Chapter LXXIV - Tests of topas (puspa-raga)

Suta said:—Gems known as the Pushparagas (topaz) origined out of the perched skin of that dismembered body of Vala, which fell on the summits of the Himalays and were thus naturally endued with high qualities. A topaz possessed of pale yellow colour, usually passes under the denomination of the Padmaraga, while the one tinged with the blending of a reddish and yellow hue, is called the Kaurunda. A topaz which is transparent and possessed of a reddish colour, is designated as the Kashayaka, while the one, tinged with a cold shade of bluish white, is known by the denomination of Samanaka. A topaz coloured deep red or dark blue is known by the epithet of Padmaraga or Indra-Nila. The price of a topaz should be appraised at a rate as previously laid down by the gem experts in the case of a lapis lazuli. The virtue of a topaz consists in removing the sterility of a woman, and in crowning her with the glory of maternity.