Chapter 22 The Curse of Puloman Vishnu smiled faintly. "Kaustubha Mani!" he declared, his voice calm yet authoritative."The Lotus-hued ruby is the most magnificent Ratnam in all creation, a symbol of wisdom, holiness, prosperity, and boundless vastness." As Vishnu spoke, the Kaustubha mani radiated an ethereal brilliance from his chest. Its light shone like the meeting of the bright moon and the first rays of dawn as if offering silent prayers to the glory of the Lord. Hanging resplendently on Vishnu's chest, the gem seemed alive with divine energy. Hiranyaksha snorted angrily, his head turning aside in frustration. "What bad