Navaratna, Navratna, Navratn, Navarathinam, or Navarathna literally means nine gems. “Nava” meaning “nine” and “Ratna” meaning “gem”. Literatures on Navaratna or nine gemstones can be traced back to our ancient vedic scriptures such as the Garuda Purana and Agni Purana. As a matter of fact, a number of new-era jyotish scriptures such as the “Brihat Jataka” and “Mani Mala” have revived the importance of Navaratna (nine gemstones). The Navaratna is said to symbolize the ancient solar system consisting of Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune (excluding Earth and Pluto of the modern-times’ solar system). Generally, when an astrologer tells you to wear a Navaratna, that means you have to wear all the nine gemstones together either as a ring, bracelet, bangle, necklace, earrings, or pendant. :
माणिक्यं तरणेः सुजात्यममलं मुक्ताफलं शीतगोः
माहेयस्य च विद्रुमं मरकतं सौम्यस्य गारुत्मतम
देवेज्यस्य च पुष्पराजमसुराचार्यस्य वज्रं शनेः
नीलं निर्मलमन्ययोश्च गदिते गोमेदवैदूर्यके
The above verses are in Sanskrit which sounds like the verses shown below in English :
maaNikyaM taraNeH sujaatyamamalaM muktaaphalaM shiitagoH
maaheyasya cha vidrumaM marakataM saumyasya gaarutmatama
devejyasya cha puShparaajamasuraachaaryasya vajraM shaneH
niilaM nirmalamanyayoshcha gadite gomedavaiduuryake
The verses literally explains what Navaratna means :
Ruby (known as Manik, Manikam, or Manek) is dedicated to Surya (Sun)
Pearl (known as Muthu or Moti) is dedicated to Chandra (Moon)
Red Coral (known as Moonga or Pavalam) is dedicated to Kuja / Mangala / Sevvai (Mars)
Emerald (known as Panna, Marakatha, Marakatham, or Marakatha Pachai) is dedicated to Budha (Mercury)
Yellow Sapphire (known as Pukharaj or Pushparagam) is dedicated to Guru / Brihaspati (Jupiter)
White Diamond (known as Vairam or Heera) is dedicated to Shukra (Venus)
Blue Sapphire (known as Nilam or Neelam) is dedicated to Shani (Saturn)
Hessonite (known as Gomedh or Gomedham) is dedicated to Rahu (the ascending node of the Moon)
Cat’s Eye (known as Vaidurya or Vaiduryam) is dedicated to Kethu (the descending node of the Moon)
Also, these gems must be high born, clean, and free from defects as well as minor cracks (flawless).
In the above verses too, the words “sujatyam-amalam” (sujati meaning high born and amala meaning completely pure or flawless) are of great importance. According to Indians, only clean, flawless, and high quality gems are considered auspicious.
Apart from that, the ancient “Garuda Purana” (chapter 68 ; verse 17) states that :
“Pure, clean, and flawless gems have auspicious powers which can protect an individual from demons, snakes, poisons, diseases, sinful reactions, and other dangers ; while the flawed stones have the opposite effect on an individual.”
And on “Agni Purana” (chapter 247 ; verses 7 and 😎 :
“A gem free from all impurities and radiating its characteristic through an internal shine and lustre should be looked upon as an escort of good luck and a gem which is cracked, fissured, devoid of shine and lustre or appearing rough and sandy, must not be used at all.”
During the earlier days, only the Indians (and those with ancient-Indo ties like Sri Lankans, Thais, Burmese, and Indonesians) were very fond of Navaratna jewelleries but, today, the Navaratna gemstones and jewelleries are being sought after globally as it is highly believed to be auspicious to the wearer. Even, the native Red Indians have a brief history pertaining to Navaratna.
However, in modern times, many have misunderstood the term “Navaratna” and have substituted the originally classified precious gemstones with semi-precious crystals as the cost of a so-called “semi-precious Navaratna” are very much cheaper than Navaratna gems that consist of Ruby, Pearl, Red Coral, Emerald, Yellow Sapphire, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Hessonite, and Cat’s Eye. Keep in mind that a Navaratna is never a single gemstone. A single gemstone is called by it’s own name like Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Pink Pearl, et cetera.
What Are The Benefits Of Navaratna Gemstones ?
The benefits of Navaratna gemstones are manifold as given below :
Ruby represents the Sun
Rubies appease Lord Surya. Those whom have a weak Sun in their horoscopes and those suffering from the evil effects of Sun due to unfavourable Surya dasa and bhukthi will benefit greatly. Rubies are also a symbol of health, wisdom, wealth, and success in love.
Pearl represents the Moon
Pearl appease Lord Chandra. Those whom have a weak Moon in their horoscopes and those suffering from the evil effects of Moon due to unfavourable Chandra dasa and bhukthi will benefit greatly.Is a symbol of female energy and it is worn to give strength to the heart. It also alleviates mental worries and depressions.
Red Coral represents the Mars
Red Corals appease Lord Kuja. Those whom have a weak Mars in their horoscopes and those suffering from the evil effects of Mars due to unfavourable Kuja dasa and bhukthi will benefit greatly. Red Corals instill courage and also helps to cure blood related ailments.
