Rudraksha 101 - Holy Beads from Ancient Time
I would like to write a basic information about Rudraksha in this page. Here is the index of this article.
- What the Rudraksha is
- What the Mukhi of Rudraksha is
- What the benefits of Rudraksha are
- Care for Rudraksha
- From the original scripture
- References
1. What the Rudraksha is:
Rudraksha is a seed of evergreen tree, Elaeocarpus Ganitrus and has been in use from ancient times among Hindu or Buddhism for religious rituals or worships as sacred items. The fruits of rudrakshas are green color and turns to beautiful deep blue and then dark brown with aging. The tree is sometimes known as “Blue Marble Tree” for the color of its fruits. Now a days, yoga teachers and dedicated yoga practitioners and people who practice meditation would wear rudraksha mala necklaces or rudraksha bracelets once they've learned of the benefits or spiritual meaning of rudraksha for cleansing negative energy, using as a counting tool for reciting mantra at japa meditation, and to receive blessings naturally. Besides the religious situations or yoga practices, many ordinary people are fascinated with rudraksha for its mystical properties such as good omen, power for health, peace, prosperity, and spirituality.
In Hindu scripture, rudraksha is associated with one of the greatest Hindu Gods, Lord Shiva. In Sanskrit language, "rudra" means Lord Shiva and "aksh" means eyes. Legend says that rudraksha trees are originally from tears of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is the most worshipped God in India, and he is always seen wearing rudraksha in his portraits and statues.
70% of rudraksha beads in market are grown in Java, Indonesia. 25% are from Nepal, and 5% from India. Nepalese beads are larger in size and Indonesian beads are smaller.
2. What the Mukhi of rudraksha is:
Rudraksha has line/lines(channel) on its surface from the top end to the bottom end. Divided faces are called mukhi in Sanskrit. Rudraksha has the same number of compartments as lines, and it has at least one compartment(face). Each compartment has a seed inside. For example, 5 mukhi rudraksha has 5 seeds, 6 mukhi rudraksha has 6 seeds. The lines of Nepalese rudraksha are deeper and clearer than the Indonesian seeds. There are also some special shaped rudrakshas such as Gaurishankar which has 2 beads naturally attached together on the tree, Ganesha which has nose shaped part on its surface, and so on.
The beads from Nepal, over 70% of total production of rudrakshas are 5 mukhis. Another 18% are 6 mukhis and 4 mukhis. And the other mukhis, 1 to 3 and 7 to 15 cover another 10% or so. Higher than 15 mukhis and special shaped variations are very small percentage to find. The beads from Indonesia are easier to find than Nepalese because of their production. Both Nepalese rudraksha and Indonesian rudraksha are worth to use.
Each mukhi is associated with different ruling deity and ruling planet based on Indian Vedic astrology. Therefore, metaphysical properties of each mukhi are different. In the next section, you will find a brief introduction of benefits of 1 to 14 mukhis. There are up to 21 or even higher mukhis but higher than 14 mukhis are very rare and highly expensive. Even though, no matter what mukhis are, all the rudraksha has blessings, making the wearer fearless, clearing negativities/diseases, and bringing positive changes just by wearing them.
3. What the benefits of Rudraksha are:
Legend shows there are many mystical benefits and metaphysical properties for health of physical body and mental & emotional conditions, spirituality, relationships, attracting wealth and success in life situations, and more. Wearers receive blessings and are protected by Lord Shiva and his family Gods & Goddesses and other powerful Hindu deities. Addition to its power, the beads are so beautiful to wear that rudrakshas are worn in the form of malas (religious necklace, ex.rosary), bracelets, earrings, headbands, etc. What I mentioned here are just small information for the ideas of ONE to FOURTEEN mukhis. Each mukhi holds different vibration of possibilities. However, FIVE mukhi is the basic and most common selection to wear for everybody.
Muki/Deity/Planet*/Benefits, Features, treatment for disorders
1 muki / Shiva / Sun Concentration, self-esteem, spiritual growth. Thrombosis, digestive/respiratory/urinary system, brain, heart, skin, glands. Good for all adults, leaders.
2 muki / Ardha Nareeshwar** / Moon Peaceful relationships, harmony in family, singles find their soul mate, clear sins. Heart & lung, liver, left eye, bladder, infections, breast, memory loss.
3 muki / Agni (fire God) / Mars Symbolizes trinity Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva. Removes sins done in past life, depression, anxiety, mental confusion, fear, laziness, blood related, cholera, ulcer, eye, sexal & adrenal glands for good health.
4 muki / Brahma / Mercury Intelligence, wisdom, speech, creativity, concentration & success in studies & researches. Ears, throat, nose, thyroid, hands, arms, lungs, sexual problems, mental ailments, memory loss. Good for students, teachers.
5 muki / Kalagni Rudra*** / Jupiter Most important of all, gives fame, mental peace & harmony, prevent all diseases, self- confidence, deepen meditation, spiritual growth. Blood pressure, diabetes, ears, thighs, kidney, breast, cardiac, acidity, insomnia. Safe for everybody.
