MYSTICAL AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF PEARLS
Divers
are the virtues of gems; some give favor in the sight of lords ; some
protect against fire ; others make people beloved ; others give wisdom;
some render men invisible; others repel lightning; some baffle poisons
; some protect and augment treasures, and others cause that husbands
should love their wives.
Arabic version of Solomon's writings.
HILE
no special gems are mentioned in the tribute which the Arabs credit to
Solomon, it seems that pearls must certainly have been included, for in
nearly all countries where these gems have been prized and from the
earliest period, they have been credited with mystic properties and
healing virtues.
In
the first chapter of this book, reference was made to the Atharva-veda,
dating from at least 2400 years ago, and its allusion to the use of an
amulet of pearl shell and of pearls among the Hindus in bestowing long
life and prosperity upon young Brahmanical disciples. As this amulet is
fastened upon the youth, the following hymn is recited, according to
this ancient Veda of the Atharvans :
Born of the wind, the atmosphere, the lightning, and the light, may this pearl shell, born of gold, protect us from straits !
With
the shell which was born in the sea, at the head of bright substances,
we slay the Rakshas and conquer the Atrins [devouring demons]. With the
shell [we conquer] disease and poverty ; with the shell, too, the
Sadanvas. The shell is our universal remedy; the pearl shall protect us
from straits !
Born
in the heavens, born in the sea, brought on from the river [Sindhu],
this shell, born of gold, is our life-prolonging amulet. The amulet,
born from the sea, a sun, born from Vritra [the cloud], shall on all
sides protect us from the missiles of the gods and the Asuras ! Thou
art one of the golden substances, thou art born from Soma [the moon].
Thou art sightly on the chariot, thou art brilliant on the quiver. (May
it prolong our lives!)
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