THE GARUDA PURANA 15 страница

24. In his capacity as the lord of all castes a king can wear good diamonds of any colour as he pleases but not the others.

25. The improper use of colours in diamonds by the different castes is more baneful than the mixture of castes resulting from the improper pursuit of one another's avocation.

26. A scholar shall not wear a diamond merely because it is assigned to him in view of the path chosen by him. A diamond having good qualities yields weal and wealth; otherwise it becomes the source of sorrow.

27. A diamond with even one of its horns (angles)

broken or withered, scratched or shattered shall not be retained in the house by people wishing for prosperity even though it may have all other good qualities.

28. The diamond of which the apex is mutilated or withered by fire and the centre is vitiated by dirty spots and marks will induce the goddess of fortune to resort to others even if it happens to be the diamond of Indra.

29. The diamond that has impressions of scratches in any part or is painted with stripes of red will bring about the destruction of a person even if he has attained mastery over death.

1. Nymphaea alba.

30. The qualities of a diamond springing from the place of its origin are as follows. It must have six elevated tips, eight equal sides and twelve sharp edges.

31. A perfect diamond with these features is not easy of access. It has six fine tips, it is pure, the edges are clear and sharp. It has fine colour. It is light. Its sides are well smoothed. It has no defects. It sheds lustre all around like the thunderbolt 1 of Indra.

32. He who, pure in body, wears a faultless diamond, bright and sharp-edged, shall flourish in life, blessed with wife, children, wealth, foodgrains and herds of cattle.

33. All sorts of fears arising from serpents, fires, poison, tigers, thieves and imprecatory and maledictory actions, the sorcery of the enemies shall not harass him.

34. Persons who know the science of diamonds and gems say that a man shall wear a diamond free from all flaws weighing twenty Tantjulas ( rice grains). Its characteristic, features and price are twofold.

35-36. The price of a diamond weighing twelve Tantfulas is taken as the standard. When the weight is reduced by two Tandulas the price is reduced by one third. For further reduction in weight the reduction in price is gradually by 1/13, 1/30, 1/80, 1/100 and 1/1000 upto a weight of one Tantfula.

37. Diamonds are not weighed only by rice grains.

Eight white mustard seeds constitute one Tandula.

38. If a diamond possesses all other qualities and floats. in water, a man shall wear that alone although he may have all other precious gems in possession.

39. If a diamond is vitiated by a small defect visible or invisible to the eye, one shall get only one-tenth of its price.

40. If there are many defects small or great, not even one hundredth of its price need be offered.

41. A diamond, the defect of which is clearly seen is valued very low even if set in an ornament of gold.

1. As the legends record, it was fashioned out of the bones of the sage Xiadhiei.

42. A diamond may be flawless at the beginning; but while setting in an ornament it may acquire defects. A king shall not wear such an ornament. Defective diamonds are not to be used even in ornaments.

43. If a woman desires sons, she shall not wear even a flawless diamond. Otherwise she can wear elongated, flat and short ones, even devoid of good qualities.

44-45. Experts prepare imitation diamonds by using iron, Pu? par& ga (topaz), Gomedaka, Vaitfurya (Lapis lazuli), Sphafika (crystal) and different kinds of glasses. They must be tested well by means of alkaline solutions and emerywheel, etc.

46. A diamond can scratch all other gems and metals but it Cannot be scratched by other gems or metals. 47. Weight isa criterion in the appraisal of other gems; but scholars say that in diamonds contrary is the case. 48. Vajra (diamond) and Kuruvinda (cyprus rotundus)

can scratch similar or dissimilar materials. But Vajra alone can scratch another Vajra, nothing else.

49-50. Diamonds and pearls set in ornaments do not shed lustre upwards. If laterally cut, some diamonds may emit lustre upwards but then they do not emit lustre sideways.

51. A diamond scintillating with flashes of rain^bow blesses the wearer with wealth, food grain, and good children although the tip may be mutilated, or the diamond may have faded colour or may contain dots and scratches.

52. A king wearing a diamond dazzling with lightning flashes will surely enjoy the whole earth asserting his sway over the vassal kings and over-powering his enemies by means of his exploits.

CHAPTER SIXTYNINE.

On the test of Gems — pearls.

SUta said:

1. Pearls are found in lordly elephants, clouds, wild hoars, shells, fishes cobras oysters and the bamboos. Pearls in oysters are more abundant.

