Benefits of Rudraksh wearing

The most auspicious days for devotees of Lord Shiv , Mahashivratri, has almost arrived.  This reminded me about ‘Rudraksha’ , as many people wanted to understand. Even monay of those who are using are not fully aware of the benefits, how to maintain Rudraksh and Do’s-and-Dont’s, though some of these would be discussed in later post. Today I though to start on the fundamentals of Rudraksh and its importance.

What is Rudraksh :

Rudraksh (रूद्राक्ष) is a Sanskrit word consisting of two words, “Rudra” & “Akash”, where Rudra is another name or a form of lord Shiva and Akash means “Tear”.

In Vidyeshwar Samhita of Shiv Mahapuran, Lord shiv converse with Devi Parvati about Rudraksh. He says ” Hey Maheshani! Listen to the power and glory of Rudraksha. Because of your love, I say this for the welfare and benefit of devotees. Hey Maheshani! Long ago, while practicing self-restraint and meditation for thousands of years my mind was agitated. herefore Hey Parmenshani! For the preservation of entire universe I closed my eyes tightly. As a result a few drops of water fell down from my eyelids. Trees were born from these tears (on earth), which were named as “Rudraksha” trees. To oblige the devotees, these Rudraksha trees became inanimate”. So It is believed that the plants of Rudraksha were originated from the tear drops of lord Shiva when he closed his eyes in Rudra form to save the universe from its agitated power.

Rudraksh tree is called ‘Elaeocarpus ganitrus ‘ and the beed that we wear are botanically called as ‘Elaeocarpus Ganitrus Roxb’, which is are the seeds of the fruit from Rudraksha trees. The Rudraksha tree grows on mountains and hilly regions and mainly found in – India, Nepal, Indonesia and Java. Its leaves are green in colour and the fruits are brown in color and sour in taste.

The value of Rudraksh can be understood from the following ancient texts in Sanskrit.

“A rudrakshadharo Bhootwa yadyat Karmach Vaidikam, Karoti Japahomaadi tat sarwe nisphalam bhavet”.  Means – A man who perform Vedic rituals, chanting mantras, yajnas etc without wearing Rudraksha, gets no virtue or fruit.

Rudraksha Beads have been worn by mankind for thousands of years for good health as well as religious attainment and ideal life with more concentration, better knowledge and fearless attitude.  As long as a man keeps wearing Rudraksha, he does not fear untimely death, he won’t die without completing his span of life. Its a great blessing to have Rudraksh available to wear, one must wear Rudraksha by all efforts irrespective of religion and caste.

Research :

Early in 1864, Dr. Abraham Jajuar recorded that Rudraksha could be used in mind related diseases and for controlling stress. In 1983 a scientist, Dr Gode, proved that Rudraksha has sterol and polyphenolic compounds. Dr S.P. Gupta in 1985, had treated patients of high blood pressure by orally giving Rudraksha powder for 10 days. The results were positive and curative powers were proved, with no side effects. University of Mumbai has carried many events post 2005 onwards initiated by Rudra Life of Mumbai and found the bead useful in cases of diabetes, Cardiac issues,  inflammation and for memory enhancements.  One of the best known research papers was published by Dr. Suhas Roy of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology in Banaras, India.  Dr. Roys research confirmed that the healing powers of Rudraksha beads flow from their electro-magnetic properties, Rudraksha beads transmit subtle electrical and inductive impulses with opposing polarity and intensity, resulting  a proportionate balancing force exerted on the heart to regulate it if it starts beating above or below normal rates. This action helps to ensure ideal blood circulation in the body.

Types of Rudraksh:

There are 38 varieties of Rudraksh, some are very rare and not normally discussed. These types are determined and named by the ‘number of facets’ it has. Beads from 15 to 38 facets are rare, normally 1 to 14 facets are mostly considered for discussion. While 1 facet is considered most valuable and is very rare, a 5 facet bead is most commonly available and so economical. Rudraksha  beads  are  white,  red,  brown (most common) yellow, and black.

Lets understand the benefits of wearing Rudraksh in more detail, before getting into – how to find original Rudraksh, how to wear and take care.

Benefits of wearing Rudraksh :

• It is said that wearing Rudraksh in right way for long time brings a person closure to qualities of Lord Shiva, while his sins are washed and Lord Shiva’s blessing stays with him, after death also he goes to his place.  ‘Skanda Purana’ states that even if one does not perform his/her religious duties, the Rudraksh will frees him/her from all sins.
• The beads or garland safeguards its wearer from negative energies. If you hold it over negative energy it would move anti-clockwise and clockwise if positive energy. Earlier people utilize this technique to identify suitability of food and water at a suspected place like in forest.
• It brings stability for wearer, not only in life and physical body issues but also emotional aspects.
• It increases focus and concentration, while also remove unnecessary attachments.
• It saves the wearer from untimely death.
• Rudraksh rosary (mala) helps in meditation as well as chakra balancing and ultimately help in awakening of Kundalini energy (ultimate source of energy) for spiritual practitioners.
• The biomedical and electromagnetic properties of Rudraksha helps in reducing stress and hypertension and regulate blood pressure.
• It improves circulation, function of endocrine glands and respiration in the body.
• Also helps in curing the ill-effects of certain planets in astrological horoscope.
• The Rudraksha has the capacity to destroy all the sins accumulated in one’s life and provide liberation.
• A Rudraksha can enhance the power of intelligence, knowledge and creativity.
• It provides a higher lever and faster growth in Spirituality and knowledge.
• It makes the person highly energetic and fearless.
• It gradually eases the person from the fluctuating emotions and protects against psychic disturbances, from social or natural situation like full moon.
• ‘Siva Purana’ tells wearing of Rudraksh frees a soul from bad Karma and help attain his goals. It benefits the person in attaining success, happiness in life, family harmony, creativity, spiritual growth and ward of any negative forces in life.
• ‘Padma Purana’ states that if a person wears Rudraksh on his/her body it will multiply the fruit of good actions a many more times. Srimad Devi Bhagavatam’ states that mere looking at or touching a Rudraksh starts giving benefits.

Normally, the garland or mala for wearing is created by stringing together 108 beads plus 1 extra bead, this extra bead is known as ‘Meru’ or ‘Bindu’.  This additional bead meru ensures that the energy generated by the Rudraksha does not become cyclic, else it can cause dizziness in sensitive people.  A neck mala or Pooja mala should not be mixed, neither the Rudraksh should be transferred to other person except to generation and some exceptions.

I hope it had given you a small idea about the bless thing known as Rudraksh. In next articles I’ll talk in detail about finding the right beads so its beneficial to you plus what to do and what no to, so you can extract maximum benefits. It’s true there are many fake products available and at the start I myself had gone through lot of fake products before I finally devoted myself to understand.

This single bead of Rudraksh is an example of 5 facet bead, called as ‘panchmukhi’ in Sanskrit and is most  commonly available. you can the 5 major lines that are 5 facets. This number of facets only define the type of Rudraksh and hence also the quality it brings (if its pure).

If you need to discuss anything, please join our Forum at  – Shikti Forum , and participate or start a discussion on the topics you need.

You can also write to me for any help or guidance, via mail on – info@shikti.com, or drsantkj@gmail.com, or reach us through the Online Form, while you can also provide your feedback or comments below.

Thanks for your time and sharing the Journey. I would be happy to help or hear your experiences and takeaway.

“Om Namah Shivaay”

Bless & Love

Dr Sant K