6 muki / Kartikeya and Ganesha / Venus Wealth, good health, happiness, pleasure and comfort in life, pass exams. Throat, neck, kidney, sex organ, thyroid, dropsy, urinary, eyes, indigestion, arthritis, veins, nerves. Good for students, teachers, artist, writers, actors, scientists also young age.
7 muki / Mahalakshmi**** / Saturn Business, investment, fame, prosperity, wealth, progress in life, remove bad luck. Stomach, paralysis, epilepsy, dumbness, women's health problems, arthritis, muscle pain. Good for body pain.
8 muki / Ganesha**** / Rahu Removes obstacles, brings luck, progress, intelligence, health, understanding & writing skills, prosperity, fame. Nervous system, gall bladder, prostrate, lungs respiratory troubles.
9 muki / Durga / Ketu Sins gets condoned, fearless, stress-free, powerful and self-confident, protected from untimely death. Brain, lungs, breast, sexual organs, eyes, epilepsy. Good for housewives and working women.
10 muki / Vishnu /- Eliminates sufferings caused by the influence of all the 9 planets, protect from black magic, evil eye, avert untimely death, mental peace, overcome difficulties, solve court cases, disputes, fear someone standing behind. Insomnia, hear diseases, hypertension.
11 muki / Vishnu /- Good luck and fortune, leadership, victory, happiness, protection, longevity. Wearing 11 mukhi, receive benefit as same as performing thousands of sacrificing horses and donating hundred thousand cows. Stomach, liver, breast, heart, ailments, diabetes.
12 muki / Surya(Sun God) / Sun Free from fear of fire and diseases, physical and mental pain, acquire wealth, happiness. Heart, skin, eyes, nose, blood pressure. Good for politicians, businessmen, administrators, leaders.
13 muki / Indra / - To fulfill all the desires, gets everything to enjoy life, good luck, accomplishments , attain heaven after this life, spiritual attainment & material success. Throat, neck, kidney, sex organs, thyroid, dropsy, urinary, eyes, indigestion, arthritis, veins, nerves. Good for artists, actors, leaders, politicians executives, marketing profession, HR.
14 muki / Hanuman, Shreekanth, Swaroop / - Helps in opening the third eye chakra, improving visualizations and intuition power. Stomach, paralysis, epilepsy, dumbness, women's health problems, arthritis. Good for HR managers, import-export business people.
*000removing the malefic effects of the planet
**00 Lord Shiva and Parvati as shakti
***0 the five face form of Lord Shiva
****0blessed by several powerful God & Goddesses
Old Hindu scripture says that wearing rudraksha removes any kinds of sins and obstacles in life. Wearers are blessed by deities, and rudraksha brings happiness and prosperity.
4. Care for Rudraksha:
Because I put my rudraksha on the alter when they first come in and I purify my jewelries with Reiki before shipping out, you can just wear our rudraksha jewelries. However, there are mantras associated with each mukhi rudraksha. The mantra for 5 mukhi is “Om Namah Shivaya”. Before first wearing your rudraksha, you can activate with chanting this mantra for 108 times. And this mantra is almighty for any mukhis so you can chant at any time to bring good vibrations around you. Also, Monday is the day of Lord Shiva. That’s why Monday is the best day for activating your rudraksha to first wear.
While using, if you feel that your rudraksha needs to be cleaned, you can wash with water with a brush (ex. Teeth brush). If you use mild soap, rinse thoroughly and dry. Once it gets dried, apply small amounts of oil. You can drop oil on cloth or brush and apply rudraksha beads. It will help for longevity of the beads. Some oils we recommend to use are sandalwood oil, olive oil, mustard oil or non-roasted sesame oil. If the rudruksha is not too dirty, you can just gently brush off the dust. Chanting mantras and burning incense are always good for purifying and cleansing your rudraksha jewelries.
5. From the Original Scripture:
- Statue of Lord Shiva with Rudraksha -
The following texts mentioning the information of rudraksha are from one of very important Hindu scriptures “Shrimad Devi Bhagwatam”. The original contents are substantial and contains very large amounts of information, more about rudrakshas.
The below contains small parts of the scriptures including the origin and some benefits and fame of rudraksha.
“Shrimad Devi Bhagwatam” Book XI Chapter IV
1-11. Nârada said :-- O Sinless one! The greatness of the Rudrâksa seed that you have described is verily such. Now I ask why is this Rudrâksam so much entitled to worship by the people. Please speak clearly on this point. Nârâyana spoke :-- O Child! This is the very question that was asked once by Kârtika, the sixfaced One, to Bhagavân Rudra, dwelling in Kailâs'a. What He replied, I say now. Listen. Rudra Deva spoke :-- O Child Sadânana. I will dwell briefly on the secret cause of the greatness of the Rudrâksa seed. Hear. In days of yore, there was a Daitya called Tripurâ who could not be conquered by any body. Brahmâ, Visnu and the other Devas were defeated by him. They then came to Me and requested Me to kill the Asura. At their request, I called in my mind the Divine Great weapon, named Aghora, beautiful and terrible and containing the strength of all the Devas, to kill him. It was inconceivable and it was blazing with fire.