2. Only these are valued as gems and only these and not the other ones can be bored through entirely — say the experts.

3. Pearls found in bamboos, elephants, whales, and wild boars are usually devoid of lustre though reputed to be auspicious.

4. Of the eight varieties of pearls as the experts say those obtained from shells and temples of elephants are the poorest in quality.

5. Pearls found in shells have the same colour as the central portion of shells. They have big angles and weigh about a pala. Pearls from the temple of elephants have a slight yellowish colour without lustre.

6. The well-known conch (of Visnu) rendered yellow by its clash with Sarnga (the bow of Visnu) and elephants of good breed are the sources of yellowish circular pearls devoid of lustre.

7. Small light pearls are found in the mouths of the Pathina fish that usually frequent the middle of the vast ocean.

They have the same colour as their back.

8. Pearls obtained from the curved teeth of wild boars having the same colour as their source are very rare and are prized like the Divine Boar (Visnu).

9. Pearls found in the joints of bamboos resembling the hail stone in colour are very rare since these bamboos grow only in those places which noble virtuous men frequent and not in wild forests or public places.

10. Pearls found from the hoods of cobras are perfectly round like fish and have brilliant colour and lustre like a sword frequently sharpened and polished.

11. Only meritorious persons will have access to the cobra-pearl. Then they can get other gems of great brilliance, wealth, kingdom and grow brilliant.

12-13. The man possessing cobra-pearl should invite persons well-versed in sacred rites and perform Rak? avidhana (Protection rites) during an auspicious hour and place it on the top of the mansion. Then the whole sky will be enveloped by rainbearing clouds hanging low. Sounds of thunder will be heard as resonant as the sound of drums. Flashes of lightning will illuminate the quarters.

14. He who has a cobra pearl in his treasury is never harassed by serpents, evil demons, foul diseases and defects of evil associations.

15. The Pearl with cloud as its origin rarely comes to the earth. Gods take it away from the sky. By the lustre it emits all round it illuminates the quarters. No one can gaze at its dazzling brilliance as no one can gaze at the disc of the sun.

16. This pearl outshines the brilliance of fire, moon, stars and planets. It is equally brilliant in the day as in the night enveloped by pitch darkness.

17. I am sure that the whole earth surrounded by four oceans overflowing with waters sparkling like gems is not an adequate price for this pearl even if the earth, the most beautiful of all worlds, is filled with gold.

18. Even if an indigent man were to obtain it as a result of his previous merits he will enjoy unrivalled lordship as long as the pearl remains in his possession.

19. It is capable of bestowing good fortune not only upon the meritorious king but also upon the subjects as well. It is capable of dispelling evil thousands of yojanas all round.

20. Scattered all round from heaven, the rows of teeth of the great demon Bala shining with its pure colour like the milky way, fell into the waters of the ocean of various colours.

21. The seed of the pure gem of great quality, having the lustre of full moon, found a place in the oyster where other seeds born of other sources also were present.

22. Where the seeds of beautiful pearl fell, the water from the clouds too fell and both together entered the oyster shell and were converted into pearls.

23. Pearls found at eight different places are called (1)

Saiihhalika (ofCeylon), (2) Paralaukika (Heavenly), (3) Saura${rika (of Gujarat), (4) Tamraparna, (5) Pirasa va (of Persian gulf), (6)Kaubera, (7) Paijclyaha$aka (of the Parujya country in South India), and (8) Hemaka.

24. In size, shape quality and lustre, the oyster pearls from Vardhana, Paraslka, Patala and other worlds and Siziihaia are not inferior to any other pearl.

25. In the matter of pearls (from oyster) the source need not be taken into consideration. An expert shall note the features and the size. Pearls of all sizes and shapes can be found everywhere.

26. An oyster pearl ground well on the emery wheel can be priced five thousand three hundred silver pieces.

27. A pearl weighing half a Masaka 1 less shall be priced two fifths less (5300 x2/5 2120 i. e. 3180 silver pieces). The pearl weighing three Masakas is priced 2000 silver pieces as the maximum.

28. If the pearl weighs two and a half Ma? akas, its price is one thousand three hundred silver pieces. A pear!

weighing two Masakas (if its quality is good) is priced 800 silver pieces.

