Where BPHS Discusses Ratna (Gemstones)
Parāśara does not give long gemstone chapters like later texts (Ratna‑parīkṣā, Jātaka Pārijāta, Mani‑mālā). However, BPHS does mention gemstones in two contexts:
A. Gemstones as Upāya (remedial measures): This appears in Chapter 56 – “Daśā‑phala Adhyāya” and Chapter 84 – “Śānti‑adhyāya / Graha‑śānti” in most editions.
B. Gemstones as the natural substances ruled by planets: This appears in Chapter 3 – “Graha‑varṇādi‑nirūpaṇa”, where each planet’s associated dhātu / mūla / dravya is listed.
The Key BPHS Śloka on Gemstones (ratna‑prayoga)
The most explicit śloka is from the Śānti‑adhyāya, where Parāśara prescribes gemstones as planetary remedies:
📜 Sanskrit Śloka (BPHS – Śānti‑adhyāya)
रत्नधारणमपि प्रोक्तं ग्रहाणां प्रीतये द्विज ।
यथान्यायं यथाशास्त्रं धारणीयं विशुद्धये ॥
ratna‑dhāraṇam api proktaṁ grahāṇāṁ prītaye dvija |
yathā‑nyāyaṁ yathā‑śāstraṁ dhāraṇīyaṁ viśuddhaye ||
Parāśara says: “Wearing gemstones has also been prescribed for pleasing the planets. They must be worn according to proper rules and scriptural injunctions, for purification.”
This is the core BPHS authority for gemstone use.
Planet–Gemstone Associations in BPHS
BPHS does not list the modern “Navaratna” table. Instead, it gives the substances (dhātu / mūla / dravya) ruled by each planet. Later authors equated these with gemstones.
📜 BPHS Śloka – Graha‑Dhātu (Chapter 3)
सूर्यो हेमं चन्द्रमा रजतं भौमोऽग्निं बुधोऽपि तु ।
गुरुरौदुम्बरं प्रोक्तो भृगुर्वैडूर्यमेव च ॥
शनैश्चरः काष्ठमाहुस्तु राहुस्ताम्रं स कीर्तितः ।
केतुश्च स्फटिकं विद्धि धातूनां विनियोजनम् ॥
sūryo hemaṁ candramā rajataṁ bhaumo ’gniṁ budho ’pi tu |
gurur audumbaraṁ prokto bhṛgur vaiḍūryam eva ca ||
śanaiścaraḥ kāṣṭham āhus tu rāhus tāmraṁ sa kīrtitaḥ |
ketuś ca sphaṭikaṁ viddhi dhātūnāṁ viniyojanam ||
- Sun → Gold
- Moon → Silver
- Mars → Fire / Coral (interpreted later)
- Mercury → Herbs / Green substances
- Jupiter → Udumbara wood (later → Yellow sapphire)
- Venus → Vaiḍūrya (Lapis / Cat’s eye depending on tradition)
- Saturn → Iron / Wood
- Rahu → Copper
- Ketu → Crystal (Sphaṭika)
Later Ratna‑śāstra texts map these to the modern gemstone list.