The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : When all that glitters is indeed gold

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 19, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

When all that glitters is indeed gold

Vidya K.S.

An essential part of the Indian social fabric, there are established patterns for gold acquisition at festivals

For a woman there is nothing more alluring than the sparkle of pure gold. The auspicious occasion of `Akshaya Tritiya' gives her the extra opportunity to indulge in some precious `jewellery shopping'.

`Akshaya Tritiya', the third day of the bright half of Vaishakha, is considered one of the four most sacred days of the year. According to the Puranas, this day marks the beginning of the Treta Yug. The birthday of Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu also falls on this day. It is believed that by doing a good deed on this auspicious day can earn `Punya' (merit) for life. `Akshaya Tritiya' is also considered propitious for beginning new ventures and purchases.

Indian culture

The word `Akshaya' means that which never diminishes - consequently beginnings made or valuables bought during this period are believed to shower people with good fortune and success.

Gold has tremendous significance in Indian culture. It is believed that gold was the very essence from which the universe was created.

In a dark and lifeless universe, the supreme Creator deposited a seed in the waters he had made with his own body. This seed then became a golden egg, bright and radiant as the sun. From this cosmic egg of gold was born the incarnation of the supreme creator - Brahma. From the root word `Hri' meaning imperishable, comes `Hiranya' the ancient name of gold. Brahma is often referred to as `Hiranyagarbha' - the one born of gold.

`Seed of Agni'

Evoking an image of molten gold refined to purity in a furnace and poured out in a fiery stream to become the basis of so much beauty, the Satapatha Brahmana refers to gold as the seed of Agni, the God of Fire.

Urvashi, the celestial dancer who had the Devas in a tizzy with her unsurpassed beauty was referred to as the one with golden hued skin. Mocked by Shiva's taunts on her dark skin, Goddess Parvathi was granted the boon of being reborn in a new avatar - Gauri, the golden skinned one.

Manu, the lawgiver, decreed that gold ornaments should be worn for specific ceremonies and occasions. It was the golden skinned deer that tempted Goddess Sita in the Ramayana.

Auspicious

An essential part of the Indian social fabric, there are established patterns for gold acquisition at festivals especially Diwali all over India, Durga Puja in the East and Onam and Pongal in the south. This auspicious festival of gold is incomplete without Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu and the goddess of wealth and prosperity. It was believed that elephants, which carried pure water in golden vessels, bathed her.

In fact the Rig Veda states that `the giver of gold receives a life of light and glory' and that `to receive gold is to welcome Goddess Lakshmi.'

This festive relationship is most evident in the jewellery acquisition and gifting that takes place during the festival.

Diversity

The Arthashastra, which goes back 1,700 years, stipulates rules for goldsmiths and specifies the alloys that can be made with gold. The great poet Kalidasa even specifies how and when each ornament should be worn.

Indeed, despite India's staggering diversity of custom, tradition and religion, the presence of gold remains a constant throughout Indian society.

This festive season, when Indians go out to buy special things, the vast majority will purchase gold not only because of its monetary value but because it is an intricate part of Indian life.

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