29. A pearl weighing a Masaka and a half is priced three hundred and twenty five silver pieces. A pearl weighing six Guftjas 2 has the maximum price of two hundred silver pieces, thus say the experts. If it is ground well and has all merits, the price can be increased by a hundred and fifty silver pieces.

30. If there are not less than sixteen pearls in a Dharana (ten palas) it is called Darvika. Even a child will be paid a hundred and ten silver pieces for it.

31 If there are not less than twenty pearls in a Dharana (ten palas) experts call it Bhavaka. It can fetch seventy nine silver pieces if the pearls are not deficient in quality.

32. If a Dharana is complete with thirty pearls it is called Sikya. Its maximum price shall be forty.

33. Forty pearls together weighing a Dharana can be termed Siktha. Its price is thirty. Sixty pearls together weighing a dharana can be termed Nikara£ ir$a. Its price is fourteen.

34. Eighty or ninety pearls in a Dharana is called a Kupy&. Its price is eleven and nine.

35. Gather together the pearls in a rice bowl and cook them well in the juice of Lemon. Rub them well with finely chopped carrot. Now f the pearls can be bored quickly.

1. A measurement for weight. Twelve mdjakas make one told and 86 folds make one kilogram.

2. The fruits of Abrus prccatorius used for weighing in ancient India.

36-37. Make a Matsyapuja covering the pearls with clay. [A pufa is baking anything in a crucible]. Heat it well by means of the process Vitanapatti (covering the crucible, etc.

with a canopy). Then cook the pearls, in milk first, then in water and then in lime water. Finally cook them in condensed milk, then rub them with a clean cloth. Now the pearls will begin to shine brilliantly. Vyaji 1, the great sage of wonderful powers, has mentioned this process of cleaning pearls out of consideration for the world and experts in gems.

38. A white pearl shining like glass together with gold one hundredth of it by weight shall be put in mercury for some time before using it as an ornament. Experts in Simhala do like this.

39-40. If there is a doubt to the artificiality of a pearl, put it in hot oil with a pinch of common salt. Then take it out and soak it in water for a whole night. The next day cover it with a dry cloth and mbit with grains of paddy. If the colour does not fade the pearl is genuine not artificial.

41. A white pearl of proper size smooth and heavy, pure and clean, circular in shape and brilliant is of good quality.

42. If a pearl delights even a person who does not want to buy it, if it is of proper size, if it sheds white rays, if it is white and circular, if the hole is of uniform width throughout we can say that it is of good quality.

43. If such a fine pearl with commendable features as described above is in one’s possession he will be free from all evils and faults.

CHAPTER SEVENTY.

On the test of Gems — Ruby.

Suta said:

1. Taking the blood of the mighty demon Bala, which contained seeds of excellent gems, the sun traversedt he sky and shone blue like a sword.

1. He if alto reputed as a grammarian somewhat later than P& Qini.

2. He was thwarted suddenly half way by Ravana, King of Lanka, who appeared like another Rahu, and was proud of his exploits such as the conquest of deities in battles many times before.

3. Thereupon the sun dropped the blood in the excellent river whose banks were overgrown with Areca-palms and 'whose deep pools are constantly agitated by the beautiful thighs of the Simhala maidens.

4. Thenceforward the river became famous as Ravana Gariga 1 since it acquired the same merits as the divine Ganga.

5. Ever since, its banks are strewn over with precious gems during nights and they appear as though they are pierced by shafts of gold, blazing inside as well as outside.

6. On its banks and waters, rubies began to appear resembling those found in Saugandhika, Kuruvinda, and Sphatika territories. All of them had great merits.

7. Some of these rubies have the colours of the Bandhuka 2 3

flower, Gufija, Indragopa (glowworm), Java flower (China Rose) blood, pomegranate seeds and the Kirhsuka 8 flower. All of them have a shining lustre.

8. Some of the rubies have the colour o’f Vermillion, red lotus and Saffron; some have the colour of Laksa juice; although the red colour is uniform throughout; their centre has a special manifest brilliance; the rubies are selfluminous.

9. Some of these rubies of the Sphaf ika ( crystal) variety, endowed with all good qualities, reflect and refract the rays pf the sun illuminating all the surrounding objects.

10. Some of these rubies of the brilliance of the fresh blown red lotus have a mixture of blue colour like that of Kusumbha 4; others have the lustre of Aru§kara 5 and Kan$akari fl flower and still others have the colour of Hirigula (Asafoetida).

