Frequently Asked Questions About Rudraksha (2024)
Last updated on February 28th, 2024 at 09:59 am
What is a Rudraksha?
They are dried seeds of a tree that grows in certain places in South East Asia. Its botanical name is Elaeocarpus Ganitrus.
Rudraksha has a strong link with Lord Shiva. The word literally translates to tears of Shiva, where Rudra means Shiva and Aksha means tears.
Who all can wear the Rudraksha?
Rudraksha can be worn by everyone, irrespective of their age, gender and geographical or cultural background. There are certain recommendations pertaining to who would wear what type of Rudraksha. For example, to wear the panchamukhi (five-faced) Rudraksha or the Gauri Shankar Rudraksha, you should be more than 14 years of age, while the Shanmukhi (six-faced) Rudraksha can be worn by children aged below 14. Dwimukhi (two-faced) Rudraksha are good for marital relationships, and hence it is advisable that the husband and wife wear this type of Rudraksha.
Dos and dont’s of wearing a Rudraksha
- The Rudraksha should be bought from a reliable source. Expert advice must be sought to determine what type of Rudraksha would suit you well.
- You should begin wearing the Rudraksha only after proper conditioning.
- When you start wearing the Rudraksha for the first time, you should take a shower before wearing it. Monday is considered the most auspicious day to start wearing a Rudraksha.
- To retain the purity of Rudraksha beads, they should be handled with clean hands.
- Preferably, the access of Rudraksha to others should be limited, as anyone touching the beads may transfer his/her energy to them, thus affecting the beads’ efficacy.
- Store the Rudraksha mala in a clean place when not wearing it. Avoid leaving it on cement floors for extended periods. Do not use Rudraksha if it has been on a cement floor for 48 days or more, as any damage incurred during this time cannot be reversed through conditioning.
Does the size of the Rudraksha beads define their quality or benefits for the user/wearer?
All five-faced Rudraksha beads have the same impact and quality irrespective of their size. The smaller beads are costlier because, since the seeds are picked after they fall from the tree, picking the smaller ones is difficult.
How should the Rudraksha be stored?
You can store Rudraksha in a cotton or silk cloth or a copper container. Note that you should not condition the Rudraksha in a copper vessel as the conditioning requires the use of milk, and milk gets oxidized when placed in a copper utensil.
What is the ideal position of the bindu in a Panchamukhi Rudraksha mala?
The bindu in the mala should be placed at the center of your chest. However, it may change positions as you move, which is fine.
Can a Rudraksha be shared between two or more individuals?
It is not advisable to share the Rudraksha between different individuals, as it is believed that the Rudraksha adapts to the individual who wears it.
How to condition a Rudraksha?
Immerse the Rudraksha beads in ghee for 24 hours, then soak them in full-fat milk for the next 24 hours. Then wash them with water and wipe them clean. A Rudraksha should be conditioned every six months. It is not advisable to expose them to soap or any chemical cleansers. Detailed information about ‘conditioning of Rudraksha’.
Do Rudraksha beads change their colour over time?
During conditioning, the Rudraksha beads absorb ghee, milk and oil. They also absorb the sweat and natural oil from the wearer’s body. Due to these factors, the beads may darken over time.
What are the benefits of Rudraksha?
- Rudraksha balances all the chakras in the body and helps remove potential diseases.
- It positively impacts the nervous system, improving the alertness of the wearer and also improving his/her memory, concentration and ability to focus.
- It lowers stress levels and reduces anxiety.
- Rudraksha is said to protect the user from negative energies.
- It is believed to be of great help in one’s spiritual journey. It can aid the wearer/user towards achieving self-awareness and enlightenment. To know more about the Rudraksha benefits, read the linked post.
What are the guidelines for wearing a Rudraksha mala?
- Traditionally, the number of beads in a Rudraksha mala is 108 plus 1, where the extra bead is called bindu.
- The mala should have a bindu otherwise the energy gets cyclical and sensitive individuals using a mala without a bindu may feel dizzy.
- For an adult, the minimum number of beads in the mala is 84 plus 1.
- When strung into a mala, it is advisable to string Rudraksha beads with a silk or cotton thread. The string should be replaced at least once a year.
- The mala should be worn all the time, even during bath.
- It is good for the bath water to flow on the mala and then over your body, unless you use chemical soaps or hot water, as due to these, the beads may get brittle and even crack.
- The beads in the Rudraksha mala should touch each other, so as to facilitate energy movement in the mala.
- The beads should not be strung very tightly because the pressing of beads on one another may cause them to crack or break.
How to dispose Rudraksha?
It is not advisable to wear a Rudraksha mala which has broken beads. You can either replace broken beads or opt to remove them, then restring the remaining ones onto the mala. Cracking or breaking of the beads is said to reduce their spiritual effects. So this is a primary reason why Rudraksha beads may require to be disposed. If, for this or any other reason, you wish to discard your Rudraksha beads, it should be immersed in flowing water.
These were some frequently asked questions about the Rudraksha and their answers. This writeup was an effort to answer some commonly asked questions that cover the rules for wearing Rudraksha, the care instructions, and some important things you should know about these holy beads and their benefits. May the Rudraksha bless you with wellness and peace.