Sankara Stones

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Lore & Background

According to the film's narrative, there are five Sankara stones in total, originally gifted by Hindu deities to assist humanity in its struggle against evil. These artifacts were kept in a small village in British India until they were stolen by the Thuggee cult operating out of Pankot Palace. The cult, led by Mola Ram, used three of the stones to fuel their dark practices, including child slavery and ritual human sacrifice in honor of the goddess Kali. Unlike other magical items, the stones possess a reactive quality tied to the user's intent. When Mola Ram attempts to use them during a struggle on a rope bridge, they ignite with supernatural heat. This reaction burns the hand of the evil priest, causing him to fall into a crocodile-infested river below. Conversely, Jones manages to catch one stone without suffering any ill effects as he climbs to safety, demonstrating that the artifacts respond differently based on the purity of the handler.

In Their Own Story

The narrative arc involving the stones begins in 1935 when Indiana Jones and his companions arrive at Mayapore village, where locals plead for help retrieving a sacred lingam stone stolen alongside their children. While the villagers ask for one stone, Jones discovers three Sankara stones held by the Thuggee cultists beneath Pankot Palace. After being captured and subjected to a trance-inducing potion by Mola Ram, Indy is saved by Short Round. The trio then engages in a fierce battle within the temple complex, defeating multiple cultists to collect the remaining stones. They free the brainwashed Maharaja Zalim Singh and the enslaved children before escaping an attempt by Mola Ram to drown them. The climax occurs on a rope bridge where Jones severs the structure with his sword, sending several enemies to their deaths. As they struggle on the broken span, Jones invokes the name of Shiva. This triggers the stones in his satchel to burn fiercely. Two stones fall into the river, but Mola Ram catches the third, which burns his hand and causes him to fall to his death. Indy catches one stone with no ill effects, returning it to Mayapore where villagers celebrate its return alongside their children.

Reader's Guide

The Sankara stones function as plot devices that drive the conflict between good and evil within the film's universe. Jones identifies them early on, hypothesizing they are among five such stones given by gods to fight darkness. The guide to interacting with these artifacts is strictly defined by their reaction to moral intent. They serve no purpose for personal gain but act as a test of character during moments of high tension. To secure victory, one must retrieve the stones from the cult's stronghold and return them to their origin or ensure they are not used by evil hands. A specific mechanic: when invoked with the name of Shiva during a struggle, the stones become superheated. This effect is lethal to those with malevolent intentions, as seen when Mola Ram's hand is seared upon contact. For the protagonist, however, they remain harmless if held with pure purpose. The successful retrieval requires navigating treacherous terrain, surviving ambushes by Thuggee cultists, and enduring a physical confrontation on a collapsing bridge. Once returned to the village, the stones complete their narrative function by symbolizing the restoration of peace.

Did You Know?

• Three of the five Sankara stones were stolen by the Thuggee cult, while Jones hypothesizes they are given by Hindu gods to fight evil.
• The stones burn with supernatural heat when invoked during a struggle, burning Mola Ram's hand but leaving Indiana Jones unharmed.
• Mola Ram falls into a crocodile-infested river after the third stone burns his hand during the rope bridge confrontation.
• Steven Spielberg suggested altering the MPAA rating system due to violent sequences involving the stones and child sacrifice in this film.
• The film was released on May 23, 1984, and grossed $333.1 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of that year.

The Sankara Stones' Mythological Function

In *Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom*, the Sankara stones are defined as five mystical artifacts given by Hindu gods to help humanity fight evil. Three were stolen from Mayapore village by the Thuggee cult, who used them for rituals honoring Kali. Indiana Jones hypothesizes their importance early in the film after arriving in British India. The source notes that these stones possess a volatile nature when invoked during conflict. Specifically, when Jones invokes the name of Shiva on a broken rope bridge, the stones burn through his satchel. This reaction proves fatal to Mola Ram, whose hand is burned upon grabbing one stone, leading to his death by crocodiles. Jones catches one stone without injury, illustrating that the artifacts respond based on the user's intent.

The Stones' Role in the Film's Production History

The inclusion of the Sankara stones was central to George Lucas's decision to make *Temple of Doom* a prequel set in 1935, avoiding Nazis as villains. After rejecting three plot devices, Lucas wrote a treatment featuring these mystical stones and the Thuggee cult. Writers Willard Huyck and Gloria Katz were hired to adapt this into a script after Lawrence Kasdan declined. Released on May 23, 1984, the film became the highest-grossing movie of that year with $333.1 million worldwide. The violent sequences involving the stones and child sacrifice contributed to controversy over the film's darker tone. These elements, alongside similar complaints about *Gremlins*, prompted Steven Spielberg to suggest a rating system change, leading the MPAA to create PG-13 within two months.

The Climactic Confrontation and Destruction

The final confrontation over the Sankara stones occurs on a rope bridge where Indiana Jones severs it with his sword. As Mola Ram and cultists attempt to climb up, Jones invokes Shiva, causing the stones in his satchel to burn fiercely. Two stones fall into the crocodile-infested river below. Mola Ram catches the third stone, but it burns his hand, causing him to lose his grip and fall to be devoured by crocodiles. Jones catches one stone with no ill effects and climbs to safety as British Indian Army soldiers arrive. This sequence resolves the conflict regarding the stolen artifacts, allowing Indy to return the remaining stone to Mayapore.

Cultural Impact and Legacy of the Artifacts

The Sankara stones are linked directly to the creation of the PG-13 rating due to the film's violent depiction of their use in human sacrifice. While initial reviews criticized the darker story elements and portrayal of India, critical opinion has improved since 1984, citing the film's intensity and imagination. The artifacts helped establish this installment as a prequel distinct from *Raiders of the Lost Ark*. The film won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and was nominated for Best Original Score. A third film, *Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade*, followed in 1989.