About Rudraksha

Rudraksha is a Sanskrit term consisting of the name Rudra ("Shiva") and aksha ("Teardrops" ).It is a seed traditionally used as prayer beads in Hinduism. The seed is produced by several species of large evergreen broad-leaved tree in the genus Elaeocarpus, with Elaeocarpus ganitrus being the principal species. It is an evergreen tree that grows quickly. The Rudraksha tree starts bearing fruit in five to six years from germination. As the tree matures, the roots form buttresses, rising up near the trunk and radiating out along the surface of the ground. They are associated with the Hindu deity Shiva and are commonly worn for protection by his devotees. The seeds are primarily used in India and Nepal as beads for organic jewellery and malas, and are valued similarly to precious Gem stones. Various meanings and powers are attributed to these beads with different numbers of segments (faces or Mukhis), and rare or unique beads are highly priced and valuable. The size of Rudraksha is always measured in millimeters. They range from the tiny Java Bead measuring as small as a size of the black pepper to larger ones, some almost reaching the size of a walnut. The origin,size and the number of Mukhis are the three major criteria that determine the price and property of a Rudraksha seed.Greater the number of Mukhis or lines on a Rudraksha bead ,higher is the price because such beads are produced only in limited numbers . Also the medicinal properties of Rudraksha changes with different Mukhis. A Rudraksha's surface should be hard and the projections should be well grooved, as found in most of the Nepalese Rudrakshas. Indonesian Rudraksha has a different appearance.altogether with superficial white lines,but to the point of effectiveness both are equally effective only that the java beads take a little longer time to show results than the Nepalese beads which starts showing results in a few days after wearing it. This can be attributed to the deep grooves and larger projections of the surface area of a Nepal Bead vice a versa Indonesian variety which comparatively has smaller groove and a reduced surface area..Rudraksha from Indias Himalayan region shows very high and deeply grooved projections resembling natural deep hills and valleys.

Significance There is a long tradition of wearing Rudraksha beads in India, particularly among Shaivites, due to their association with Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva himself wears rudraksha garlands.Now ,people world wide are wearing these beads considering there healing properties in terms of spiritual, physical and emotional level. Rudrakshas are traditionally worn by both men and women , due to Lord Shiva being a male deity and Godess Parwati, Shivas concert being a female deity. Although there are no specific prohibitions, it is more common for women to wear these beads in jewellery fashion made up of other materials,such as pearls and corals. . Rudraksha beads may be strung together as Mala and used to count the repetition of a mantra or prayers.Most garlands contain 108 beads plus one, as 108 is considered sacred and a suitable number of times to recite a short mantra. The extra bead, called the "meru", bindu or "guru bead", helps mark the beginning and end of a cycle of 108, as well as having symbolic value as a 'principle' bead. It is believed that, as a sacred material, rudraksha beads are able to hold energy of the recited mantra and aid the worshiper in his or her concentration and spiritual development. Single rudraksha or a combination of different mukhi beads may be worn around the neck in the form of sidh mala,indrakshi mala for protection, or in other forms of jewellery such as bracelets , armlets or earrings. When the beads are strung, Silk or a cotton thread is more commonly used. Alternatively copper, silver or gold wire may be used to enhance the powers of rudraksha beads. The mala should initially be worn all the time to draw maximum benefis from them.