For full divine one thousand years I remained awake with eyelids wide open in thinking of the Aghora weapon, the destroyer of all obstacles, whereby the killing of Tripurâsura might be effected and the troubles of the Devas be removed. Not for a moment my eyelids dropped. There by my eyes were affected and drops of water came out of my eyes. Note here. How enemies are to be killed. It requires great thought, great concentration, great yoga and great powers. O Mahâsena! From those drops of water coming out of my eyes, the great tree of Rudrâksam did spring for the welfare of all.
“Shrimad Devi Bhagwatam” Book XI Chapter III
He who feels shame in holding and putting on the Rudrâksa beads, can never be freed from this Samsâra even after the Koti births. He who blames another person holding Rudrâksa beads has defects in his birth (is a bastard). There is no doubt in this. It is by holding on Rudrâksa that Brahmâ has remained steady in His Brahmâhood untainted and the Munis have been true to their resolves. So there is no act better and higher than holding the Rudrâksa beads. He who gives clothing and food to a person holding Rudrâksa beads with devotion is freed of all sins and goes to the S’iva Loka. He who feasts gladly any holder of such beads at the time of S’râdh, goes undoubtedly to the Pitri Loka. He who washes the feet of a holder of Rudrâksa and drinks that water, is freed of all sins and resides with honour in the S’iva Loka. If a Brâhmana holds with devotion the Rudrâksa beads with a necklace and gold, he attains the Rudrahood. O Intelligent One! Wherever whoever holds with or without faith and devotion the Rudrâksa beads with or without any mantra, is freed of all sins and is entitled to the Tattvajñâna. I am unable to describe fully the greatness of the Rudrâksa beads. In fact, all should by all means hold the Rudrâksa beads on their bodies.
“Shrimad Devi Bhagwatam” Book XI Chapter V
15-29. It is advisable to use the true Rudrâksam with gold and jewel, on the head, neck or on one's hand. Never use the Rudrâksam worn by another. Use Rudrâksam always with devotion; never use it while you are impure. Even the grass that grows with the air in contact with the Rudrâksa tree, goes verily to a holy region for ever. Jâbâla Muni says in the S’ruti :-- lf a man wearing Rudrâksam commits a sin, he gets deliverance from that sin. Even if animals hold Rudrâksam, they become S’iva; what of men! The devotees of S’rî Rudra should always use at least one Rudrâksa on the head. Those great devotees, who with Rudrâksam on take the name of the Highest Self S’ambhu, get themselves freed of all sorts of sins and pains. Those who are ornamented with Rudrâksam are the best devotees. It is highly incumbent on those who want their welfare to wear Rudrâksam. Those who hold Rudrâksam on their ears, crown hair, neck, hands, and breast, get Brahmâ, Visnu, and Mahes'vara under them as their Vibhûtis (manifestations, powers). The Devas and all those Risis that started the Gotra, the Âdipurusas (the first chief men in several families), held with reverence the Rudrâksams. All the other Munis, that descended from their families, the ardent followers of S’rauta Dharma, the pure souled, held the Rudrâksams. It may be, that many might not like at first to hold this Rudrâksam, the visible giver of liberation and so well written in the Vedas; but after many births, out of the Grace of Mahâdeva many become eager to take the Rudrâksams. The Munis that are the Jâbâla Sâkhîs are famous in expounding the inestimable greatness of Rudrâksams.
The effect of holding Rudrâksams is well known in the three worlds. Punyam (great merit) arises from the mere sight of Rudrâksams; ten million times that merit arises by its touch; and by wearing it, one hundred Koti times the fruit arises and if one makes Japam every day, then one lakh koti times the punyam arises. There is no manner of questionings in this.
30-36. He who holds in his hand, breast, neck, ears, head, the Rudrâksams, becomes an image of Rudra. There is no manner of doubt in this. By holding Rudrâksams, men become invulnerable of all the beings, become respected, like Mahâ Deva, by the Devas and Asuras and they roam on the earth like Rudra. Even if a man be addicted to evil deeds and commits all sorts of sins, he becomes respected by all, on holding Rudrâksams. By this men are freed of the sin of taking Uchhista and of all the other sins. Even if you suspend a Rudrâksam rosary on the neck of a dog and if that dog dies in that state, he gets liberation! Then what to speak of others! By holding Rudrâksams, men even if they be devoid of Japam and Dhyânam, become freed of all sins and attain the highest state. Even if one holds merely one Rudrâksa seed purified and surcharged with Mantra S’akti, he uplifts his twentyone generations, gets to Heaven and resides there with respect. I am speaking now further of the Greatness of Rudrâksam.
6. REFERENCES
THE POWER OF RUDRAKSHA [A Guide to the Holy Bead and its Healing Properties] Kamal Narayan Seetha (JAICO BOOKS)
THE TIMES OF INDIA Benefits of Rudrakshas Nov 29, 2017
ONLINE SPIRITUAL SHOP SITA Rama https://sitarama.jp/
The S'rimad Devi Bhagawatam Translated by Swami Vijnanananda
