Elements of Hindu Iconography v1.c8.171

v1.c8.171

The *vaijayanti* is a necklace composed of a successive series of groups of gems, each group wherein has five gems in a particular order; it is described in the *Vishṇupurāṇa* thus :—‘ “Vishṇu’s necklace called *vaijayanti* is five-formed as it consists of the five elements, and it is therefore called the elemental necklace.” Here *five-formed* points to five different kinds of gems, namely, the pearl, ruby, emerald, blue-stone, and diamond. The *Vishṇurahasya* also says, ‘From the earth comes the blue gem, from water the pearl, from fire the *kaustubha*, from air the cat’s eye and from ether the *Pushparāga*.” ’*