
Some time back, I put the question, on whether planets and gemstones have any positive or negative effect on people, to Swami Swaroopanandaji of the Chinmaya Mission. He said: “The human body is made up of matter (the five elements), so are the planets. Matter will affect matter. But, you are not matter!”
The fact is that we are divine; our true nature is Sat, Chid and Ananda (Existence, Consciousness and Bliss). If we know and realize this, we rise above our body and mind, and remain undisturbed by the world of matter and its influences.
Image from The Natural Sapphire Company
