Bead & Button – October 2019

anything goes

66 October 2019

l

ong ago when magic still filled the air, a powerful demon, Vala, shook the balance of the world. He battled all the gods

and demigods of the universe. Upon overpowering Indra, king of the heavens and thunder, Vala became ruler of All.

Great hardship followed, so the deities gathered and developed a plan to destroy Vala. The gods tricked the tyrannical demon

into participating in a mock sacrifice, killed the oppressive ruler, and cut him into pieces. Since Vala willingly participated

in the sacrifice, his body was purified.

The parts of Vala fell to Earth, and transformed into the seeds of precious gemstones. These seeds scattered into the great

waters, the dense forests, and the pristine mountains. Vala’s bones transformed into the seeds of diamonds. His blood

became seeds of rubies. Skin created seeds of yellow sapphires. Teeth spawned pearl seeds, the fingernails became garnet

seeds, the eyes turned into blue sapphire seeds, intestines into coral seeds, and bile into emerald seeds. Even his body fat

became jade seeds, and f luids became quartz seeds. Lastly, his final war cry transformed into seeds of cat’s-eye gemstones.

Since the seeds came from a powerful, yet pure, source, all of the corresponding stones took on protective powers.

Many who follow Hinduism and Indian arts and culture still attribute energy and healing powers to the above mentioned

gemstones and the corresponding body parts.

Of diamonds and demons

The retelling of a Hindi story about gemstone origins • by Diane Jolie

Today, with magic and

demons a thing of make-

believe, the power of

gemstones continues to

be embraced by many.

PH

OT

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