Rudraksha is a seed that is used as a prayer bead in Hinduism, especially in Shaivism. When they are ripe, rudraksha seeds are covered by a blue outer shell and are sometimes called blueberry beads. The seeds are produced by several species of large, evergreen, broad-leaved tree in the genus Elaeocarpus, the principle of which is Elaeocarpus ganitrus. The seeds are associated with the Hindu deity Shiva and are commonly worn for protection and for chanting mantras such as Om Namah Shivaya. The seeds are primarily used in India, Indonesia and Nepal as beads for organic jewellery and malas; they are valued similarly to semi-precious stones. Various meanings and interpretations are attributed to beads with different numbers of segments or the locules of seed , and rare or unique beads are highly prized and valuable.
Elaeocarpus ganitrus trees grow to and are found from the Gangetic plain in the foothills of the Himalayas to Nepal, South and Southeast Asia, parts of Australia, and Guam and Hawaii. Of the 300 species of Elaeocarpus, 35 are found in India. It is an evergreen tree that grows quickly. The rudraksha tree starts bearing fruit in three to four 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. Elaeocarpus ganitrus roxb can be found from sea level to. It tends to grow in narrow spaces rather than on open ground. Its leaves resemble those of the tamarind or nux vomica but are longer. It yields between 1,000 and 2,000 fruits annually. These fruits are also known as Amritphala. Rudraksha seeds are covered with a blue outer husk when fully ripe and are also known as blueberry beads. The blue color is not derived from pigment but is structural.
Types
Rudraksha beads have between 1 and 21 lines. Recently, a 27-line rudraksha was found in Nepal. 80% of all rudrakshas have four, five or six lines; those with a single line are rarest. Rudrakshas from Nepal are between and those from Indonesia are between. Rudrakshas are white, red, brown yellow, and black. Gauri Shankar are two rudrakshas naturally joined together. Ganesha have a trunk-like protrusion on their bodies. Sawar is a Gauri Shankar in which one bead has only one line. Trijuti are three rudraksha beads joined naturally. Other rare types include Ved and Dwaita.
There is a long tradition of wearing 108 rudraksha beads in India, particularly within Shaivism, due to their association with Shiva, who wears rudraksha garlands. The mantra Om Namah Shivaya is repeated using rudraksha beads. Hindus have used Rudraksha malas as rosaries for meditation purposes and to sanctify the mind, body and soul since the 10th century at the earliest. Rudraksha beads may be strung together as a Japa mala| and used to count the repetition of a mantra or prayer in way similar to the use of rosaries in Christianity. Most garlands contain 108 beads plus one because as 108 is considered sacred and a suitable number of times to recite a short mantra. The extra bead, which is called the "Meru", Bindu |, or "guru bead", helps mark the beginning and end of a cycle of 108 and has symbolic value as a 'principle' bead. Rudraksha malas usually contain beads in combinations 27+1, 54+1, or 108+1. Devi-Bhagavata Purana describes the preparation of rudraksha mala. The beads are commonly strung on silk, or on a black or red cotton thread. Less often, jewellers use copper, silver or gold wires. The rudraksha may be damaged if strung too tightly.
Meaning: Sage Guha replied: Coral, Pearl, Crystal, Conch, Silver, Gold, Sandal, Putra-Jivika, Lotus, or Rudraksha. Each head must be devoted and thought of as presided over by the deities of Akara to Kshakara. Golden thread should bind the beads through the holes. On its right silver and left copper. The face of a bead should face, the face of another head and tail, the tail. Thus a circular formation must be made.
Meaning: Sage Sanatkumara approached Lord Kalagni Rudra and asked him, "Lord, kindly explain to me the method of wearing Rudraksha." What he told him was, "Rudraksha became famous by that name because initially, it was produced from the eyes of Rudra. During the time of destruction and after the act of destruction, when Rudra closed his eye of destruction, Rudraksha was produced from that eye. That is the Rudraksha property of Rudraksha. Just by touching and wearing this Rudraksha, one gets the same effect of giving in charity one thousand cows."
Meaning: After prostrating himself before the celebrated form of Sri Mahadeva-Rudra in his heart, adoring the sacred Bhasma and Rudraksha and mentally reciting the great Mahavakya-Mantra, Tarasara, Sage Shuka asked his father Geat Sage Vyasa
Meaning: Sage Bhusunda questioned Lord Kalagni-Rudra: What is the beginning of Rudraksha beads? What is the benefit of wearing them on the body? Lord Kalagni-Rudra answered him thus: I closed my eyes for the sake of destroying the Tripurasura. From my eyes thus closed, drops of water fell on the earth. These drops of tears turned into Rudrakshas. By the mere utterance of the name of 'Rudraksha', one acquires the benefit of giving ten cows in charity. By seeing and touching it, one attains double that benefit. I am unable to praise it any more.
They who walk the twin paths of charya and kriya ever praise the twin feet of the Lord. They wear holy emblems—the twin rings in earlobes, the twin rudraksha garland around the neck—and adopt the twin mudras, all in amiable constancy. Tirumantiram 1423. TM
Thinking of Him, great love welling up in their heart, if they finger the rudraksha beads, it will bring them the glory of the Gods. Chant our naked Lord’s name. Say, “Namah Shivaya!” : Tirumurai 3.307.3. PS, 217
