Rudraksha

Rudrakshas are formed from the seeds of certain plants. They were originally found in the Himalayan regions and are prevalent in other areas such as Nepal and the Western Ghats. The main plant which provides rudrakshas is the Elaeocarpus Ganitrus. Rudrakshas are also known in mythology as the tears of Lord Shiva and have significance in various cultures and traditions associated with Hinduism.

What are Rudrakshas?

India is home to Yoga. The ancient yogic system involves a discipline of the mind with thousands of years of practice to back the system. Vedas are another vital source of history. There is still uncertainty regarding the original authors of Vedas. It is believed that Vedas are over 12,000 years old. Vedas and The yogic system both promote and mention the use of rudrakshas as a healing system. Rudrakshas are also deeply imbibed in spirituality and are said to treat emotional and mental well-being.

History of Rudrakshas

The essence of Rudrakshas comes from the Hindu god Shiva. Lord Shiva is said to have 1008 names, and Rudr is one of those names. The literal translation of the word Rudr in Sanskrit means tears. Thus, Rudrakshas are considered to be the tears of Lord Shiva. It was said that Lord Shiva was in deep meditation, which made him realize the world’s sufferings, and his compassion for humanity resulted in tears falling from his eyes.

The tears which fell from his eyes created the Rudraksha Tree. Rudraksha has been mentioned in the Rudraksha Upanishad, which states that the wearer of Rudraksha will be forgiven of past misdeeds. This promotes a new entry into spiritual life, absolving the wearer of their past sins.

Lord Shiva had a specific significance towards the Rudraksha tree, claiming it to influence the spiritual growth of a human. Rudraksha is also believed to provide Raksha, which translates to protection. Shiva Purana, which talks about Lord Shiva’s writings, the wearer of Rudraksha, has a direct connection and bond with Lord Shiva.

Significance of Rudraksha

Rudraksha is worn and held to be significant amongst spiritual believers, yogis and worn for a fashion statement. Rudraksha is shaped like an apricot and is small coloured seeds. In the western world, wearing a rudraksha mala (Garland) is widespread. It is believed that the mala protects humans from any negative energy and the chakras present inside balance the negativity from the past karma.

The Rudraksha mala consists of 108 beads or 111 beads with an addition of 1 extra bead. It depends on the source and belief on what kind of mala needs to be worn. The Kalyuga period, which is the present time, is dominated by 111 bead Rudrakshas.

Rudrakshas are used frequently in prayers and meditation. To pray with a rudraksha, the wearer sits in silence and uses their thumb to touch the beads one by one until the circle is completed. This process is called japamala. Japamala is believed to form a direct connection with the lord.

Rudrakshas are also made from organic materials. Rudrakshas contain materials such as precious stones, bones, pearls, wood, and lava. The organic components inside the Rudraksha have their medicinal effects enhancing the benefits of Rudraksha. The organic rudrakshas are popular among Yogis and worshippers of Shiva.

Rudraksha Tree

The Rudraksha Tree is also known as Shiva’s tree. The scientific name for the tree is Elaeocarpus ganitrus. The tree is commonly found in the foothills of the Himalayas. The Elaeocarpus ganitrus is also found in other Asian countries such as Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. Blueberry seeds is another name for Rudraksha seeds as it has a prominent significance with Lord Shiva, also known as Neelkantha. When they become fully ripe, the Rudraksha seeds have a blue outer coating that gives the name adorned by Lord Shiva devotees. The rudraksha seeds are also known to depict the tears of Lord Shiva.

Advantages of Rudraksha

There are countless benefits to wearing Rudraksha, from aesthetic to spiritual reasons. The Rudraksha mala containing 108 or 111 beads offers the following benefits:-

Protection- Believed to be powered by the strength of Lord Shiva, rudraksha grants protection to the wearer against any negativity. From physical ailments to mental diseases, the rudrakshas works as a shield in protecting the human body.

Positive Radiation- The vibrations emitted by Rudraksha emit positivity which brings in good things to the mind, body, and soul. Wearers of Rudraksha have an increased sense of happiness and mental well-being, which improves every aspect of life.

Karma- Our deeds constitute our karma. While we can’t change our karma easily, it is possible to improve our karma. Rudrakshas work towards improving our karma by balancing our negative karmas with positive ones to improve our future life.

Removes Planetary Influence- Rudrakshas work towards balancing the chakras of the plant and removes bad planetary influences such as Shani, which could be a reason for problems in your life.

Concentration- Users frequently report improved concentration from wearing rudraksha. The japamala requires concentration, and frequently doing japamala aids in improving concentration.

Harmony in World- The origin of Rudraksha was when Lord Shiva felt compassion towards the world. Similarly, Rudraksha aims to promote peace and harmony in the world and emits positive sources of vibrations worldwide.

Disease Treatment- Many physical ailments, including high blood pressure and gastrointestinal issues, are treated through rudraksha. It provides a healthy body free from toxins to the wearer.

Chakras- Rudraksha balances all the chakras from the universe in your body, promoting healthy spiritual growth. The toxic traits from the universe are removed with the wearing of Rudrakshas.

What to look for when buying Rudrakshas?

Rudrakshas differ in their variations. The number of beads differs from one face to twenty-one faces. Not every rudraksha is the same for everyone. The kind of rudraksha to be worn should only be under the guidance of an expert astrologer. Our astrologer provides services examining your chakras and horoscope to identify the planetary movements to suggest the appropriate rudraksha for you.

Buying or wearing the wrong form of rudrakshas can cause adverse reactions when balanced with your chakras, leading to negative energies and problems. Thus it is vital to choose the correct kind of rudraksha which aligns with your body chakras.

Malas are the popular form of rudrakshas worn by people all over the world. However, the malas in today’s time have gotten wrong with the advent of commercialization. Thus, it becomes crucial to be aware of the seller when it comes to buying malas. A deadly seed in Uttar Pradesh by the name of badraksh is prevalent. On a physical examination, both rudraksha and badraksh look similar. Only an expert could identify the difference. Thus, consult a reputed astrologer before purchasing your rudraksha.