Story of origin of diamond is mentioned in the Uttara Khanda
of Padma Purana. Diamond mining is responsible for numerous wars and killings
and interestingly the story of origin of diamonds in Hinduism is based on ignorance
of a demon.
Legend has it that Bala, the son of Demon Mayasura, attained
supernatural powers through magic. He started encouraging all sort of
immortality. He used magical powers to win over women.
Humans and Devas sought the help of Indra, the king of
Devas. Several wars were fought between them and Indra was always defeated.
Once Indra and his army were completely routed and Indra was
made a prisoner by Bala.
An imprisoned Indra learned that Bala had a weakness to
flattery. Soon Indra started praising Bala. He praised the demon with songs and
crowned him with all glory.
Indra completely enamored Bala with his flattery. Soon Bala
asked Indra to ask whatever he wanted.
Indra asked for the physical body of Bala. Without thinking,
Bala kneeled before Indra who used the opportunity to behead demon Bala. He
then cut the body into pieces and threw it in different parts of Earth. Places
where the body parts of Bala fell became a diamond mine.
Diamonds are one of the main reasons for war in Africa . Genocide, poverty, colonization, autocracy,
oppression etc are the result of Diamonds. And its origin as per Hindu
tradition is from the body of a demon who practiced all kinds of evil. Symbolically
the story suggests that possession of diamonds only leads to fights, tension
and worries.