Gemstones as remedies remedies (The gems related quotations from the t he Puranas given are courtesy Mr. Richard Brown, the famous gemologist) This gemstone remedy amuses and interests me. I am a professional astrologer, astrologer, practicing and studying for the past 25 years. I learned Vedic astrology studying the various Sashtras and got further guidance from my relative Mr. K. N. Rao, the famous astrologer. To this day I have not found a single Astrology Sashtra, which prescribes prescribes gems as a ―remedy‖ for anything – from from Parashara in 3000BC to Ramadayalu in 19th century AD!! So based on what are we supposed to prescribe gems as ―remedies‖? ―remedies‖? A book known as ―Mani Mala‖ by S. M. Tagore, written in 1879 is quoted by many, but it is not an accepted classic of astrology. I am not against gems or gemologists. Gems are beautiful and the gemologists are the gem experts. I have bought various gems for my wife and daughter and I am happy with their beauty and with the gemologist who gave them. t hem. Gem therapy also exists in Ayurveda in the form f orm of Ratna Bhasma as a cure for several diseases. But I am dead against the fraudulent astrologers who know nothing about remedies but prescribe several stones to make money. Gems are prescribed in several Vedic astrology scriptures for keeping in the Pooja of various planets. They are also prescribed as a Dana in various v arious astrological remedies. remedies. They are also used in several Ayurvedic preparations. However Vedic astrology scriptures have not prescribed the wearing of gems as a remedy anywhere. The Brihat Parasara Horasastra by Rishi Parasara prescribes a lot of remedie remediess but doesn‘t prescribe wearing wearing of gems as remedy. The same with the other other authentic Vedic astrology scriptures written by other sages like Jaimini, Garga, Varahamihira etc. These highly evolved Rishis knew all the scriptures like the Vedas and Puranas, but ignored the gems as a remedy and prescribed only Poojas and recital of mantras and Stotras plus Dana. There are some Sanskrit verses from f rom the Sashtras quoted quite frequentl f requently y by these gem-selling gem-selling astrologers. But the verses mostly say, ―Suns colour is red, direction is east, nature is hot, metal is gold, gem is ruby…..yo ruby…..you u can can keep them while doing the sun pooja….and after the pooja if you want you can wear them (meaning no need to either throw away or give away the Rubies and Diamonds!)‖ etc. They don‘t prescribe the gems as a remedy for anything!! The same goes for the verses verses in the Vedas. A verse from the Rig Veda says, ― May the
Sun, whom we pray, and who rules our existence, give us the required money and may he protect our savings for buying gems….‖. This is merely asking for prosperity so that one can buy gold and gems like Rubies etc. and not a remedial prescription for anything! If you have enough to buy gold and Rubies you are a well off man! They impress people by the so-called ―authentic ancient Vedic prescriptions‖ and get away with it because to day 99% people don‘t understand Sanskrit. Truths and half-truths, when told in a nicely camouflaged manner, make wonderful lies. A famous espionage training dictum taught to the agents by the famous CIA is, ―Base your lies on a verifiable truth‖. Our gem selling astrologers are very up-to-date! In all the Indian scriptures, there are a few instances where gems are recommended as remedy for planets. Narada Purana which prescribes gems as a remedy for planets. ―The loss and gain depends upon the planets. Hence one should placate them with effort when they start giving untoward fruit (viparitaphala). For placating the sun and others one should wear in the order of ruby for Sun, pearl for Moon, Coral for Mars,. Emerald for Mercury, Yellow Sapphire for Jupiter, Diamond for Venus, Blue Sapphire for Saturn, Gomeda for Rahu and Cat‘s Eye Gem for Ketu.‖ The following are more quotes from other scriptures. Garuda Purana Ch.69: ―The potent semen of Vala transformed into the seeds of quartz (rock crystal), also known as Bhisma stones. These seeds germinated primarily in the Himalayas and the lands to their north. These crystals are usually transparent and colorless, and are often so brilliant that they are mistaken for diamonds. Any one respectfully wearing a pure quartz crystal set in gold will attain good fortune in this life and be protected from dangerous animals such as tigers, leopards, wolves, elephants, and lions. Pure quartz is also an amulet giving the wearer extraordinary sexual prowess. Wearing quartz while offering libations to departed ancestors insures them lasting happiness. It is also a talisman against drowning, burning and theft. These attributes pertain to pure flawless quartz, and knowledgeable gemologists advise that flawed varieties that are included, fractured, or discolored should be completely avoided.‖ Agni Purana, Chapter 246, Verse 7 & 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.‖ Sri Garuda Purana states, ―The potency of a high-quality ruby is such that even an ignorant person living a sinful life and surrounded by deadly enemies is saved by wearing such a gem. Anyone wearing such a naturally effulgent ruby would be freed from diseases caused by any imbalance of the bodily functions.‖
