Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c39.s8.2

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.