Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c43.s3.t13.77

v2.c43.s3.t13.77

We have indicated earlier that the ancient Sanskrit texts propagated the view that gems on the earth had been produced from different constituents of the body of the slain demon Bala. His teeth were converted to pearls. *Ratnaparīkṣā* (*RP*, 72-74) and *Garuḍa Purāṇa* (*GP*, 1.69.20-22) described that the seeds (Bala’s teeth) fell from the sky along with water from the clouds, and both together entered the oyster shell and were converted into pearls. Agastimata (*AM*, 107) provided the same description.