11. Some of the rubies have the colour of the eyes of the 1. Not identifiable.

2. Pentapetes phoenicea.

3. Butea monosperma.

4. Carthamus tinctorius.

Semecarpus omacardium.

6. - Solan urn xanthocarpum.

234 Garu (fa Pur& ntr birds Cakora 1, Cuckoo or Sarasa; 2 others have the lustre of the Kokanada (Red Lotus) in full bloom.

12. In their influence, firmness and weight Saugandhika rubies are similar to crystalline rubies; but they have the colour of the fine red lotus with a slight bluish tinge.

13. The Kuruvindaja variety of rubies are red no doubt but that redness is not akin to that of the crystalline variety They are dull hued and the lustre remains within. Their influence too is not on par with that of the crystals.

14-15. In the beds of Ravanaga iga some Kuruvindaka variety of rubies are produced which have the deep red hue of other varieties of rubies, but they have crystalline rays; in Andhra they are not usually found; if at all some of them have the ruby colour they fetch only a less price.

16. Similarly, in the Tumburu 3 territory too, some rubies, akin to the crystalline variety are found but are priced very low.

1 7. In brief, the good features of gems are profusion of colour, heaviness, smoothness, evenness, transparency, iridisccnce and greatness.

18. Gems are not good if they are sandy, cracked within and stained, if they are lustreless, rough and dull although they may have all the characteristic features of their family.

19. If any one wears a gem of many flaws out of ignorance, then grief, anxiety, sickness, death, loss of wealth and other evils torment him.

20. Inferior alien varieties of gems are usually substituted for the five genuine ones. The intelligent shall note this well.

21. The spurious ones alien to genuine rubies but akin to one another are (1) Kalasapurodbhava, (2) Simhala, (3) TumburudeSottha, (4) Muktapaniya and (5) Srlpurnaka.

1. The Greek, Partridge. SSED, p. 200.

2. The Indian crane.

3. Probably the Vindhya-region. GP., p. 158.

22-25. The first variety of Kalasa has the peculiarity of husky aspect. The second Simhala variety can be detected by its darkness. The third variety of Tumburudesottha has the tinge of copper colour. The Muktap& nlya type has the tinge of the sky and the Srlpurnaka variety is devoid of lustre and brilliance. These characteristics show that they are alien. If one is called upon to distinguish between a genuine and a spurious ruby one shall note whether it has the copper tinge or husky aspect; whether it appears to be smeared with oil; whether on being rubbed it loses its lustre; or whether on placing two fingers on the top it casts dark shade on either side; or whether on being tossed up and caught hold of retains all the qualities.

Of two gems put to test the one with more weight is genuine.

26. If the doubt is not removed, it shall be put on the emery-wheel or scratched with a similar gem and tested.

27. On ruby and sapphire no gem except diamond and Kuruvinda can make a scratch mark.

28. There are many spurious ones alien to the genuine ruby but of similar colour. Still here some are mentioned only to indicate their names and difference.

29. A gem belonging to an alien group devoid of virtue shall not be worn along with a genuine one endowed with all good points. Even with Kaustubha (the divine gem of Visnu) an alien variety should not be worn by a scholar.

30. Even one Candala 1 can attack and kill a number of brahmins. Similarly a spurious alien gem can nullify the potency of many gems endowed with good qualities.

31. No evil can even touch the wearer of a Padmaraga of great potency even if he is caught amidst his deadly enemies or even if he errs habitually.

32 He who is mentally and bodily pure and wears Padmaraga whose crimson colour is heightened by its good qualities is never sullied by any sort of evil.

33. The price of a Tantfula of well-cut, well-polished diamond is equal to that of a Masaka of purified Padmaraga of great potency.

34. A gem is prized for its colour and brilliancy. Hence any defect in these two qualities lowers the value.

1. A low-caste person, a person doing wicked deeds.

CHAPTER SEVENTYONE.

On the test of Gems — Emerald.

Suta said:

1. Taking away the bile of the chief of demons, Bala, Vasuki the king of Serpents was speeding across the sky as though he was cutting it into two.

2. He appeared like a bridge of silver across the sky illumined by the gem on his head.

3. Then Garutfa began to attack the Serpent-king by his wings as if eager to destroy heaven and earth.

4. Suddenly the Serpent dropped it on the ridge of the excellent Manikya mountain, which is rendered fragrant by the Nalika forest and where the Turuska 1 trees of good oozing juice grew abundantly.

