Vedic Text
The teeth of the great demon Vala, scattered throughoutthe celestial regions, fell like stars into the oceans below and becameseeds for a species of gems with the luster of full moon beams. Enteringinto the shells of oysters lying within the ocean depths, these seeds becamepearls.
Oyster pearls found along the coasts of Sri Lanka, Bengal,and Persia, Indonesia and other lands located in the Southern Hemisphereare superior in shape, color, size, ad other qualities to those from othercountries.
Besides oyster pearls there are seven other types foundin conch shells, wild boars' heads, elephant heads, king cobra's heads,bamboo stems, clouds, and fish heads.
Pearls from elephant heads, bamboo stems, boar heads,fish mouths, and conch shells are lusterless, even though possessed ofother auspicious qualities. Pearls from conch shells are usually the sizeof a large kona (the large and of a drum stick), and they possess a colorsimilar to their host shell.
Fish pearls are perfectly round and symmetrical. Theypossess a yellowish hue like the scales of the pathenam fish which ofteninhabit the mouths of deep sea whales.
Boar pearls are colored like a boar's tusks and are foundonly in remote parts of the world. Such pearls are auspicious symbols ofthe Varaha board incarnation of the Supreme Lord, Sri Vishnu.
Pearls derived from bamboo appear like hailstones in color,and they are found only within bamboo that has grown in a region populatedby religious people.
Pearls from the cobra's hood are perfectly round, likefish pearls, and they radiate a natural effulgence. By repeated washing,a snake pearl becomes as lustrous as a polished sword blade. Anyone possessingsuch a naga-mani attains piety, rare good fortune, and eventually becomesillustrious as a leader of men, complete with a great collection of allprecious gems.
Upon acquiring such a snake pearl, the owner should havethe rite of installation performed y a priest who is learned in religiousformalities. After hearing from the owner how the pearl was obtained andconducting the benedictory ritual, the priest should formally install thejewel inside the owner's house. On such an auspicious occasion, the skybecomes filled with dark and heavy rain clouds, thunder, and flashing lightning,such as exhibited at the time of universal dissolution. A man in possessionof such a snake pearl will never be troubled by snakes, demonic beingsdiseases, or disturbances in any form.
Cloud pearls, being naturally effulgent like the sun,illuminate the sky in all directions and dispel the darkness of cloudydays. Glowing brighter than the combined light of the moon, the twinklingstars, and fire, a cloud-born pearl dissipates even the darkest night exactlylike the sunrise. A cloud pearl is so priceless that the entire earth,with here oceans filled with countless jewels and covered in layers ofgold, would not be equal in value. Cloud pearls rarely reach this earthlyworld, because they are usually taken away by the demigods.
Even a low born man would become supreme ruler of theentire world if, as result of some past pious actions, he were to comeinto possession of such a pearl. The appearance of such a man on earthwho obtained a cloud pearl during his lifetime would bring good fortunenot only to himself, but to the entire human race as well. No form of evilcould even touch the land within an 8,000 mile radius of his birthplace.
An expert gemologist should appraise pearls accordingto their size, shape, and other qualities, rather than their place of origin.
Oyster pearls are the only type capable of being drilledthrough their centers. This is the method used for drilling pearls: First,the pearls should be mixed in bowl of rice previously soaked in lime juice.After simmering for some time on low heat, the pearls should be removedand rubbed with cool boiled rice water. After soaking, they should be piercedthrough the center.
To clean pearls they should be kept in a covered claycontainer and lightly boiled in either milk, water, or wine. Thereafter,they should be carefully rubbed in a peace of pure linen cloth until theyregain their natural luster. This process of cleaning pearls was taughtby the great Vyadhi (Vyadhi was, according to the Sanskrit dictionary ofV.S. Apte, a celebrated grammarian. Vyadhisa is a name for Lord Vishnu,most probably His Dhanvantari incarnation, in which form the Lord revealedthe medical science to mankind. This latter meaning seems more suitableto this verse), out of his compassion for the learned and virtuous.
Pearls worn by either kings or men of noble rank shouldbe kept in a glass container, soaking in a solution of mercury and gold.This is the process followed by pearl experts in Sri Lanka.
The test for a genuine pearl is to soak the specimen overnightin a mixture of warm oil and salt. The natural pearl will remain unaffected.Another test is to rub the specimen pearl with a peace of dry cotton clothand rice. A genuine pearl will no lose its color or luster in any way.
A pearl of the highest quality should be white, translucent,round in shape, lustrous, and of good weight and size.
A large, round white pearl with effulgent luster and witha clean, even hole drilled through its center, which charms even a personwho is not even interested in pearls, should be considered as possessedof a rare, good quality. The owner of such a pearl will never suffer anyform of ill fortune.
A pearl of the highest quality should be white, translucent,round in shape, lustrous, and of good weight and size.
A large, round white pearl with effulgent luster and witha clean, even hole drilled through its center, which charms even a personwho is not even interested in pearls, should be considered as possessedof a rare, good quality. The owner of such a pearl will never suffer anyform of ill fortune.
---Sri Garuda Puranam: Chap. 69