God's Jewels - The Transcendental Ornaments
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, being full in all six opulences, is naturally the possessor of all wealth. This opulence is manifested in His personal appearance, where He is described as being lavishly decorated with the finest jewels and pearls. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that these ornaments are not material products but are spiritual in nature. They serve to enhance the sweetness and beauty of the Lord, creating a transcendental feast for the eyes of the devotees.
The Kaustubha Jewel and Chest Decorations
The most famous of the Lord's ornaments is the Kaustubha jewel. This gem is situated on the Lord's chest, which is also marked by the Śrīvatsa, a curl of golden hair. In descriptions of Lord Viṣṇu and Kṛṣṇa, this jewel is a standard feature of identification. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that when painting or visualizing the Lord, one should carefully include these distinct features.
- Certainly Lord Visnu is very beautiful with His necklace of kaustubha jewels, His four hands holding conchshell, disc, club and lotus flower and His dazzlingly beautiful jewelry.
- His eyes and face were very cheerful, and from His neck to His feet hung a long garland of flowers. His chest was decorated with the Kaustubha jewel and the mark of Srivatsa.
- Regarding the cover for "The Lord in the Heart," yes, Lord Visnu should be distinguished by Srivatsa on His chest. The Kaustava jewel should be painted to look just like a very precious jewel. Lord Visnu should be surrounded by effulgence from His person.
Ornaments from Head to Toe
The Lord's decoration is not limited to His chest. Scriptures describe a complete array of ornaments: a glittering helmet inlaid with jewels, pearl necklaces, armlets, bangles, rings, and ankle bells. Every part of His body is decorated. In the forest of Vṛndāvana, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma are described as wearing fresh garlands and necklaces of jewels after Their cow-herding pastimes. Even the nails of Lord Mahā-Viṣṇu are dazzling, complementing the jeweled helmet He wears.
- Akrura could understand that both Krsna and Balarama had returned from tending cows in the forest; They had taken Their baths and were dressed with fresh clothing and garlanded with flowers and with necklaces made of valuable jewels.
- All the Visnu forms were of bluish color and dressed in yellow garments; all of Them had four hands decorated with club, disc, lotus flower and conchshell. On Their heads were glittering golden helmets inlaid with jewels.
- The other parts of Maha-Visnu's legs, the joints and lower extremities, were all very beautiful, the nails of His feet were dazzling, and His toes were as beautiful as the petals of the lotus flower. His helmet was decorated with very valuable jewels.
The Spiritual Nature of God's Jewels
It is a mistake to equate the Lord's jewels with material gemstones. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that because the Lord's body is spiritual, His ornaments are also spiritual. There is no material calculation of their value. Furthermore, there is a transcendental competition between the Lord's body and His ornaments. While jewels are meant to enhance beauty, the Lord's bodily effulgence is so intense that it actually illuminates the jewels. Compared to the Lord's own luster, the crest jewels appear as insignificant as stars.
- The Lord's bangles, necklace, crown and anklets are all bedecked with invaluable jewels. Since the jewels and pearls are spiritual, there is no material calculation of their value.
- The luster of the hosts of jewels fixed on the chest of the Lord can defeat even the luster of the sun, and still, when compared with the bodily luster of the Lord, that crest of jewels appears to be only as bright as one of the stars in the sky.
- There is gold on the summit of the mountain, but the Lord's helmet, bedecked with jewels, mocked it.
Pastimes Involving Jewels
The jewels of the Lord also play a role in His pastimes. The holy place Maṇikarṇikā is named after a jeweled earring that fell from the Lord's ear. In another intimate pastime, Kṛṣṇa wears a jeweled necklace given to Him by Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, which evokes complex emotions in others who see it. These incidents show that the Lord's ornaments are not static decorations but dynamic elements in His eternal play.
- Manikarnika is famous because, according to the opinion of great personalities, a bejeweled earring fell there from the ear of Lord Visnu. According to some, it fell from the ear of Lord Siva. The word mani means - jewel, and karnika means - from the ear.
- When Kutila saw Krsna wearing a necklace, she could understand that the jeweled ornament had been given to Him by Radharani. She therefore became absorbed in anger and began to move her eyebrows, expressing her anger in ecstatic love.
- Krsna used to give cows in charity to the brahmanas, with opulent decorations and paraphernalia. Then, wishing for the welfare of all living entities, He would touch auspicious articles such as milk, honey, ghee (clarified butter), gold, jewels and fire.
Conclusion
The descriptions of God's jewels serve to remind us that the Supreme Lord is a person, full of variety and opulence. Śrīla Prabhupāda says He is not a formless void but the most beautiful personality, decorated with the best of everything. By hearing about and meditating on His jeweled helmet, His Kaustubha gem, and His ankle bells, the devotee's mind becomes cleansed of material attachment and fixed on the transcendental form of the Lord.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category God's Jewels. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.