Rudraksha – The Ancient Remedy for Modern Ailments

Byohmgems

In Indian mythology ‘Rudra’ is another name that has been given to ‘Lord Shiva’. According to sacred Hindu texts ‘Rudra’ transforms tears of sorrow into tears of bliss. According to ancient legends, ‘Lord Shiva’ was in penance for a long time, immersed in a blissful self. It is said that when he woke up from that bliss tears from his eyes fell to the ground. These tears became a seed and grew into the ‘Rudraksha Tree’.

It is also believed that this tree has been endowed with special powers by ‘Lord Shiva’ for our spiritual evolution. Ancient Hindu scriptures like the ‘Shiv Purana’ and ‘Devi Bhagwatam’ are full of therapeutic properties and the spiritual significance of these herbal beads. It is believed that adorning a ‘Rudrakshas Mala is ideal for worshipping ‘Lord Shiva’.

Let’s now find out what a ‘Rudraksha’ is and how is it beneficial to mankind since ancient times.

Rudraksha Tree:

The botanical name of ‘Rudraksha’, according to records is ‘Elaeocarpus Ganitrus’. This is believed to be found at a height or depth of around three thousand metres above or below sea level. It is also said that its leaves resemble those of tamarind but are much longer. These trees are believed to be found mainly in Nepal, Java (Indonesia) and Malaysia. It is also said that among all these Rudraksha beads found in Nepal are considered to be the best. It has been observed that a ‘Rudraksha Tree’ takes 10-12 years to grow and fully bear Rudraksha beads. Also according to botanists, a fully grown Rudraksha tree can bear around 2,000 fruits annually.

Mention of Rudraksha in Ancient Scripts:

There is no mention of a single tree in our ancient legends, sacred texts or spiritual myths as much as that has been mentioned for a ‘Rudraksha’. Also according to Indian mythological legends, the word ‘Rudraksha’ has been derived from two words, i.e. ‘Rudra’ (‘Lord Shiva’) and ‘aksha’ (tears). In the ancient text of the ‘Vedas’, ‘Rudra’ has also been associated with the wind and storm. This wind has been described as the cosmic wind. Even in the ‘Puranas’, ‘Rudra’ has been mentioned as a deity who makes a howling sound when goes about on a path of destruction.

It has also been mentioned in the ancient texts that this destruction is done for regeneration. In ancient scriptures like the ‘Shiv Purana and the ‘Padma Purana’, ‘Rudraksha higher beads up to ‘14 Mukhi beads have been specially mentioned with their significance and benefits. Also in ‘Katyayani Puran’, ‘Rudraksha’ from ’15 beads to 1’ have been categorically mentioned. There are similar mentions of the significance of a ‘Rudraksha’ in all of our ancient texts.

Let’s now see what are the different types of Rudraksha and their significance in our lives.

Types of Rudraksha and their Significance:

‘Rudraksha’ is believed to come in different ‘Mukhis’ or faces i.e. from ‘1 to 21’ faces. It is also said that only ‘14 Mukhis’ are available out of these.

Let’s now see what the different types of ‘Rudraksha Mukhis’ are:

  • 1 Mukhi Rudraksha: It is believed that ‘Lord Shiva’ is the presiding deity of this Rudraksha and it is believed to bring awareness to the supreme consciousness.
  • 2 Mukhi Rudraksha: According to Hindu legends the combined form of ‘Lord Shiva’ and ‘Goddess Parvati’ i.e. ‘Ardhanarishwar’ form the presiding deity in this type of Rudraksha. It is said to bring unity and harmony and it also represents the ‘Guru-Shishya’ relationship.
  • 3 Mukhi Rudraksha: This type of Rudraksha is believed to facilitate the release from the bondage of past ‘Karma’. ‘Lord Agni’ or the lord of fire is believed to preside over this Rudraksha.
  • 4 Mukhi Rudraksha: The teacher or ‘Guru’ is said to be the presiding deity in this type of Rudraksha. It helps the seeker for higher knowledge.
  • 5 Mukhi Rudraksha: According to legends, ‘Kalagni’ is said to be the presiding deity over this Rudraksha. This type of Rudraksha helps us enhance our inner awareness, thus leading us to a higher self.
  • 6 Mukhi Rudraksha: ‘Lord Karthikeya’ is believed to be the presiding deity over this Rudraksha. It helps us achieve emotional stability and overall balance.
  • 7 Mukhi Rudraksha: ‘Goddess Lakshmi’ is said to be the presiding deity on this type of Rudraksha. It is said to bring new opportunities for wealth and also help us with our health conditions.
  • 8 Mukhi Rudraksha: In this Rudraksha ‘Lord Ganesha’ is believed to be the presiding deity. This helps in facilitating the removal of all kinds of hurdles from our lives.
  • 9 Mukhi Rudraksha: This Rudraksha represents power and dynamism and ‘Goddess Durga’ is believed to be the presiding divinity of this Rudraksha. It helps us gain worldly liberation and pleasures.
  • 10 Mukhi Rudraksha: This Rudraksha represents love and peace and is considered one of the most powerful Rudrakshas. ‘Lord Krishna’ is believed to be the presiding deity of this Rudraksha.
  • 11 Mukhi Rudraksha: According to ancient scriptures the 11 minor ‘Rudras’ are believed to be the presiding deity of this Rudraksha. It helps in mitigating the negative influence of the planets.
  • 12 Mukhi Rudraksha: The Sun is believed to be the presiding deity in this Rudraksha. It is believed to bring radiance and power. It helps us in getting rid of our low self-esteem and also helps in self-motivation.
  • 13 Mukhi Rudraksha: ‘Lord Kamdev’ is believed to be the presiding deity in this type of Rudraksha. It helps in manifesting attraction and also helps in awakening the ‘Kundalini’ and other ‘Siddhis’ (powers).
  • 14 Mukhi Rudraksha: ‘Lord Hanuman’ is believed to be the presiding deity of this type of Rudraksha. It is representative of power and courage.

Scientific Significance of Rudraksha:

As we all know by now that Rudraksha beads have had a very deep significance since ancient times. It has also been mentioned in ancient scripts that Rudraksha beads have a therapeutic healing influence over the mind and body and can cure many illnesses.

Let’s now see what scientific significance a Rudraksha has:

  • It helps in stabilizing our body’s condition by resolving the different problems afflicting our body.
  • It thus brings a calming effect on our hearts and senses.
  • It prevents heart attacks and high blood pressure.
  • The Rudraksha is believed to exert the right force around the heart which improves the heart’s performance and also controls the heartbeat and maintains blood circulation.
  • It also acts as a magnet and clears all the blockages or interferences in our arteries and veins etc.

Benefits of Wearing a Rudraksha:

It has been believed that Rudraksha beads work on the different ‘chakras’ (energy centres) of the human body. It is also said that the ‘chakras’ are the ones that align an individual’s life to different planets and gods. It is also said that Rudraksha works best when worn on the body. As Rudraksha beads are believed to emit electromagnetic energies that can deal with all the major aspects of our lives like life, health, creativity, nirvana, affluence, intuitive ability, material pleasures, harmony, relationships etc.

Let’s now see the major benefits of a Rudraksha:

  • It is known to have mitigated the influences of ‘Karma’.
  • It protects us against untoward incidents and ominous accidents.
  • It is believed to be in removing the malefic influences of the planets.
  • It helps in the retention of memory and decision-making.
  • It is extremely beneficial in removing stress and relaxing the mind.
  • It helps in bringing calm and harmony into our lives.
  • It helps increase our self-confidence.
  • It gives peace of mind and stimulates the mental intellect of a person.