Rudrakshas

Rudrakshas
- Born of Tears, But Spilling Smiles

Rudra is the name of Lord Shiva. Aksha means “tear”.
It is said that the plant of Rudraksha is originated from the tear
drops of Lord Shiva. As per the Vedic scriptures Rudraksha can nullify
the effects of malefic planets to a great extent. No other necklace or
bead is so auspicious and powerful as a Rudraksha.

This article is based on personal experiences of many years and
references from shastras like Rudrakha Jabala Upanishad, Padma Purana,
Shiv Purana and Devi Purana. The benefits of this miraculous plant have
been flowing to the users/wearers from the time immemorial. In the
passage of time, many plants, animals, birds etc., have appeared in the
universe and disappeared for ever e.g., many years before dinosaurs and
snakes with multiple hoods lived on the earth and then disappeared
forever. But it is astonishing that the Rudraksha tree has been
continuing ever since it has grown in Himalayan regions of India, Nepal,
Indonesia, Java and Jakarta. The tree is as big as banyan tree. It
takes 15 to 18 years to take full shape.

Rudraksha is a fruit which is covered with pulp and a thin outer
skin. The fruit has one to twenty one mukha [face] and seeds inside. The
skin is green in colour like banana skin. But when plucked from the
tree and allowed to remain as it is, the colour of the skin becomes
black. For every mukha, tree is different. Like any other fruit tree,
20% production is inferior, 60% is average and 20% is the best. The best
quality of Rudraksha is available at a pretty high price.

The shastras speak of four colours of Rudraksha like white, red,
yellow and black. Unfortunately, this cannot be verified as the natural
colour which emerges after the removal of skin and the pulp is generally
light brown or the colour of dust. The traders apply preventive dyes,
chemicals or mustard oil to store safely from the attacks of white ants.

The common buyer is interested to know its genuineness and conducts
certain tests which in fact lead him nowhere.
The common tests are:
1. Water Test: The Rudraksha bead is
put in a glass containing water. If it floats, the buyer rejects, not
knowing the fact that lighter density is the cause of floating.

2. Copper Coins Test: The bead is held in between two copper
coins. The buyer watches the rotation. Some beads show a slight
movement, sometimes to the right and at other times to the left. The
buyer selects the bead which moves to the right. Here, once again he is
not aware of the chemistry of the bead. Each bead has some magnetic and
electric power, hence the movements take place.

3. Milk Test: When Milk is poured on it, the bead is expected to
stand on its base! Some people dip the bead in a glass of milk and try
to find the effect. If milk remains unchanged even after 48 hours the
bead is considered good.

All these tests are just hearsay and do not prove the genuineness of
the bead. Breaking is the only test which can show the natural seeds in
the womb of Rudraksha fruit. One may wonder how we can break and buy
too. Obviously it is not possible. The only answer is that you should
buy from a reliable source and not from the roadside sellers. Beware of
the artificial items being sold in the market. Some sellers sell fake
Rudraksha which are normally pressed in dies. The raw material used is
the pulp of the Rudraksha. They also engrave Om, Shiva Linga with Yoni,
Trishul etc. These signs are easily made on two mukhi [Almond shaped].

Now let us see the effect/merits of each mukha on the
wearer/worshipper of Rudraksha:
1. ONE MUKHI [FACE]:
Mantra:
Om Hreeng Namah!
Being the King of all mukhis, it represents Pure
Consciousness. The wearer gains both, Bhoga and Moksha. He lives a life
of Raja Janak. He enjoys all the comforts at his command and still
remains unattached. This is very ideal for Doctors as it helps to find
correct diagnosis and success in surgery.

2. TWO MUKHI [FACE]:
Mantra: Om Namah!
This represents
Ardhanareshwar and blesses the wearer with “UNITY”. It could be related
to Guru-Shisya, parents-children, husband-wife or friends. Maintaining
ONENESS is its peculiarity.

3. THREE MUKHI [FACE]:
Mantra: Om Kleeng Namah!
This
represents “Fire” God. The way fire consumes everything and remains
pure, the wearer too gets free from sins or wrongs of his life and
returns to purity when blessed. This is ideal for those who suffer from
inferior complexes, subjective fear, guilt and depression.

4. FOUR MUKHI [FACE]:
Mantra: Om Heerang Namah!
This
represents God Brahmaji. The wearer gains power of creativity when
blessed. This is very effective for students, scientists, researchers,
scholars, artists, writers and journalists. This increases memory power.

