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Kaustubha
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Kaustubha: Origin

कौस्तुभ मणि

The Kaustubha is the brilliant gem that Vishnu wears on his chest. It rose from the ocean of milk during the Samudra Manthan, together with Lakshmi, and Vishnu took it as his ornament. The Vishnu Purana explains the gem as the atman, the pure soul of the world.

Borne byविVishnu

Where did it come from?

The texts tell different stories.

Bhagavata Purana, Book 8

Risen from the ocean of milk

The gem emerges during the churning of the ocean and is taken by Vishnu.

Vishnu Purana 1.22

The soul of the world

The Purana explains the Kaustubha as the atman, the pure soul.

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