Lore of Rings

An elaborate discussion on rings is in progress among the veterans ..

All I could think up of rings was that

Just two instances of the importance of Ring as a connectives in matrimony struck my mind

First.. In Ramayanam..Sundarakaandam.. A new lease of life is given to Sita when Hanumanji delivers the Signet Ring of Rama to Sita in captivity in Ravanas Lanka..

Second.. In Abhijnaana Shaakuntalam of Kalidasa..The only evidence for the marriage of Shakuntala with Dushyanta is a ring given by the King to her..This ring is lost by her and she has to lose her conjugal rights and bear the stigma of illicity pregnancy, and the matter is set right enabling the union of the King and the hermit girl only when the lost ring is regained..

It is said that some proud warriors and kings kept diamond rings mainly because they could swallow the diamond piece and die easily if they are defeated and captured or land up in similar circumstances..

There is said to be another tradition in India till a few centuries ago that nubile damsels wore rings which are surrendered to the man who possess them bodily for the first time..

And in the celebrated play Mudraaraakshasam of Vishaakhadatta,

Chanakya causes the signet ring of the Prime Minister of Nandas,, Rakshasa, and uses the marks on it to forge documents which ultimately forced Minister Rakshasa to capitulate before Chandragupta Maurya and accept the Prime Ministership under the new monarch..

The play is a classic .

And of course there is the story of Angulimal the ogre.

These are the lore of the rings I have heard of..