Rudraksha - FAQ

Q: What are Rudraksha Beads ? Where are they available?
A: Rudraksha beads, botanically known as Elaeocarpus Ganitrus Roxb are the seeds of the Rudraksha fruit from Rudraksha trees, Rudraksha trees are found mainly in South Eastern Asian Islands of Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Bali, Iriyan Jaya, Timor of what is Known as modern day Indonesia and parts of South Asian Kingdom of Nepal, Around 70% of the Rudraksha trees are found in Indonesia, 25% from Nepal and 5% in India.

Q: How do we choose a good Rudraksha?
A: Many get confused with the shape and size of Rudraksha. One should not seriously worry about it. Just see that the mukhi is well defined, corns and contours are natural, and there are no cracks near the central hole. The bead has to be lustrous and healthy and devoid of deep cracks and insect holes.

Q: What is special about Rudraksha beads? Are Rudraksha Beads used only for Meditation ? Is it meant only for people of certain background ?
A: Asians have used Rudraksha beads traditionally. Asian Yogis and Monks found that merely wearing the Rudraksha beads gave them astonishingly tremendous amount of tranquility, concentration that helped them meditate for a long period of time with spectacular control over their mind. This kind of state of mind is equally ideal for meditation as well as for any other mind related activity by modern day professionals Concentration and focus are the most important requirement for success in any field, Rudraksha is meant for entire humanity Rudraksha can rejuvenate our Mind, Body and Soul, make us perform to our full potential and enhance our overall quality of life The anti aging property of Rudraksha is well experienced. On seeing such powers of Rudraksha beads many considered it to have some Supernatural Powers. Divine and Godsend There have been countless mention of these beads and it's Powers In various ancient Indian and Buddhist scriptures.

Q: Do Rudraksha suit all skin types?
A: Rudraksha is hot in nature. Some people cannot wear it. Their skin shows signs of allergy. In that case you may keep the beads in the Puja room and offer daily prayers.

Q: Can ladies wear ?Is it that only Hindus can wear Rudraksha?
A: Yes, ladies can, barring those 4-5 days when nature is at work.
Any human being in the world, related to any religion, society or community could wear Rudraksha. But as some precautions are to be taken while wearing a Rudraksha, it is suggested to wear Rudraksha only by the people over 14 years of age, as children are careless and may cause disrespect to the Rudraksha.

Q: Non-veg. and alcohol have become the part of our food. Are we therefore disqualified from wearing Rudraksha?
A: Make Rudraksha a part of your body. Your faith will bring grace in your life. Slowly you will find that you are moving away from non-veg. and alcohol.

Q: Can one wear the combination of Different Mukhis ?How do we decide which combination of beads to wear ?
A: Yes one can wear the combination of all the beads. The individual Powers of the beads can be felt simultaneously one can also wear a pendant of any specific facet of beads. Either more number of a particular facet of beads or a mix of different facet of beads can be worn. You can choose beads according to the properties of the different beads. You may choose to wear one bead of different facets or multiple beads as wearing multiple beads enhances the Power of that mukhi .You could add to this, the rudraksha of specific planets for pacifying those planets in your horoscope that are giving negative influences. Rudraksha Therapy is more effective than gem therapy as rudraksha also pacify the negative influence of planets and also give peace and comfort to the wearer. In astrology, Rudraksha is used as remedy of malefic planets. Unlike gems and stones, Rudrakshas are said to be always beneficial for the wearer. As the direct blessings of Lord Shiva is involved, no question of illness or negative results arises.

Q: What is the life of Rudraksha Beads?
A: The life could be any number of years. If well protected, they can be passed on from generation to generation.

Q: Can we wear it in a ring?
A: No, Please avoid this. Hands get dirty often. Purity of the bead thus gets affected.

Q: Does it bring luck?
A: Yes, Shiva Purana especially states that Goddess Lakshmi stays where Rudraksha is.

Q: Can children wear 1 Mukhi Rudraksha?
A: We would say 'No'. We should avoid this. 1 Mukhi Rudraksha need high degree of self- control which growing children may not be able to cope up with. Children however respond very well to other lower mukhi Rudraksha.

Q: Can the family members keep Interchanging Neck Malas, Japa Malas or Rudraksha beads ?Should we wear Rudraksha on body when we have to go to cremation ground ?
A: No, There is a relationship between the wearer and Rudraksha. Which is very private and must not be shared but it can be willed and passed on to the next generation.
No, one should not wear it while visiting cremation ground.

Q: We read in the Puranas that Rudraksha are to be worn in different numbers on the different parts of the body like head, neck, both wrists, both forearms, waist, abdomen etc. What is the purpose?
A: Yes. It is true for those who desire to acquire special Siddhis. The number of beads is very important when wearing on different parts of the body like 27 or 54 or 108 for the neck, 32 for throat, 6/11/15 for arms, 5 for waist etc.

Q: Does it have any medical use?
A: Yes, Rudraksha is classified as a seed of Elaeocarpaceae family and has many medicinal properties. It is widely used in the preparation of Ayurvedic medicines.

Q: In what other way can Rudraksha control blood pressure ?Does Rudraksha help Sudden Nervousness ?
A: Take a glass of water. Dip two pieces of five Mukhis in it, preferably after sunset. Drink it when you get up in the morning, before any other Intake. Do not use copper glasses.
Yes. Keep a big size 5 Mukhi Rudraksha with you. Whenever you feel nervous due to sudden shock and feel cold, just hold it tightly in your right palm for 10 minutes. You will regain your confidence and body will start warming up.

Q: Is Rudraksha therapy effective?
A: Yes. Very much. But the therapist should be a well-experienced person. Rudraksha beads work on physical, emotional and planetary and karmic levels to heal a person and this kind of healing is most deep-rooted.

Q: How to test the genuinely of the beads ?How do we choose a good Rudraksha ?
A: Tests like floating and sinking of beads to test originality are not correct tests as even an unripe or dry but genuine rudraksha may float. And a non-genuine bead may sink. Copper coin tests etc do not give conclusive results, as nowadays fake rudraksha are made by tampering original rudraksha beads So the client needs to be aware about the ways In which a rudraksha is faked and use simple procedures like observing the mukh lines by magnifying glass, soaking in warm water to observe tampered mukh lines if any etc Best way is to procure from reliable source.

Many get confused with the shape and size. One should not seriously Worry about it. Just see that the Mukhi is well defined and that there Are no cracks near the central hole and bead is healthy and not eaten By insects etc.

Q: Care and Precautions?
A: Mala should be taken off while taking bath as regular Soap could dehydrate the beads and clog the pores of the beads. Also Talcum powder clogs the pores of the beads. Authentic Puranas do recommend taking bath with Rudraksha on the body, so if you decide to do so, protect them from soap and powder.

Rudraksha may be worn on a regular basis. There is no taboo written in our authentic Puranas to be followed while wearing them. Some books state that the mala could be taken off during menstrual cycle. Sex, and bowel movements and in funeral times It is recommended to take off mala at night before sleep and worn again in the morning after bath. If the beads need cleaning after regular wear, dip them in warm soapy water overnight. Then Scrub them thoroughly using a plastic brush after this wash them with normal water and let them dry. Then apply oil (Olive oil/Sandal wood Oil) on the beads using a small toothbrush. Then purify by offering Incense and sandal paste and chant the Seed mantras for the rudraksha beads Rudraksha are strong beads and have a life of thousands of years if well taken care of.
"Om namah shivay"!!