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As is well known, gems and particularly pearls, have from remote antiquity been regarded as of great value and have, therefore, been eagerly collected by kings and princes. Many pretty legends have arisen from this fact, especially among the rajahs of the East. An interesting example of this spontaneous and interesting literature of gems has been handed to me by Mr. Nissen, and is as follows:
THE ORIGIN OF THE SUPERSTITION THAT PEARLS BRING TEARS
The Princess of Travancore, who was stolen by a Rover of Kandy and lost in the storm called down upon his ships by a potent Brahman, is the heroine of the tale. Her body was recovered and with it came a great gift, as the legend thus relates.
Pearl Legend
Now, when the elements were at peace again, the King gave orders that certain fishermen of his people who were expert divers should explore the bottom of the sea where the ships of the Rover were destroyed. One of these discovered the body of the Princess and brought it to shore. And when they prepared it for burial the women found fastened upon one of the hands a shellfish, the two shells of which had closed upon a finger when it fell between them as they gaped. And when the shells were pried apart there rolled from between them a round bone, white and shining, and yet of a luster so soft and beautiful that no man had seen the like. And the Brahman, when he saw it, said: "Herein are the tears of Heaven which fell into the sea, congealed and have become a gem which is beyond price." And he named it "Pearl," and carried it to the King. Then the King, after he had heard the story of it, sent for the chief man of them that worked in gold and commanded him that he make for the pearl a setting most precious, and when it was done, he gave it to the Prince, his son, saying: "Above all things let this be first among the jewels of Travancore forever." And the Prince, when he looked upon it said, "The beauty of it is like the brightness of her eyes when they veiled themselves before my passion," and he prized it more than all the diamonds and rubies in his treasure house. |
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Precious Stones Guide Vol 3
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