Keaw Jakkapat Part 1 – Auspicious Gems

 

 

Do you know the significance and meaning of Keaw Jakkapat

? In the amulet world, the term Jakkapat is often mentioned. What does Jakkapat refer to and why does it command such an influence?
How do we use the “Get Rich” Katha of Luang Phor Parn with Keaw Jakkapat?

In part one, we explore the origins of these mystical powers.

 

 

Throughout the night, the Naga brandished heat, fumes and fire against the Buddha. The Buddha however, remained unperturbed, easily outclassing the Naga in both flame and fury. Even after the serpent stood defeated, the Buddha continued to radiate a spectral glow of brilliant blues, reds, crimsons, yellows, and even the luminous brilliance of quartz. He subdued the Naga with ease, trapping him within his alms bowl.

 

Historical Origins

Ornamental gems have been favoured by Mankind for centuries. In the early history of our species, only the monarchy, aristocrats, and the truly rich and powerful were able to display ownership of them, believing that they symbolised the favour of the gods and elevated them above the riffraff. The beauty, clarity, and most importantly, rarity of these gems, have always made people yearn for ownership.

Ancient burial sites often reveal a resplendence of jewellery and buried gems, often accompanying dead men and women of renown. The earliest examples of such adornments were presented in stone and wood, or carved from the teeth and bone of animals. Through the provenance of the ages however, mankind has instead been blessed with a plethora of more magnificent options.

Mankind has had a particular penchant for personal adornment, since time immemorial, and gems have always occupied a key position of influence.

 

 

Metaphysical Properties of Gems

Many people believe that certain gems are imbued with mystical properties that when worn, are also bestowed upon them.

Gems are often used in conjunction with, or as an alternative to amulets, granting similar levels of auspiciousness, vigour, healing and spiritual protection, or amplifying and enhancing the effects of certain amulets.

Many cultures across the world thus believe that gems were a gift from the gods themselves. Keaw Jakkapat is the Thai phrase for these mystical precious stones.

Keaw Jakkapat

In the Buddhist suttas, Jakkapat, derived from the Pali word Cakkavattin

, refers to a Universal Monarch who is ideally suited to rule the world. Buddhist texts (SA.iii.131) describe how Jakkapat are born during World Cycles when a Buddha does not appear. This Universal Monarch will bear 7 treasures, treasured as Gems, known as Rattana in Thai (Pali: Satta-ratana¬samannāgato). Among these 7, Keaw Jakkapat (Gem of the Monarch) is the most precious. Some scriptural texts described 7 gems (Refer to our article on Keaw Jed Pragan for more details), while others had an addition of 2 more. The 7 treasures/gems are: The Wheel, Elephant, Horse, Gem, Queen, Treasurer, Son. The additional 2 are General and Prime Minister. These 9 treasures are named Navaratna instead.

 

Keaw Jakkapat thus also refers to ManiRatana

, also known as a Veluriya-Gem in Pali, which adorns the Monarch’s baramee. The scriptures describe it as an 8-faceted gem of astounding clarity and cut, capable of exuding its own warm light for a league around, even in the darkness. It is believed to be a wish-fulfilling gem, granting all wishes according to faith and merit.

 

 

Gems described in Legends

Across various Buddhist belief systems, the heavens occupied by deities are said to be made of gems, gold and silver, and these precious articles are gifts from the gods. The accumulation of such treasure is often said to be a corporeal manifestation of the deeds of these beings themselves; a crystallization of all the virtues they enable. The magnitude of their wealth, is often determined by their Boon

, the manifest destiny imbued within them by the extent of their good deeds. Because of these legends, the devout are also led to believe that their inheritance for their good deeds are similarly paid in gems, gold and silver.

 

The Sanskrit textbook Mangala Navaratna

, or “Origin of Gems”, proffers that precious gems stem from a number of sources; Mount Sumeru, the Ocean, Himmaphan forest (Pali: Himavanta), from wicha, from the ground of the Earth, from the virtues of the deities, and as a result of the supernatural circumstances surrounding the appearance of a Jakkapat.

 

It is also said that all gems on Earth have their own custodians. They are guarded by the 4 Heavenly Kings (Catumaharaja

) and their retinue. The largest portion is watched over by Tao Wessuwan, the leader of the 4. His jurisdiction also includes watching over the gems of the Jakkapat. The Naga and Ghandarva are known to treasure gems as much as humans do.

 

Many gems and crystals have their own inherent metaphysical properties. For example;

1. Keaw Manee Rattana
   , (the Veluriya-Gem) is a crystal ball which appears from the sea when a Universal Monarch is born. It is self-illuminating.
2. Keaw Manee Nakarat
   is a crystal ball which naturally manifests whenever a Naga grows into adulthood, while living a life that is pure in body and heart.
3. Keaw Jindamanee
   is a crystal ball of Mekla
   , the God of the Ocean.