5. The fallen bile immediately after the fall crossed the mountain Manikya and reached the shore of the ocean near Rama (Goddess LaksmI) because of its faith in her and became the source of Marakata (Emerald).

6. Garucja caught hold of some of the falling bile but became unconscious. He then let out the stuff through his nostrils.

7. Emeralds that got their line and lustre from the tender neck of parrots, Sirisa 2 flower, back of the glow-worm, grassy plain, moss, Kaihara 3 flower, grass-blade and the wings of Garutja are auspicious.

8. The place on the mountain where the bile let loose by the Serpent-chief fell is inaccessible though endowed with all virtues.

9. In the place of Marakata (i. e. near the sea where it finally came to) many things grow. Whatever is grown there is efficacious in subduing poison and sickness.

1. ‘Storax is the Turu$ka of Ayurveda, which is a balsam obtained from foreign trees of Ligendamber (L. Orientalis Miller and L. Styracijlua Linn.

A similar sort of inferior quality of balsam is found from an Indian species Attingia excdsa Naronha. ’. GVDB, p. 188.

2. Albizzia lebbeck GVDB f p. 399.

3. A variety of utpala.

10. What cannot be cured by any mantras and medicinal herbs — the poison from tbe fangs of great cobras — is quelled by that.

1 1. Whatever grows there free from defects is considered to be the holiest of holy things.

12-15. Experts in gems are inclined to say that thefollowing types of emeralds are of good potency: Emerald that has dark green colour, a soft glow, that is highly complicated, hewn in different ways and appears to be stufled with gold dust; emerald that is endowed with qualities of shape, even shade all over it, sufficient heaviness and shoots diffusion of light when sun’s rays fall on it; emerald the interior of which changes its natural shade and a dazling light becomes infused making it appear like a green meadow where lightning flashes spread and emerald that delights the mind at the very sight.

16-17. The emerald within which a sheet of transparent rays appears to spread on account of the profusion of colour;

the sheet of rays is of the hue of the tender feathers of a peacock, pure, smooth and thick set and seems to be a great diffusion of light — this emerald is not as virtuous as the preceding one.

18. The emerald of variegated hues, very firm and rough, stained and sand-grained and encrusted with Silajatu (Bitumen)

i» of inferior quality.

19. The remnant of any gem other than emerald left over after fixture shall never be worn nor bought by those who wish for welfare.

20. Two spurious emeialds Bhall& taki and Putrik& have the colour of emerald but they are really alien to it.

21. The Putrika substitute loses its brilliance when rubbed with a silken cloth. Glass substitute can be detected by its lightness alone.

22. The Bhallataka is a very close imitation of emerald in features, qualities and colour but its colour fades and changes when ir is blown over it.

23. Diamonds, pearls and other gems of the alien species do not shoot up rays upward when not set in an ornament.

24. Some of them do shoot upwards if kept straight but when held horizontally the rays disappear.

25-27. Emerald devoid of flaws and endowed with potency shall be worn after setting it in gold at the following specified occasions: — At the time of bath, Acamana, recital of prayers, when charms and mantras are invoked; by those who give gifts of cow and gold; by those who practise austerities;

when sacrificial rites are performed to gods, manes or special guests; when the preceptor is specially honoured; when the Trido? as (wind, bile and phlegm) are upset; when poisoned and when engaged in war.

28. An emerald endowed with virtues fetches more price than a ruby of equal weight.

29. Similarly, in case of defects, the depreciation in value of an emerald is more than that of ruby.

CHAPTER SEVENTY TWO.

On the test of Gems — Sapphire.

Sfita said:

1. Both the eyes of the demon Bala resplendent like the full blown lotus fell in a place where the Simhala maidens were busy culling the tender shoots and flowers of the creeper Laval! (Phyllanthus Longifoluis) with their tender fingers resembling tender shoots.

2. The marshy foreshore of the ocean hedged by the plant Ketaka 1 on which waves from either side lash shines brilliantly due to the abundance of Sapphires.

3. There the sapphire gems of bluish shades are found, just as: — the blue lotus, ploughshare section, honey bee.

1, Pandaaus tectorius.

Vi$nu’s body, Siva’s neck, Kasaya flower and the flowers of Girikarnika 1 (those which are not white).