5. FIVE MUKHI [FACE]:
Mantra: Om Hreeng Namah!
This
represents Lord Shiva, the symbol of auspiciousness. The wearer of this
Rudraksha Face Mala gains health and peace. This monitors blood pressure
and cardiac ailments. The mala must be worn inside so as to touch the
body and not as an alankar outside the body. Five Mukhi Mala is also
used for Japa.

6. SIX MUKHI [FACE]:
Mantra: Om Hreeng Humg Namah!
Represents
God Kartik [Muruga] when invoked blesses with wisdom. Increases
intelligence and gives steady mind. Good for managers, businessmen,
executives, journalists and editors. Six Faces governs genital organs.

7. SEVEN MUKHI [FACE]:
Mantra: Om Humg Namah!
This
represents Goddess Mahalakshmi. When invoked showers, plenty of money.
It is said that this is not to be worn on the body, but to be kept in
cash box.
8. EIGHT MUKHI [FACE]:

Mantra: Om Humg Namah!
This represents Lord Ganesha. When worn
showers Riddhis and Siddhis. Removes all obstacles and bring success in
all undertakings.
9. NINE MUKHI [FACE]:
Mantra: Om Hreeng
Humg Namah! This represents Shakti. When invoked the mother Goddess
blesses with lot of energy and powers which are useful to live a life of
success.

10. TEN MUKHI [FACE]:
Mantra: Om Hreeng Namah!
This
represents Lord Vishnu. When invoked, the family will be nourished
endlessly generation after generation.
11. ELEVEN MUKHI [FACE]:
Mantra:
Om Hreeng Humg Namah!

This represents Lord Hanuman. When invoked, blesses with wisdom, right
judgement, powerful vocabulary, adventurous life and success. Above all,
it also protects you from accidental death. You become fearless. It
also helps in Meditation.

12. TWELVE MUKHI [FACE]:
Mantra: Om Krown Kshown Rown Namah!
This
represents Lord Sun. When pleased, the wearer becomes a ruler. Good for
ministers, politicians, administrators, businessmen and executives.

13. THIRTEEN MUKHI [FACE]:
Mantra: Om Hreeng Namah!
This
represents Lord Indra. When invoked, showers all possible comforts of
life one can ever desire.
14. FOURTEEN MUKHI [FACE]:
Mantra:
Om Namah!

It is a divine gem. When used properly, with grace of God, your third
eye of wisdom starts functioning. You can predict future events. Your
judgement will hardly fail.
15. FIFTEEN to TWNETY ONE MUKHI
[FACE]:

No Mantra.
Rishis of the yore advise us to keep these at Puja altar
and earn the grace of Lord Rudra who brings prosperity to entire family.
16.
GAURI SHANKAR:
Mantra: Om Gaurishankaraya Namah!
Blessings of
Purusha and Prakriti are bestowed upon the wearer. [Also bestows Good
Luck, Wealth, Intelligence and all comforts.]

17. GAURI PATH:
Mantra: Sarva Mangala Mangalye, Shive
Sarvartha Sadhike. Sharanye Triyambake Gouri, Narayani Namostute!
This
is the house of Mother Gouri. The unmarried girls invoke Devi and are
blessed to get husband of their choice.

In general the wearer and the worshipper of Rudraksha is blessed
with prosperity, peace and health. Yet there are certain precautions to
be taken such as:
a) Smokers, drunkards, non-vegetarians and those
who enjoy sex unlawfully must not wear. But someone who desires
seriously to come out of these unwanted habits and live a life of purity
can wear and may find themselves free after 41 days. This has happened
to many, It may happen to you also, if you will strongly.

b) Mala that we wear in neck, is made of 108 or 54 Beads. Japa mala
could be small as 27 or 18 Beads. Do not use neck mala as japa mala or
vice versa.
c) Do not wear mala when you go to bed. It is a myth that
by wearing in the night, you get good sleep or wonderful dreams. On the
contrary, you may get horrible dreams if mala gets tight on your neck.
The beads also break under pressure. It is best to keep mala under your
pillow.

d) Clean your mala/beads regularly after an interval of 15 days. Dip in
luke warm water. Add a little liquid soap. Keep for about half an hour.
Remove and just wipe with soft cloth. Do not rub strongly or use wire
brushes.

