Rudraksh.org

The term of Rudraksha basically holds its roots in the ancient Hindu religion and its origin in the Sanskrit language. Basically, it is referred for both the Rudraksha beads as well as Rudraksha trees. It is a sum of two terms of ‘Rudra’ and ‘Aksha’, where ‘Rudra’ defines for Lord Shiva and ‘Aksha’ defines for eyes, making the absolute meaning of Rudraksha as the ‘eyes of Lord Shiva’. The reason behind calling it so holds a highly believed ancient belief at its core. According to that belief, Rudraksha trees originated out that every place where the tears of Lord Shiva fall.

Availability

Rudraksha trees are prominently found in Burma, Indonesia, India, Java, Nepal, and Sumatra. Most of the time, the trees are in hilly areas. They have green leaves and have sour brown colored fruits.

Significance

With a significant legend associated with it, it is very obvious for it to be associated with certain religious and spiritual aspect. Found in different distinct forms, each of the form on the grounds of their distinction holds a distinct spiritual identity of its own. Each of them is believed to be divinely bestowed with certain divine powers. This gets much more credible with some highly worshipped legends stating the same. Ancient religious texts of Ashtamalikopnishad, Ling Purana, Mantramaharnava, Mahakaal Sanmhita, Nirnayasindhoo, Padma Purana, Rudrakshajabalopnishad, Shivmaha Purana, Shreemad Devi Bhagwat, Shivaswarodaya, Sarvollastantra, and Vrihajjabalopnishad also define and elaborate highly of this esteemed creation of supreme God.

The Various Forms

According to Purana, Rudraksha is found in a total of fourteen different forms which are differentiated prominently on the grounds of number of Mukhas or natural lines on the shell. These deep natural lines originate from one centre point of the Rudraksha, and flow to the other point. On the basis of these natural lines, the form of Rudraksha is identified. For instance, those with one Mukha (natural line) are 1 Mukhi Rudraksha, those with two Mukha are 2 Mukhi Rudraksha, and so on.

However, some other ancient scriptures suggest the presence of Rudraksha from 1 Mukhi to 108 Mukhi. In some handwritten scriptures, saints have stated the properties of different Rudraksha forms ranging from 1 Mukhi to 21 Mukhi. However, in the present time, only 1 to 14 Mukhi Rudraksha have been identified and approved, which however does not neglect or refuse what ancient scriptures mention.

Uses

Each Rudraksha form is astrologically believed to hold certain powers and abilities with which it creates a certain positive impact on its wearer. That impact is not confined. It is extended to body, mind, and soul of a person. Each form is also associated with certain healing powers, which enable its respective wearer to quickly recover from specific ailments, which might be president on physical, mental, or spiritual part. Also, apart from that, they also derive both materialistic and spiritual benefits, which are considered to be necessary to complete one’s living. They are also considered to hold an association with certain Zodiac Signs and certain astrological planets. That association enables them to be specifically additional beneficial for people of certain Zodiac Signs, and be specifically more able to help one overcome the ill-effects or stimulate the positive effects of a particular astrological planet.

Rudraksha Rosary

One of the most popular and prominent ways of Rudraksha usage is in the form of a Mala (rosary). Astrologically, they should be in the group of either 108+1, or 54+1, or 27+1. It is considered to be the basic precondition of a Rudraksha rosary, as these numbers are considered to be auspicious. They are either worn by people or are used for Japa (chanting). The same rosary cannot be used for both. In these rosaries, the ‘+1’ bead (also called as sumeru) is not meant to be used while chanting, but is used for the purpose of marking a beginning and end to chanting. One can do any form of Japa on it.