Read informative detailed article on astral-gems

Amar Thakur                                                                             

	The Suitable Astral Gem for you

Dear Amar Thakur I have prepared this exhaustive "Astral Gem Suitability" report for you on the basis of your Vedic birth-chart calculated for the following birth-data:

Born on : September 07, 1978 Birth time  : 7:48 hrs. (Zonal Standard Time in 24 hrs. format) Birth-place : Dharwar (015N28; 075E01), India

Your sidereal (Vedic) ascendant is 'Virgo'. I would like to remind you that please do not confuse it with your tropical (Western) ascendant, which may be same or a sign higher (in your case, it is 'Libra').

I am going to recommend you the "Key Astral Gem" representing the most "Anukul" planet (i.e. the most favourable and benefic planet) in your chart that would help you in most of the important affairs. The 'Anukul planet' means a planet that is either beneficially disposed either by being strong in own sign, good house, ruler of houses which will bring positive results, or otherwise not malefically disposed nor inclined to produce evil influence. A planet which is good for the chart either naturally or by house ruler ship yet somewhat weakened by placement may be strengthened through the gem, or a planet which already is strong and giving benefic influence may be further strengthened for gains in important areas of life by wearing the gem.

As per my calculations, the planet 'MERCURY' is your best friend for most of your life-aspects. I have reached this conclusion after comparing the beneficence values for various planets through intricate Jyotish calculations for your horoscope, which takes into consideration several principles for determining the functional nature of different planets, as benefics and malefics, as told by sage Parashara, and the principles told in various streams of Vedic Jyotish to measure the exact nature of the planets. The importance of various astrological parameters have been calibrated very carefully - as told in ancient Vedic Jyotish texts. However, at times, some special Jyotish principles may over-shadow the net result obtained through the normally used Parashari principles to determine the beneficence of a planet. In such cases, these special principles have been found prevailing and they may reduce (or enhance) beneficence of a planet considerably. I have considered these special principles also. The best suitable astral-gem (Jyotish-Gem) for you will be the Emerald ('Panna'). It represents the planet Mercury. It is imperative that the gems used for astrological purposes must be natural, untreated by heat to improve it’s brilliancy or have their colours enhanced, killed of it’s auric rays by irradiation. All gem stones will lose their inherent nature when such treatments are done. Therefore, it is strongly suggested that you should buy your gem from a qualified gemologist. The alternate (somewhat cheaper) astral-gems for Mercury are - Peridot, green tourmaline, diopside, green jade, tsavorite and other natural green gems of flawless quality. You may also wear them if cost of Emerald (Panna) is a deterrent to you.

Ancient Vedic scriptures say: "Anyone possessing a fine, flawless quality emerald of any of these shades of green is blessed with great good fortune."   -(Ref. Garuda Purana: Chapter 71) "But the fine emeralds of these areas possess mystical powers, even to neutralize the poison of a king cobra."   -(Ref. Garuda Purana: Chapter 71) "Emeralds should be mounted in yellow gold, and worn, both by the doctor and patient, during the treatment of any disease, especially those caused by poison or an imbalance of the bodyís vital airs."   -(Ref. Garuda Purana: Chapter 71) "Among all gems, fine, flawless quality jade has the greatest ability to remove negative karmic reactions."   -(Ref. Garuda Purana: Chapter 79)

Contradictory gems: You should normally not wear Pearl or moonstone along with Emerald ('Panna'), unless prescribed by a learned Jyotishi. These are inimical or incompatible to your prescribed gem(s).

Required weight of the gem: The minimum prescribed weight is 400 mg.

Metal of the ring: It should be set in a ring made of Silver/Gold/Bronze(Peetal).

In which finger, the ring should be worn? Vedic Astrology lays down very strict rules for the finger on which a Gemstone can be worn. The Emerald ('Panna') ring should be worn in Little finger ("Kanishthika"), which is the 4th and last finger after thumb. Like the Universe the human body is made up of 5 elements. In the case of the hand the little finger represents WATER element.

When the ring should be worn? The gems for Mercury should be worn on a Wednesday. It would be excellent Muhurta to wear this ring if Moon is transiting in either Ashlesha, Jyeshtha or Revati Nakshatra on a Wednesday. It would also be a very good Muhurta to wear this ring if Moon is in Gemini ('Mithuna') or Virgo ('Kanya') sign [the sign(s) owned by Mercury] on a Wednesday. To obtain the full benefic effects of the astral gem, it's ring should be made and worn while Moon is waxing ('Shukla-paksha') on the specified day &  time. Wearing it in one of the above three specified Nakshatras will enhance the benefic effects of the gem. The emerald (or it's substitutes) should be worn in "Sandhya-kaal" or "Gaudhuli vela", i.e. before dinner. But during this time duration also, select a good "Chaughadiya" for more precision. The ‘Amrit’, ‘Shubh’ and ‘Laabh’ are Good (favourable) Chaughadiyas. However, avoid 'Rahu-kaal' even if it is otherwise a good Chaughadia. It will make chances of your getting success in your desired object even more brighter.