Emerald represents the Mercury
Emeralds appease Lord Budha. Those whom have a weak Mercury in their horoscopes and those suffering from the evil effects of Mercury due to unfavourable Budha dasa and bhukthi will benefit greatly. It is believed to protect against illnesses, physical danger, and evils.
Yellow Sapphire represents Jupiter
Yellow Sapphires appease Lord Brihaspathi. Those whom have a weak Jupiter in their horoscopes and those suffering from the evil effects of Jupiter due to unfavourable Guru dasa and bhukthi will benefit greatly. Yellow Sapphire stone is one of the most widely used gem that help achieve success in career and stability in love-life. It also improves one’s ability to learn and their creative skills.
Diamond represents Venus
Diamonds (pure white diamonds) appease Lord Shukra. Those whom have a weak Venus in their horoscopes and those suffering from the evil effects of Venus due to unfavourable Shukra dasa and bhukthi will benefit greatly. Diamonds are believed to enhance the name and fame of the wearer.
Blue Sapphire represents Saturn
Blue sapphire removes evil effects of Saturn. Blue Sapphires appease Lord Shani. Those whom have a weak Saturn in their horoscopes and those suffering from the evil effects of Saturn due to unfavourable Shani dasa and bhukthi, Sade Sati, Jenma Shani, Ardha Ashtama Shani, Kenda Shani, and Ashtama Shani will benefit greatly. It’s long been the favorite among priests and kings, who considered it symbol of wisdom and purity.
Hessonite represents Rahu
Hessonites appease Lord Rahu. Those whom have a weak Rahu in their horoscopes and those suffering from the evil effects of Rahu due to unfavourable Rahu dasa and bhukthi will benefit greatly. This stone fulfills ambitions, improves social relationships, and protects the wearer from sudden misfortunes.
Cat’s Eye represents Kethu
Cat’s Eye appeases Lord Surya. Those whom have a weak Kethu in their horoscopes and those suffering from the evil effects of Kethu due to unfavourable Kethu dasa and bhukthi will benefit greatly. Cat’s Eye protects the wearer from enemies, mysterious dangers, and diseases.
Who Can Wear Navaratna Gemstones ?
According to Vedic astrology scriptures the following are given :
Men can wear Navaratna Gemstones.
Married Men must not wear Navaratna Gemstones after dusk.
Ladies must not wear Navaratna Gemstones unless their birthchart and horoscope indicates otherwise.
Boys below the age of 8 years, must not wear Navaratna Gemstones.
Men can wear the Navaratna ring on their right hand and on ring finger.
Ladies who has been prescribed by a learned vedic astrologer to wear Navaratna, can wear it on their ring finger of the left hand.
It is highly suggested that, you should not wear the Navaratna ring, pendant, bracelet, and bangle while attending a funeral, during mourning period, while attending puberty function, et cetera.
One should also avoid wearing the ring while eating meat and while going to the toilet.
Ladies should not wear it during their menstrual cycles and pregnancies.
The Navaratna can be worn with gold, silver, of panchaloga (five metals). Avoid wearing it with copper.
Avoid wearing them below
How To Wear Navaratna ?
Once you have purchased a Navaratna ring, bracelet, bangle, or a pendant free from defects, you will have to cleanse (suddhi) it first before wearing it and the procedures are as given below :
1. Wash it with water to remove any grease and dust attached to it. After that, you can also wash it with Ganga Jal (water from the Ganges).
2. Soak it in pure cow’s milk overnight. Some scriptures suggest to soak the Navaratna jewelry in Panchagavya / Panchakavya (mixture of cow’s milk, ghee, cow dung, cow urine/komayam, and butter) for 9 thithi days. However, nowadays it is very rare to get pure panchagavya materials (some tend to have inorganic materials and chemicals) and therefore, we do not advice you to soak it for 9 days.
3. Next day, bring it to a temple and wash it with the holy water given in temple (preferably, abhisheka water).
4. Chant all the Navagraha Gayatri Mantra (Surya, Chandra, Angara, Budha, Brihaspathi, Shukra, Shani, Rahu, and Kethu) and then wear it. Wearing it in a temple with God’s blessings is considered very auspicious.
5. You must wear the Navaratna on an auspicious day according to your birthstar (Nakshatra). The planetary Hora of that time must be auspicious too. Full Moon Day (Purnima / Pournami) is considered a very good day to wear the Navaratna ring or Navaratna pendant or Navaratna bracelet. Some astrologers would advice you to wear the ring before sunrise.
6. You should never wear a Navaratna or any one of the nine gems classified as Navaratna below the waist. Nowadays, jewellery designers have come up with Navaratna Anklets et cetera, wearing them will only bestow the wearer with ill effects and increase your dosha.
7. The Diamond in a Navaratna ring should always point outwards (towards your nail) and the Blue Sapphire must always point inwards (towards your knuckles / body).
8. If you are wearing a Navaratna pendant, the diamond should be pointing upwards (towards your neck) and the blue sapphire pointing downwards (towards your chest)
Once you have cleansed and energized the Navaratna gemstones, make sure that you do not allow another person to touch the stone as their energies (especially, negative energies) might be absorbed by the gemstones which will then cause adverse effect to you. However, close family members like spouse, kids, and parents might accidentally touch the gemstones and this should not be an issue. Cleansing them on bi-weekly basis or once a month is advised. One can also cleanse the negative energies absorbed by the gemstones via healing crystal bowl once a month.