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Balaasur

Garud Puraan gives a story of the origin of Ratn (gems or jewels). There was a Daitya named Balaasur. He had got a Var (boon) to be invincible from Brahmaa Jee after a severe penance. So he attacked Indra's city and captured it. Devtaa did a Yagya to take their city back from him. When the time came for oblation, they went to him assuming the form of a priest and asked for his body.

The Asur was religious, so he decided to give his body for oblation. Devtaa got very happy to hear his decision so they took him in the Vimaan (aerial car) very swiftly, so much so that they dropped him. As his body dropped from the Vimaan, it hit the ground and broke into pieces. these body parts, owing to the commitment to the Devtaa, when scattered on Prithvi, turned into various jewels - (1) Vajra, (diamond or Heerak); (2) Muktaa (pearl); (3) Mani (ruby); (4) Marakat (emerald); (5) Pushpraag (Topaz); (6) Indraneel (blue sapphire or Neelam); (7) Sphatic (crystal or Moonstone), (8) Praval (coral or Moongaa).

About the origin of Vaidoorya Mani (beryl or Cat's Eye), the Puraan says, that when Balaasur fell, he roared and his roar fragmented a part of the hill called Vidur, that is why it is called Vaidoorya Mani.

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