The duration of effectiveness of the gem: The Emerald ('Panna') will remain effective for 3 years after wearing it. Thereafter, the metal of the ring needs to be changed.

What you need to do to fully energize the gem: Before wearing a gem, light lamp and incense stick and meditate on your God. Clean the ring in fresh milk and then Ganga water. After wearing the ring you should give alms of the items belonging to Mercury such as - Moong, Glucose, Ivory, Camphor, Fruit, Ghee, Bronze, Green cloth.

The Vedic Mantra to be recited: While wearing the astral-gem, recite following Name and Shakti Mantra for Mercury: Om Aim Bum Budhaya Namah The above is the special name (nama) mantra for the Mercury as preceded by it's Shakti or power mantra. It can be used to connect with the planetary deity and to energize all the higher powers of the Mercury. The word 'Aim' in above mantra denotes Vachana Shakti, the power of articulation, calling, guiding and teaching. The following mantras are also considered very good for planet Mercury. You may opt to recite one of the following mantra if you find it comparatively easy to remember. Om braam breem braum sah budhaya namah Om bum budhaaya namah

Mantra recitation method and timing: The mantras are chanted on japa beads of 108 beads per string. They are similar to rosaries. The Mercury's mantra may be recited 9,000 times within 21 days and puja performed with various flowers. Begin recitation on a Wednesday during the bright half of the Moon. Presence of 'Vishnu yantra' at the place of recitation may help you in achieving the desired results faster.

Mantra chanting posture: It is best to find a quiet time and place to chant the mantra. Better to chant attentively for 5 minutes, fully concentrating on the mantra, than to chant for an hour when the mind and senses are too disturbed by unnecessary stimuli. Bathe, then create a spiritually conducive atmosphere by lighting incense and doing some deep breathing to relax the mind and body. If chanting mantras for spiritual liberation, sit facing the north and if the mantras are for fulfillment of material desires, sit facing the east. Sit down cross-legged, if possible, but if this is difficult simply find a comfortable position that can be maintained for at least a short while. Its no good getting into a 'lotus post' if your mind is screaming from the physical discomfort. However, if this pose is comfortable, there is no better position for meditation.

The periods when Jyotish gem of Mercury would be most effective: The positive effect of wearing Emerald ('Panna') (or it's substitutes) would be felt by you almost every day but it's maximum effect would be felt during the planetary main or sub-periods ('Vimshottari dasas'/ 'Antardasas') of Mercury, when Mercury would be controlling most of your life-aspects. According to Vedic astrology, theoretical life of an individual is taken to be 120 years and this entire life span is divided into different main periods ('Mahadasas') of planets and within this main period, there are sub-periods ('Antardasas') of all the planets and then each sub-period can be further divided into sub-sub-periods ('Pratyantar dasas') of planets. This follows a predetermined sequence, but the starting point of which period at the time of birth is determined by the longitude of Moon at the time of birth. This concept is unique to Vedic astrology. The Vimshottari sub-periods ('Antardasha') of Mercury in your life, under main-periods ('Mahadasha') of different planets, will come during the following dates: Rahu-Merc: Jan.31, 1979 to Aug.20, 1981 (for 932 days) Jupi-Merc: Oct.20, 1993 to Jan.26, 1996 (for 828 days) Satu-Merc: Feb.22, 2008 to Nov.01, 2010 (for 984 days) Merc-Merc: Feb.18, 2024 to Jul.16, 2026 (for 879 days) Ketu-Merc: Feb.28, 2047 to Feb.17, 2048 (for 355 days) Venu-Merc: Feb.24, 2064 to Dec.25, 2066 (for 1035 days) Sun -Merc: Dec.12, 2071 to Oct.18, 2072 (for 311 days) Moon-Merc: Dec.23, 2079 to May.24, 2081 (for 518 days) Mars-Merc: Aug.22, 2087 to Aug.19, 2088 (for 363 days) The main period (Mahadasa) of Mercury would be between 18 February 2024 and 17 February 2041, for 17 yrs.

End note: I have examined your birth-chart from many perspectives before making pronouncements on how your 'Prarabdha Karma' will manifest in this lifetime and when the effects will be felt. It is not that I quickly saw Mercury's position in your birth chart and made a pronouncement. I have tried to gauge the 'beneficence' of Mercury from various angles before recommending the above gemstone to increase benefic influences in your chart. It is true that sometimes increasing a benefic influence may help to overshadow a negative one coming from another quarter, but a bad influence can never be lessened nor curtailed by using the gem for the planet producing it.

Keep me updated with the developments. May Mercury's grace shine on you. Regards, Shyam S. Kansal (Vedic Astrologer)