e) Before wearing, take mala or bead to a Shiva temple. Offer “Rudra
Abhishek” and then start wearing. Monday and thursday are considered
auspicious days.
f) Since Rudraksha is very divine and pure in its
nature, it should be held in gold. Exceptions are permitted. Silver or
strong RED/BLACK thread is fine.

g) Many astrologers have also worked on Rudraksha. They suggest “Mukhi”
based on Birth Rasi and Nakshatra. However one should wear according to
the needs/desires to be fulfilled.
h) Some astrologers suggest to
wear Rudraksha according to ruling planet as under:

Ruling Planet - Mukhi to Wear
Sun - One or Tweklve Mukhi
Moon -
Two Mukhi
Mars - Three Mukhi
Mercury - Four Mukhi
Jupiter -
Five Mukhi
Venus - Six Mukhi
Saturn - Seven or Fourteen Mukhi
Rahu
- Eight Mukhi

Ketu - Nine Mukhi
Note: Ten and Eleven Mukhis are not under any
planetary effect.
i) Many get confused with the shape and size. One
should not seriously worry about it. Just see that the mukhi is well
defined, corns and contours are natural and there are no cracks near the
central hole. Normally the buyer gets a feel when Rudraksha is kept on
the palm. He/She feels that this is the one which was wanted. Smaller
size is considered to be very auspicious.

j) Rudraksha is hot in nature. Some people just can not wear it. Their
skin shows sign of allergy. They can never wear any gold, silver or
thread chain. So better not to use. Keep the beads in puja room and
offer daily namaskars.

k) Can Ladies wear? Yes, they can; barring those 4-5 days when nature is
at work.
l) Is it that only Hindus can wear? No, all can wear. Sun,
Moon, Stars, Rivers and Plants have no Religion.
m) What is the life
of a Rudraksha Bead? It could be any number of days. It well protected,
can be passed on from generation to generation.

n) Can we wear in Ring? No, please avoid. Hands get dirty often. Purity
of the beads gets affected.
o) Does it bring luck? Yes, Shiva Purana
specifically describes that Lakshmi stays where Rudraksha is.
p) What
are the mythological merits? Shiva Purana describes the origin of
Rudraksha as the tears of Lord Shiva. He had been meditating for many
years for the welfare of all creatures. On opening the eyes, hot drops
of tears rolled down and the mother earth gave birth to Rudraksha trees.

q) Does it have any medical use? Yes, Rudraksha is classified as a seed
of ELAEOCARPACEAE family and has many medicinal properties. It is widely
used in preparation of Ayurvedic medicines.
r) Is it true that
Rudraksha controls Blood Pressure? Yes, take a glass of water. Dip two
pieces of Five Mukhi Beads in it, preferably after sun set. Drink it
when you get up in the morning, before any other intake. Do not use
copper glasses.

s) Does Rudraksha help “sudden nervousness”? Yes, keep a big avla size 5
Mukhi Rudraksha Beads with you. Whenever you feel nervous due to sudden
shock and feel cold, just hold it tight in your right palm for ten
minutes. You will regain confidence and body will start warming up.

t) Can Children wear One Mukhi ? Preferably no; we must avoid. One Mukhi
needs high degree of self control which growing children may not be
able to cope up.
u) Can the family members keep inter-changing neck
mala, japa mala or Rudraksha Beads? No. There is a relationship between
the wearer and the Rudraksha, which is very private and must not be
shared. But it can be willed and passed on to the next generation.

v) Should we wear Rudraksha on body when we go to cremation ground? No,
one should not wear.
w) Non-vegetarian and alcohol have become the
part of food for many of the people. Are they therefore disqualified to
wear Rudraksha? Make Rudraksha as a part of your body. Your faith will
bring Grace into your life. Slowly you will find that you are moving
away from non-vegetarian and alcohol. Try. Qualification will come to
you.

x) What is the significance of 15 to 21 Mukhis? Shastras do not
describe. These are very rare to find, yet available. They are
considered to be very auspicious and lucky.
y) We read in Puranas
that Rudraksha are to be worn in different numbers on the different
parts of the body like head, neck, both wrists, both fore arms, abdomen
etc., What is the purpose? Yes. It is true for those who desire to
acquire Sidhis. One should learn from Sidha Purusha or a Yogi, else one
may look like a clown and get nothing.

z) Is Rudraksha Therapy effective? Yes, very much. Only the therapist
should be a well experienced person.