Rudraksha

From a long time or can say more than a decade I am using Rudraksha, which inspired me to write about this important part of our life. After going through a lot of books among them SHIV PURAN is important one and after talks with a lot of Astrologers and other scholars of Hindu or Sanatan Dharma I got many a points about Rudraksha. Here is my work on Rudraksha.

What is Rudraksh?

A Rudraksh is the seed of the Eliocarpus ganitrus tree and plays an important role in a spiritual seeker’s life.

Rudraksha tree is similar to Guava tree, its leaf are 3 to 6 inches long and in round shape.  The color of Rudraksh fruit is blue and is ½ to 1 inches long. In taste one can find them sweet, Sour or Pungent. On this fruit there is a cover on it when it is removed Rudraksh came out. Rudraksh fruit take 8 to 10 months to ripe in the beginning it is of Green color.

In Shape Rudraksh are of Squire, Round or it can be Oval too.

In Hindi, Bangla, Sanskrit, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, Punjabi it is known as Rudraksh. In Tamil, Telgu and Kannada it is known as “Rudraksh Koti “, in English it is known as “Utrasum Bead “ and in Latin it is known as “Elaeocarpus Ganitrus Roxb”.

Where are they found?

This tree usually grows at a certain altitude in the mountains – mainly in the Himalayan region. Unfortunately in India most of these Rudraksh trees were used to make railway sleepers, so there are very few of them remaining.

They are also found in some parts of the Western Ghats in South India, but the best quality comes from a certain altitude in Himalayas because somehow the soil, atmosphere, Climate, Environment and everything influences it. These seeds have a very unique vibration.

Today, they are mostly found in Nepal (Bhojpur district) adjunct to Bihar border, where it is cultivated in abandon. It is also found in Burma, Thailand and Indonesia, Java, Sumatra, Tibet, China, Malaysia, Madagascar, Pacific Island. In Nepal it is found in the shape of Plum.

Why named Rudraksha?

Rudraksha is formed by the combination of two words “Rudra”& “Aksha” that refers to the tears that rolled down eyes of great Lord Shiva.  

Rudrakha thus are sacred beads with very high spiritual and medicinal values. The divine qualities of this sacred holy bead were first found in ancient scriptures of Sanatan dharma or can say Hindu dharma.

They are popular traditional healing beads extensively used to treat several diseases and also purify the wearer (Spiritually as well as Mentally).

Rudraksha helps one to make his Mind and Thought strong. It gives protection against evil forces and spirits; and bless with peace and prosperity. In India it’s a common thing around the neck of many a person.

In Upanishad, Puran and Veds: -

 The Holy Puran, Shiv Puran, Upanishads and Srimad Bhagvat consider Rudraksha as the most powerful and the divine gift to Human being that can defend the wearer against the most dangerous ills, thereby, make them spiritually and mentally strong, helping them attain complete prosperity.

In DeviBhagwat Purana’s 4^th adhayaya of 11 th skandha it is said that there are 38 Types of Rudraksha.

Kinds of Rudraksha: -

The divine Rudraksha beads are found in different types. Every Rudraksha has facets or much, which are found in different numbers. A simple line which runs from one end of Rudraksha to the other differentiates it from all the types.

The Rudraksha bead has a top portion from where the line originated this is called Brahma. The middle portion having the largest diameter that is known as Vishnu and the bottom portion where the lines end is known as Shiva. Hence it has almighty features of the Generator, Operator & Destructor.

On the basis of these Mukhis the Rudraksha are classified into 1 to 27 Mukhis. There are other Rudraksha like Gauri Shankar (two Rudraksha having naturally joined on the tree), Ganesha (a Rudraksha having trunk like protrusion on its body), a Gauri Shankar in which one bead has only one line or Mukhi), Trijuti (three Rudraksha beads joined naturally on the tree.

Sizes of Rudraksh:-

Rudraksha are available in different sizes. The size does not much matter as far as the power and efficacy of the bead is concerned. The bead needs to be ripened and healthy and devoid of insect bites.

Colors of Rudraksh: -

There are 4 colors of Rudraksh. They are –

1.      White (With White aura),

2.       Black (with black aura),

3.      Kapil (with Yellow aura),

4.      Rakta or Red ( with red aura).

Rudraksha: - Its use, effect; its Care and Precaution: -

Rudraksha beads are easy to wear. It can be worn by anybody irrespective of age, sex, caste and culture. Rudraksha is worn singly or in multiples in the various forms like Malas, Rings, Pendants, bracelets or arm bands. It is not only worn by Hindus or saints but worn by men and women of all faiths and religions.

It has been used for different purposes. Common men wear it for healthy, happy and empowered life. Some wear it as ornament because of its unique beauty whereas sages & saints wear it to attain spiritual powers.

You just need to put it on as a jewel and make it part of your body. There are no taboos or restrictions on wearing except they need to be maintained and stored with purity and hygiene. Alongside alternate healing therapies, Rudraksha stands out as the most effective option irrespective of any caste, sex and religion.

Following tips will help to maintain sanctity and longitivity of the Rudraksha beads:-

In short Does and Doesn’t about Rudraksha: -

Once you start wearing Rudraksha, wear it continuously throughout your life. Those who wear Rudraksha for few days and remove it for few days and wearing it again this method of wearing will not give maximum benefit.

 Rudraksha is best if worn in the black, yellow or white colored thread or it can be worn in silver, gold, copper and mixed metal. Wearing Rudraksha in metal wire or thread the effects are same.
Rudraksha should be worn after energizing. Most important thing while wearing Rudraksha for the first time , it should be worn on   Monday and before wearing at least chant the mantra " Om namaha shivaya " 9 times or 108 times whichever is feasible to the customers and think of the desire and problems to remove and wear it.
          Rudraksha should not be shared / exchanged / transferred /from one person to another person after it has been worn.
 Do not wear Rudraksha while going to funerals and brothels. This is the most important task to remember.
        Always wear Rudraksha around the neck so that the beads touch the Heart area. This is most important because it will help to pass the energy of Rudraksha via soul to entire human body.

There is no harm in wearing Rudraksha during intercourse between couples and it has been proven by positive experiences by many couples. Those who would want to have children, according to their wish either husband/wife can wear Rudraksha to enhance the function.

       Important: - Never show your Rudraksha once you have started wearing. Exposing or showing Rudraksha gives benefits to others as well who touched or view it. Because you are wearing Rudraksha for yourself so it’s best to keep it hidden.

Make Rudraksha a part of your body. Wear it daily like cloths and don't think and give too much attention to it, you will find more effects.

       Any type of dietary habits like Non veg., Veg., alcohol and smoking doesn't decreases or give harm while wearing Rudraksha. But after wearing Rudraksha if person have excessive habit, due to increment of intuitive power and will power.

       Rudraksha helps to maintain the habit to normal level so that health of the wearer remains perfect all the time.
Keep the beads as close to your skin as possible and not let others to touch. Rudraksha can also be kept in Puja room and prayed for benefit of whole family.

      If the thread is broken while wearing, you can change the new thread and wear Rudraksha, There is no harm if the thread is broken while wearing Rudraksha.

How to Maintain Rudraksha:- 

1. In every 15-20 days oil your Rudraksha beads either with mustard oil, sandalwood oil or olive oil.

2. If you are sleeping in one positing at night then you can wear Rudraksha beads but those people who are changing position in sleeping number of times it is best to take it out and either put in altar are or keep towards the head region or below the pillow. 

3.  Rudraksha should not be worn during shower/bath. That is to prevent the Rudraksha from becoming wet. Regularly keep on wetting Rudraksha beads will lessen the Longitivity of the beads.