Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c39.s8: Maṇi in the Vedic Literature
Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c39.s8
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Maṇi in the Vedic Literature
v2.c39.s8.1
Minerals and gems abounded in the sites of the Harappan civilization and later in Taxilā and the *mahājanapada* sites during the Histrorical Period. Quite strangely however, the Vedic literatures do not mention or name any significant number of minerals or inorganic gems.
v2.c39.s8.2
Gold and silver were of course mentioned as *maṇi* or *ratna*. *Lohamaṇi* in *Chā. Up.*, 6.1.5 meant red (copper) *maṇi* or bead, and not ruby as some scholars have surmised. The word *maṇi* meant ‘anything which decorates’. In the *Atharva Veda*, many plant products such as *jangida* (*AV*, 2.4.1-6), *udumbara*, *darbha*, etc. were stated to be used as decorative *maṇi* to ward off evils.
v2.c39.s8.3
Gems of organic origin such as ivory, conch-shell, pearl are not usually classified as minerals (which are by definition inorganic); these were used in the Vedic ages as *maṇi*, or gems.
v2.c39.s8.4
*Kā. ŚS*, 22.2.22.28 informs that elephants were reared mostly in the eastern part of India, and we have found ivory specimens underneath the early archaeological sites in the Gaṅgā-Yamunā Valley. *AV*, 3.22 refers to the use of ivory.
v2.c39.s8.5
Conch-shell or *śaṅkha* was used to issue proclaiming sound *śaṅkha dhmāyamānasya* (*ninādit*) (*B.Up.*, 2.4.8; 4.5.9). *Kṛśan* or pearl was possibly conch-pearl. The Ṛgvedic poet has described *kṛśan* decorating the chariot of Savitā (*RV*, 1.35.4) and the horses (*RV*, 10.68.1). *Saḍvimśa Brāhmaṇa*, 5.6.13.3 called pearl a *samudramani*. The *Atharva Veda*, 4.10.1-7 discusses the origin of *śaṅkha* and *kṛśan*, as well as their uses as *maṇi* and ‘supernatural aids’ to ensure long life:
v2.c39.s8.6
स नो हिरण्यजाः शंखः कृशनः पातुम अहसः
*sa no hiraṇyajāḥ śaṅkhaḥ kṛśanaḥ pātuma ahasaḥ*
(4.10.1)
v2.c39.s8.7
दिवि जातः समुद्रजः सिन्धुतस्पर्याभृतः।
स नो हिरण्यजाः शंख आयुष्प्रतरणो मणिः
*divi jātaḥ samudrajaḥ sindhutasparyābhṛtaḥ*
*sa no hiraṇyajāḥ śaṅkha āyuṣprataraṇo maṇi*
(4.10.4)
v2.c39.s8.8
देवानाम् अस्थि कृशनं बभूव . . . वर्चसे बलाय
दीर्घायुत्वाय शतशारदाय कार्शनस्त्वाभि रक्षतु।।
*devānām asthi kṛśanam babhūva . . . varcase balāya*
*dīrghāyutvāya śataśāradāya kārśanastvābhi rakṣatu*
(4.10.7)
v2.c39.s8.9
We find in this passage a mixture of scientific observation and mystical belief. The shell and pearl are said to grow in the sea under atmospheric influences on the one hand; on the other, it is also proclaimed that pearl is god’s bone which when worn, ensures a long life.
Linked texts (6)
- Atharvavedasaṃhitā — Atharvan & Aṅgiras, Sanskrit
- Kātyāyanaśrautasūtra — Kātyāyana (Vājasaneyi sūtrakāra), Sanskrit
- Chāndogyopaniṣad — Sanskrit
- Bṛhadāraṇyakopaniṣad — Sanskrit
- Ṛgvedasaṃhitā — Sanskrit
- Ṣaḍviṃśabrāhmaṇa — Sanskrit