 

It is also believed that gems belonging to individuals who have accumulated enough merit (like Jotika millionaire, during the time of the Buddha) are imbued with their own special auspiciousness.
This list differs greatly from the classification used in Hindu mythology, consisting of Kaustubh Manee, Jindamanee, Syamantak Mani and Rudra Mani. We will explore the many versions and divergent mythologies in a separate article.

 

Keaw Jakkapat – The birth of Nopparat

Several gemstones may be identified as Keaw Jakkapat. The name Nopparat

is derived from a mixture of Pali and Sanskrit language. It loosely translates as 9 gems. This is analogous with the word Navaratna in Sanskrit, which refers to the same form of gem.

 

 

 

Nopparat – The Auspicious 9 Gems consists of;

1. Diamond.
2. Ruby.
3. Emerald.
4. Yellow Sapphire.
5. Blue Sapphire.
6. Pearl.
7. Garnet.
8. Zircon.
9. Chrysoberyl.

There are many folk legends surrounding Nopparat. One of these is the legend of Phalasoon

(the demon Bala in Hindu mythology).

 

The story is drawn from the Thai Nopparat textbook. Devada

, Dabood (Ascetics), Ghandarva and various other beings went to Indra and enquired about the origin of Nopparat. Indra directed them to the immortal Lersi OngKhot, who would be able to address their queries.

 

Lersi Ongkhot explained that in the past, all the Devada needed the Nopparat for various reasons. They pleaded with Palasoon, the king of demons, to create more Nopparat, so that the gems could be used to bless Earth with auspiciousness. Palasoon agreed to fuel the creation of the Nopparat, however he could only do that through self-immolation. He had to first undergo a process of ritual cleansing, fasting for 7 days before dying.

When he died, all the Devada made offerings based on his instructions. After 7 days of worship, different parts of his body became Nopparat. The various gems and their corresponding body parts are listed below.

 

 

Gems	Origin of the Gems from Palasoon’s Body
	Rattanapreeksa	Tamra Nopparat
Diamond	Bone	Heart
Pearl	Teeth	Teeth
Ruby	Blood	Unknown
Emerald	Gall	Blood
Blue Sapphire	Both Eyes	One Eye
Chrysoberyl	Roar of his voice	Head and Right Eye
Yellow Sapphire	Flesh	Flesh
Garnet	Nail	Left Eye
Zircon	Unknown	Liver

 

 

 

After Palasoon passed away, a Naga named PhaSukin Nagaraj

came to drink his blood. After drinking the blood however, he was set upon by a Garuda. In his death throes, the Naga spat out blood which solidified, becoming Keaw Nasawad (or stones derived from Naga blood) and Emerald. His saliva became Keaw Khrutthikan (Opal). The Garuda then clutched the Naga in its claws and brought the Naga back to his Kingdom, Wiman Chimphlee.

The Devada gathered up all these gems, dispersing them throughout the world.

 

Thai Culture – Royal Insignia

In Thailand’s culture, the Nopparat are also addressed in a more formal manner, which roughly translates to “The Ancient and Auspicious Order of the Nine Gems”. These are identified as 3 insignia, which may be conferred upon a recipient by the King.

The King will confer Maha Nopparat

upon his relatives and high-ranking officers. This consists of a brooch with the 9 requisite gems set into it. A prerequisite however, is that the recipient must be Buddhist.

 

Dara Nopparat

is set in the form of a 8 pointed star made of silver. A diamond is also often set in the middle. These are also often worn as brooches.

 

Wean Nopparat

, a ring are made of gold, and adorned with 9 gems. This has only been conferred once, to a cousin of the King.

 

The practice of conferring these 3 insignia upon recipients began with King Rama 4. During King Rama 5’s time, the ring form was conferred for the last time. The tradition of conferring Maha Nopparat and Dara Nopparat is still being carried out today.

 

Thai Culture – Places

“Nopparat” are also represented in other aspects of Thai culture, particularly in the names of places. King Rama 1 incorporated Nopparat into Bangkok’s full name; Krung Thep MahaNakhon Amorn Rattanakosin MahinTrayutthaya Maha Dilokpob Nopparat Ratchathani Burirom Udom Ratchaniwet Maha Sathan Amorn Pimarn Awatan Sathit Sakathatthiya Wisanu Kam Prasit

.

 

Translated, the full form of the name is “Great City of Angel, the Supreme Repository for Divine Jewels, the Great Land Unconquerable, the Grand and Prominent Realm, the Royal and Delightful Capital City full of Nine Noble Gems, the Highest Royal Dwelling and Grand Palace, the Divine Shelter and Living Place of the Reincarnated Spirit”.

As might be inferred from this, Nopparat occupy a very important pedestal on the echelons of Thai society and culture.
In part two, we will discuss how these gems are known to imbue specific forms of auspiciousness.