This ability to elicit so much envy and desire has drawn connections between the Kohinoor and another highly coveted iconic diamond, the Syamantaka Mani. The royal jewel has had a tumultuous journey frequently changing hands, leaving bloodshed in its wake, and becoming a symbol of power for whoever owned it. If there’s one famous diamond we’ve all heard of, it’s the Kohinoor.
Image: Kurmavatara (Vishnu’s Incarnation as a Tortoise), c. The epic tug of war which brought to the surface many treasures including, the ‘Kaustuba Mani’, a rare green hued diamond.
With the touch of Vishnu’s feet, Bali’s earthly body turned into rare jewels, including diamonds that scattered all over the earth. Bali was humbled and true to his word so when Vishnu asked where he should take his third step, he offered his head. In one step Vishnu encompassed the earth in his second step he captured the heavens. The king agreed but to his surprise the dwarf started to grow to unimaginable heights with his head overtaking even the clouds. To stop him, the god Vishnu appeared in the avatar of an ascetic dwarf and asked the demon king for three steps of land on which he could meditate in peace. One tale about the origin of diamonds describes the demon Bali performing a great prayer to defeat the gods. Image via / BnFĭemons and diamonds seem to go hand in hand in ancient Indian mythology where the boundaries between good and evil are often a little blurred. Legend has it that the Valley of Diamonds treasured many gems including natural diamonds. The stories describe a deep, hidden ravine guarded by fearsome snakes and sharp rocks but filled with precious gemstones such as natural diamonds. While the location of the valley is unclear, some have speculated that it could be in India. The food would be picked up by hungry eagles that roosted on the mountain peaks and from whom the gems could then be retrieved. The only way to access these treasures was to throw pieces of meat into the chasm that would stick to the stones. One recurring story was that of the Valley of Diamonds, which appears in multiple eastern sources from as far back as the 4 th century. Natural diamonds are so rare to find, it’s no wonder that many legends circulated about the mysterious lands in which they were found. Image: Page from a Dispersed Bhagavata Purana, ca. Meanwhile a 6 th century encyclopaedia called the Brihatsamhita details the types of diamonds found across the country, their price, and the gods which are associated with it declaring, “A diamond which is white and has six sides is sacred to Indra.”Īncient Hindu texts contain extensive studies on the various natural diamonds and believe it to be a source of protection. As far back as the 1 st century, ancient Hindu religious texts have spoken about the importance of flawless diamonds for protection, “from attack by poisonous serpents, tigers, thieves, and deadly poisons.” A 4 th century treatise called the Ratna Pariksha was dedicated to the grading and study of gemstones, particularly natural diamonds. The philosophy and science of gemstone study dates back to time immemorial. They demonstrate the rich, enduring legacy of India and its epic diamonds. These often come in the form of ancient myths and legends, documented in writings or passed down through oral tradition.
While the exact beginnings of the love affair between man and diamonds might be unrecorded, there are a few brief flashes of illumination. Until natural diamonds were discovered in Brazil in the 18 th century, India was the source for a vast majority of gemstones. Image: Kurmavatara (Vishnu's Incarnation as a Tortoise), c. Gods, demons, natural diamonds with magical powers, and indestructible weapons-myth and history collide in these stories from, and inspired by, ancient India.
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