Rudraksha

For thousands of years the saints, sages and yogis of India and the Himalayas have worn Rudraksha malas for their energizing, protective and healing properties. According to the ancient Vedic scriptures like the Rudraksha Jabala Upanishad, Lord Shiva meditated for 1000 years. When he awoke, he saw that the world was in a terrible state. Shiva wept and his hot tears fell on earth and everywhere his tears fell, a Rudraksha tree sprouted up. Rudra is a name of Lord Shiva and aksha means tears. Rudraksha literally means tears of Shiva.

Rudraksha beads are a powerful store of positive Shiva energy and just like batteries, these “divine beads” are a steady source of cosmic energy. When our energy levels are low, Rudrakshas radiate and raise our energy levels and transform negative energy into positive energy. Rudrakshas also deepen meditation and in turn can be recharged with meditation.

The positive cosmic energy of Rudraksha beads help us tap into the pure cosmic energy inside us, activating our body’s natural intelligence and self-healing powers. As Rudrakshas radiate positive cosmic energy, they cleanse, unblock, activate and open the various energy centers in our body. The 7 major energy centers coincide with 7 endocrine glands – the pituitary, pineal, thyroid, thymus, pancreas, adrenal and reproductive glands. These glands affect blood pressure, metabolism, digestion, circulation and other physical functions. They also influence the stress response, depression, mood swings, neurosis and other mental and emotional states. When energy flows smoothly, the endocrine glands function at their optimal best and this results in physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

Rudraksha trees (Elaeocarpus ganitrus Roxb) grow mostly in Indonesia, India and Nepal. Rudraksha berries have a natural hole in the center, lending them to be strung like beads. They have irregular shapes and are categorized by the number of “faces” or mukhis, separated by vertical grooves. Different numbers of mukhis, from 1 to 21, are known to have different energizing, protective and healing properties. Rudrakshas with 1 face or more than 16 faces are relatively rarer, with most beads commonly having 2-16 faces. Each category of Rudraksha has a bija mantra associated with it and the chanting of this mantra reinforces the power of the Rudraksha.

You can find a selection of Rudraksha energized by enlightened master Paramahamsa Nithyananda here.