Navaratnas

Common card · No. 393782

Navaratnāḥ (Sanskrit dvigu नवरत्न, nava-ratna, Sanskrit pronunciation: [nɐʋɐrɐt̪nɐ], transl. nine jewels) refers to a distinguished assembly of nine learned and virtuous individuals who adorned the royal sabhā (court) of certain illustrious bhūpati-s (kings) in Bhāratavarṣa. These navaratnāḥ were revered for their unparalleled proficiency in various śāstra-s (sciences), kalā-s (arts), and nīti (statecraft). Each ratna embodied excellence in a specific field—be it kāvya (poetry), saṅgīta (music), jyōtiṣa (astronomy), vaidyaśāstra (medicine), tarka (logic), or dharmaśāstra (law and ethics). Though primarily known from purāṇic and itihāsic traditions, the concept symbolizes the ideal of a king as a patron of jñāna (knowledge) and kalā (art). The most renowned navaratna councils are traditionally associated with Vikramaditya of Ujjain, Akbar of Mughal Empire, and Krishnachandra Roy of Nadīyā.

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