Ruby: 10 definitions
Introduction:
Ruby means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Christianity, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
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In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)
Rubies (in Sanskrit: Padmarāga) were commonly manufactured in ancient India, using alchemical formulas, as explained according to the Vādakhaṇḍa section of the Rasaratnākara (lit. “jewel mine of mercury”): a 13th century alchemical work in Sanskrit written by Nityanātha.—Verses 1-40 of chapter 19 continues with a series of formulations for creating gems, such as Rubies (padmarāga). These formulations stand on their own and do not seem to be integrated into a larger alchemical programme of making mercurial elixirs.
Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Rubies (used for offering to a deity) are denoted in Sanskrit as Māṇikya, according to the Yogakhaṇḍa of the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, [while discussing the Hagiography of Siddha Bauddhadeva]: “[...] The girl came there at midnight on the eighth lunar night. She prostrated before him and served him. (She) offered the god a necklace, anklets, bracelets and many kinds of clothes adorned with rubies and gems (māṇikya). (She offered) many kinds of divine gems and many (other) things, including vermilion, sandalwood, camphor and musk. [...]”.
Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Ruby refers to one of the objects to be deposited at the building-plot presided over by Brahmā, as discussed in the thesis entitled “concept of ritual deposit of Khmer temples in northeastern Thailand from 10th-13th century A.D.” by Naiyana Munparn.—(Also see: Acharya, Architecture of Mānasāra, 111).—Note: Ruby is denoted in Sanskrit as padmarāga, and in the Thai language as ทับทิม (thapthim).
Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
India history and geography
Rubies commonly decorated the Vimānas (temple complex) of ancient India, as vividly depicted in the Kathās (narrative poems) such as Uddyotanasūri in his 8th-century Kuvalayamālā (a Prakrit Campū, similar to Kāvya poetry).—Page 92.24-31: A Devī-vimāna is described as being decorated with rubies, pearls-pendants and festoons, rows of bells attached to banners, rows of vaijayantī flags fixed on the top, lotus-medallions formed by the inset work of rubies, figures of the lotus-pond and thus giving appearance of Padma-vimāna. [...]
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Ruby grass, Ruby wood, Rubywood.
Full-text (+382): Padmaraga, Manikya, Kuruvinda, Lakshmipushpa, Saugandhika, Ratna, Lohitaka, Lohitanka, Taraniratna, Arunopala, Patalopala, Shonitopala, Shonaratna, Mahamulya, Vaijayanti, Yakuta, Ragayuj, Ratnaraj, Arkopala, Navaratna.
Relevant text
Search found 196 books and stories containing Ruby, Rubies; (plurals include: Rubies, Rubieses). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 3: Metals, Gems and other substances (by Bhudeb Mookerjee)
Part 1 - Characteristics of Ruby (manikya) < [Chapter XV - Gems (3): Manikya (ruby)]
Part 2 - Test of genuine Ruby < [Chapter XV - Gems (3): Manikya (ruby)]
Minerals and Metals in Sanskrit literature (by Sulekha Biswas)
4.2. Description of Corundum, Ruby and Sapphire < [Chapter 7 - A millennium of Ratnashastra (gemmology) literature in India]
Appendix A - Scientific information on the Minerals used
Appendix E - Technical words in the post-Christian era Indian literature
A Critical Appraisal of Manikya: A Ratna < [Volume 10, Issue 3: May-June 2023]
Study comparing ano spray and betadine for acute perineum wounds. < [Volume 4, Issue 6: November-December 2017]
EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF RAJATA BHASMA andamp; RAJATA YOGA < [Volume 4, issue 3: May- June 2017]
Brihat Samhita (by N. Chidambaram Iyer)
Chapter 82 - On Rubies (padmarāga-lakṣaṇa)
Chapter 83 - On Emeralds (marakata-lakṣaṇa)
End of Saṃhitā Proper (first half); Beginning of the second part
Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
Part 3 - Visukamma Deva created an Auspicious Royal Lake for the Prince < [Chapter 2 - The Performance of the Ploughing Ceremony]
Part 7 - The Great Homage paid by the Devas and Brahmās < [Chapter 7 - The Attainment of Buddhahood]
Part 2 - Buddha descends from Tāvatiṃsa to Sankassa < [Chapter 25 - The Buddha’s Seventh Vassa]
Cosmetics, Costumes and Ornaments in Ancient India (by Remadevi. O.)
1.2. Materials (c): Padmarāga (Ruby) < [Chapter 3 - Ornaments]
2.4. Various other Neck Ornaments < [Chapter 3 - Ornaments]
2.2. Ear Ornaments (a): Kuṇḍala < [Chapter 3 - Ornaments]
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