2. References to the pearl within sacred texts.
Sri Garuda Puranam, Chapter LXIX (69) -
"
Suta said... Pearls found... in the temples of elephants and wild boars or in the mouths of whales or in the entrails of conch-shells, are devoid of lustre, though possessed of other auspicious virtues.
Of the eight species of pearls described by the conoisseurs of gems, those obtained from conch shells and the temple of elephants should be deemed as standing in the bottom of the list as regards colour and brilliancy...
A pearl found in the temple of an elephant is marked by the absence of any definite colour and is lustreless like a pearl found in the stem of a bamboo.
"
3. Theological alignment of a given pearl group (i.e. presiding deity)
Presumably Lord Ganesh, son of Lord Shiva; however obvious this may be, this needs confirmation due to some of the other aspects of these pearls.
4. Cosmological Inherents (i.e. gem of Heaven, Underworld)
Definitely a terrestrial gem, very earthy, yet also conveying a more savage nature.
5. Religious or cultural significance of given pearl variety.
A pearl in honor of Lord Ganesh, the remover of obstacles, would tend to take first position as an article of puja (private Hindu ritual), as it is traditional to first acknowledge Ganesh before any other representations of God are considered.
Nonetheless, the Guruda Purana and Varahamihira text seem to speak differently on the topic of Elephant Pearls. This has created questions by a Hindu advisor as to the suitability of these oblong objects as pearls, let alone representational of Ganesh-like attributes.
6. Cross-references noted within Varahamihira.
Brhat Samhita, Chapter 51 -
"The elephants that are born in the winter solstice (uttara-yapa) during an eclipse of the Sun or the Moon are named Bhadra. It is said that pearls are produced in the heads and in the sockets of the tusks of elephants of Airavata's family at the Moon's conjunction with the asterism Pusya or Sravana synchronous with a Sunday or Monday, as well as of the Bhadra class of elephants.
These pearls are numerous, large, brilliant, and of various shapes. These are beyond any estimate and should not be perforated, being too brilliant. When they are worn by kings, they prove highly sanctifying and bestow children, victory, and sound health.
"
7. Ritual handling of the artifact.
Unknown.
8. Stipulations regarding ownership.
Unknown, barring the aforementioned Varahamihira on perforation.
9. Historical references.
None available at this time.
10. State of scientific analysis.
None we are aware of.
11. Geographical origin.
Presumably only in Elephant territory, however these locales are presently not enumerated in our research.
12. Scientific considerations for full overview.
A non-intrusive composition analysis would prove helpful, however it is our opinion that the oblong pearls are fossilized bezoars and that the round ones (which we have not yet personally examined) forming in a similar fashion to the boar pearls.
13. Archaeologist review.
Non responsive.
14. Hindu intelligence.
Aforementioned hestiancy about the oblong-shaped specimens and general earthy feel of the artifacts.
15. Gemological opinion.
Unknown.
16. Artist overview.
None.
17. Anecdotal reports.
None.
18. Personal observances.
To onlookers, an initial review of The Elephant Pearl samples seemed as if they had a sense of personality, and in particular an alarmed and potentially violent one. Any observer had trepidation about touching them, whether a visual response or intuitive one is not known. This seemed to abate over time, and whether these were reflections of perceived projections and mirrored by others is mere conjecture, however this set of Mani does warrant this extended mention of personal observance.
19. Social response of observers.
Generally adverse, even fearful to a degree. These are not items that resemble anything one would expect to see in everyday life.
20. Cross-cultural references.
None at present have been uncovered.
21. Miscellaneous subtleties.
Too subjective to present, however a remarkable degree of awareness of their presence is noted by observers.
22. Relative Scarcity of pearl.
According to Varahamihira these pearls are both plentiful and exceedingly valuable. Our field team has not found a particular plentitude of these artifacts.
23. Known Placements.
None.
24. Relative Valuation Criteria.
Considered 'beyond any estimate'.
25. Indicated ownership benefits.
Apparently points to more male-oriented benefits, and specifically along the lines of increasing an already present tendency for male dominance by an already prominent alpha male. They are oriented to produce victory and offspring and apparently postured primarily towards the ruling class.
26. Conjecture on what gives each pearl a Sacred property.
Our personal experience is that these pearls tend to instigate a sense of uneasiness, which could go directly to the point of enhancing a king's dominance out of sheer intimidation. However, we are not convinced this would be attributable to the personality of God's appearance in the archetype of Lord Ganesh. Nonetheless, we imagine that if a king needed an obstacle removed or victory in battle, he would very likely benefit by adornment of one of the Elephant pearls without much doubt.
27. Action plan for further research.
Physical composition analysis would be a first step in validating any of the anteceding hypotheses on their physical origins.
28. Biological and Zoological review.
These appear as possibly teeth or joints due to their density; this should be compared to other fossillized organic fragments. Appear to be very old fossils regarding composition.
29. Final determinants.
Oblong pearls are bezoar or bezoar fossils, described within the loose parameters given through Varahamihira.
30. Conclusions .
Will be offered by Far East suppliers, with sensitivity to varying regional import considerations.