4. Some have the colour of the waters of the clear blue sea; others resemble a flock of peacocks; some have the refulgence of bubbles coming from blue juice of indigo plant; and some have the colour of the neck of intoxicated cuckoo.

5. There many sapphire gems of great potency can be found; they are of uniform size, clear lustre and fine colour.

6. Defective sapphires are those encrusted with clay, Tockbits and gravels, those with holes, those having the flaw of Trasa (tremulousness), and those impregnated with traces of mica. Some are defective in their colour.

7. Poets well versed in the sacred technical literature praise the genuine gems found there (Sinihala).

8. Virtues resulting from wearing sapphire are the same as in the case of rubies.

9. Three types of Rubies have been enumerated before based on their sources. The same applies to sapphires also without any difference.

10. The modes of testing the genuineness of sapphire are the same as those in the case of Rubies.

11. The sapphire stands the test of fire of a longer duration than the ruby. It can withstand a greater quantity of beat.

12. Still, under no circumstances, should any gem be subjected to the test of fire seeking more brilliancy.

13. While the test is being carried out some new defects -due to the process of burning may enter the gems. This brings ill-luck to the owner, the man who conducts the test and the man who induced him to conduct it.

14. Spurious sapphires are akin to the genuine ones in colour but actually alien are glass, marble, Karavlra and crystals.

15. Heaviness and firmness increase in glass, etc. in order. This should be noted.

16. If a sapphire has a tinge of copper colour in it, it shall be preserved. So also Karavira and Upala marble if they have the copper tinge.

1. JProbably symphorema polyandrum, GVDB> p. 138.

17. That sapphire which has a brilliant flash like the thunderbolt in its centre is of great potency and very rare. It is the real Indranfla, 18. The sapphire that turns milk hundred times its weight entirely blue is called Mahanlla. This is because of the profusion of the colour.

19. The price of a Masa of ruby is the same as that of four MasAs of sapphire of great virtue.

CHAPTER SEVENTYTHREE.

On the test of Gems — Lapis Lazuli.

SQta said:

1. The test of Vaidurya ( Lapis Lazuli) and Pu$paraga (Topaz), Karketana and Bhlsmaka was first expounded by Brahma and then repeated by Vyasa.

2. From the loud shout of the demon Bala resonant like the shout of the ocean agitated at the end of a Kalpa 1 (the final dissolution after many a deluge 2 ) Vaidurya (Lapis Lazuli) was produced. It is of many colours and the brilliance of the different colours is pleasing and delightful.

3. Not far from the lofty mountain of Vidura and very near the frontiers of Kamabhutika can be found the mine of the lapis lazuli gems.

4. Raised aloft by the loud shout of the demon, the mine of great virtues has virtually become an ornament for the three worlds.

5. Emitting the fine colours of the clouds of rainy season,, lapis lazuli gems shot off flames as it were in tune with the shrill cry of the demon.

1. SP ( AITM)> p. 2163.

2. According to the Pur& ^as, the universe is destroyed at the end of a Kalpa, and a new creation starts. References' lo such a Deluge we find in the story of Manu and Fish in the & atapatha Br& hraana. The Bible also refers to the story of the Deluge and the Noah’s Ark.

6. Lapis lazuli has the colours of all gems available on the earth, beginning from Ruby.

7. The chief of them is the blue one resembling the neck of a peacock or that which has the colour of the leaf of bamboo. Lapis lazuli gems that have the colour of the outer feathers of the C& $a (Blue jay) bird are not approved of by the experts in the technical literature of gems.

8 A lapis lazuli gem of commendable virtues brings good luck to its owner; if it has defects it brings ill-luck. Hence, it must be tested well (before buying and wearing).

9. There are spurious gems resembling lapis lazuli, such as Girikaca, Si su pa la, and glass crystals affected by smoky colour.

10. A glass piece can be detected by its inability to scratch; a Sisupala by its light weight; a Girikaca by its lack of brilliance and a crystal by its great brilliance.

11. The price of two palas of lapis lazuli is equal to that of Sapphire of two gold pieces in weight and of very commendable virtues.

12. Although there are many spurious imitations of a gem of excellent quality, here some names can be indicated from which the varieties can be inferred.

13. An intelligent man can easily see the difference. A universal characteristic of alienness is glossy surface, lightness and softness of touch.

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