History, Mythology and Use of Gems and Gem Therapy continues.....

Vamana then took his true identity and grew to enormous proportions. In the first step he spanned the length from heaven to the earth, in the second step he spanned length from earth to the netherworld. Bali was unable to fulfil his promise and offered his head (considered to be the sacred space) for the third step.

Mahavishnu was very pleased with this gesture and as his august feet touched the head of Bali he was granted immortality. His body crystallized, disintegrated and fell to the earth. Every singular body part became a gemstone.
The origin of Gemstones as per the Legend of King Bali is listed below:

Gemstone Originated from
Ruby Pearl Coral
Yellow Sapphire Blue Sapphire Diamond Hessonite
Cat’s Eye Turquoise
Ghrit Mani/Peridot Tail Mani Bheeshmak Upalak Mani/Opal
Sphatik Mani/Rock Crystal Parasmani/Goldstone
Uluk Mani
Lapis Lazuli/Lazwarth Masar Mani
Ishiv Mani Blood of Bali and hence has deep red to pink colour Mind of Bali
Portion of blood that flowed into the sea Flesh
Eyes Brain
Fat of the body
From the sacred thread known as the Yagyopavit Nervous System
Pieces of waist Skin
Pieces of head Cough and Phlegm Sweat
Pieces of the heart Pieces of the tongue Hair
Faeces
Semen
Chandrakant/Moonstone Pupils


A total of 84 different organs and parts became gemstones. Out of these 84, a total of 21 are described as precious jewels due to their radiance.
Only nine gemstones out of these 21 are called as the Navaratna due to their special properties and radiance. Hence there are 9 major gemstones, 12 common gemstones and 63 normally found gemstones also known as substitute gemstones or uparatnas. Sage Varahmihir cites this story in his book
Brihat Samhita.

To be continued………….