After that there is a warning: ―A ruby, although genuine, should not be worn if it has strong color banding, excessive inclusions within like numerous internal cracks, a sandy appearance, a rough surface, or is dull and lusterless. Anyone using such a flawed ruby, even out of ignorance, will suffer from disease, or loss of fortune. — Sri Garuda Puranam: Chap. 70. Everything in this world, both the living and the non living, emit some positive vibrations and some negative vibrations called ―spandana‖. Only the highly evolved Paramahamsa level saints and yogis know how to control them properly. The astrology scriptures don‘t acknowledge gems as a remedial measure. In Vedic astrology we need an authentic classical authority from an acknowledged astrology scripture based on which to prescribe the remedies and cannot prescribe gemstones on the sayings of a Tom Dick & Harry! Moreover no one knows on what basis to prescribe the gems. Is it for the flaws in the Birth chart, or for bad Dasas, or for bad transits, or for a specific purpose? Suppose Saturn is bad in a chart. You want to prescribe a gem for it. What about the lagna wise malefic and benefic planets? And what about the rasi analysis and the badhaka lords? Suppose Saturn is bad for your lagna but good for your rasi? Do we prescribe or not? Even amongst the gem prescribing astrologers the basis of prescribing a gem is a split issue. They are divided into two opposing philosophies, viz., Anukul-vad & Pratikul-vad. ANUKULA-VAD: A gem will act ―SAME‖ as it‘s planet – So gems should be chosen for Anukul (favorable) grahas. PRATIKUL-VAD: A gem will act ―OPPOSITE‖ of it‘s planet – So gems should be chosen for Pratikul (unfavorable) grahas. However the majority of the famous and learned astrologers agree that the gems should be used for a native‘s ANUKUL GRAHAS (benefic planets) to harness the benefic influence. They do not act OPPOSITE of their Grahas and so gems should not be used for a native‘s PRATIKUL GRAHAS (malefic planets). So according to this they are only boosters for the good planetss and not a remedy for the bad ones? In this case the learned experts are doing the opposite of the Narada Purana verse ―Hence one should placate them with effort when they (start) giving untoward fruit (viparita-phala). For placating the sun and others one should wear in the order of ruby for Sun….‖ Apart from that, as we know each planet has its positive effects and its negative effects – in every sign and in every house. Suppose a planet by nature or situation
is good for profession and bad for children. If the corresponding gem is prescribed and the planet becomes stronger, suppose he gets a promotion but his child dies?? No one knows how to control the positive and negative factors. I have discussed this with several gem-prescribing ―pundits‖ and no one could come up with a proper answer. All our kings used to wear loads of gems and all of them were beaten black and blue by every foreign invader from Alexander to the British!! Since the authentic verses say, ―Suns colour is red, direction is east, nature is hot, metal is gold, gem is ruby…..‖ etc. etc. let me suggest a cheaper remedy for you: Go to your office wearing red suite or red Sari and red shoes, keep a heater under your seat and sit facing the east (probably the toilet), use red color stationary and pen – and expect the Sun God to be pleased with you and give auspicious results!! If you take the remedies to fanatic and foolish extents, you‘ll become a prey to the cheats and charlatans and waste your time and a lot of money. A stone can‘t change anybody‘s destiny; only Poojas, Mantras and Stotras can – if properly done. That‘s why our ancient seers prescribed them and ignored the gems. Stick to the authentic prescriptions of the astrology Sashtras. I agree that a lot of things we have today were not there in the ancient days, like computers or antibiotic medicines or heart operations, and were not prescribed in the Sashtras. But gems were there in those days and yet were ignored as an astrological cure. So their uselessness as a remedy is obvious. A few Puranas prescribe them but there are so many warnings, ifs and buts and hit and trial methods that I prefer staying away from them as remedies. A standard answer by a lot of these astrologers is ‖ This was told by my guru Sri Sri Sri 1008 Ananda Maharaj!!‖. When you ask where he is, the reply is that he wanders in the high Himalayas and doesn‘t normally give darshan to every one!! So you see we can never verify from him. However one effect of the gemstones is guaranteed. If you wear a big sparkling diamond, a lot of people, with their Venus or the 7th lord (of marriage/love life) afflicted, will be attracted to you! A lot of practicing astrologers get some very lucrative ―offers‖ from gem-sellers, from cuts in prescriptions to promoting gem-cure books. I get quite a few offers!! The average Indian astrologer gets less than Rs.100/- for a prediction. But if he prescribes a ―Pukhraj‖ or yellow topaz, which is the most prescribed stone, its worth Rs.15000/ to Rs.25000/- and his cut is a cool 10%. It is normally prescribed
with a warning, like ‖ The quality and colour must be right and it must be flawless‖. So you see, either the gullible man buys it through the prescribing astrologer or brings it for his ―approval‖ and the astrologer is assured of his commission! This gem prescription has become so common that, leave alone the general public, even a lot of astrologers actually believe in it. What is more, the common man believes so much in this gem-remedy that, an astrologer not prescribing gems is frowned upon and regarded as someone who does not know about the ―proper remedies‖!! So not many astrologers have the guts to tell the truth. My last take on this subject; The MD in Heaven has His door open and saying repeatedly in many scriptures – from Gita to Gajendra Moksham – ―Seek me and I will come to your rescue‖. So instead of going to Him why do you want to go the Chaprasi?!
