The word “Rudraksha” has its roots in the two Sanskrit words “Rudra” and “Aksha” meaning Lord Shiva and teardrops respectively. According to Hindu Mythology, Lord Shiva once went into deep mediation for the well being of all living creatures. When he woke up. He opened his eyes and tear drops fell on the earth. These tear drops took the form of seeds that later on became the Rudraksha tree. Rudraksha is considered to be the most potent manifestation of the cosmic force. Apart from its religious use, it has got great medicinal value also. Lord Shiva is always portrayed wearing rosaries of rudraksha beads on his head, arms and hands. With this came the religious and spiritual significance of Rudraksha. The sages and yogis of the Himalayas, who live according to the eternal natural law of santana dharma, have always been wearing Rudraksha for centuries for a fearless life on their path to spiritual enlightenment and liberation. Botanically, the holy rudraksha tree is known as ‘Elaeocarpus ganitru, a large evergreen tree with broad leaves and wide crown. Geographically, it is found growing naturally and abundantly is tropical and subtropical areas. Seventy percent of the Rudraksha trees are found in Indonesia, twenty five percent in Nepal and five percent in India. Rudraksha beads are the seeds of the rudraksha fruit obtained from Rudraksha trees. The Rudraksha beads are covered by an outer shell of blue color on fully ripening, so they are also called blue berry beads. Each seed also possesses from 1 to 38 vertical lines running down its surface, like the longitudinal lines on a globe. These lines are known as mukhi (clefts) or faces and are natural formations of the seed. Seeds with one vertical line are known as Eka-Mukhi (one facet), very rare, those with two lines are Dvimukhi (two facets) and so on. According to the basis, these lines or clefts, Rudraksha is set as one, two, three, five, six, sixteen or thirty eight mukhi. Each mukhi Rudraksha has specific properties and provides various scientific, medicinal and spiritual benefits. There are up to 38 mukhi Rudraksha, but 1-14 are most commonly available 95% of the Rudraksha are found with 5 Mukhi.  

Medicinal uses:

1.For hypertension water of Rudraksha beads is consumed empty stomach in the morning is effective. Five beads of Rudraksha are soaked in 200 ml of water overnight to be used in the morning.

2. Acts on central nervous system by emitting bioelectron impulses, which stimulates the brain to release positive neuroharmones inducing calming effects.

3.Indian institute of technology says that Rudraksha is credited with three properties Inductance, capacitance and movement of electric current.

4. Beneficial in mental disorder like insomnia, anxiety, depression and headache.

5. Rudraksha helps in pain management, seizures and behavioural disorder.

6. Oil prepared with decoction of Rudraksha tree bark is effective in Rheumatic pain.

7. Leave acts as antidote to certain poison.

8.Paste of leaves is applied to cure ulcer.

9.Decoction of bark checks bloody vomiting and pitta types of fever.

10.Nuts grounded are used as a remedy in Rheumatism, typhoid fever, epilepsy and headache.

Ayurvedic Energetic

Rudraksha is sweet in taste, cold in potency and its post digestive effect is sweet and pacifies Vata and Pitta Dosha.

Mystic uses:

1.Nullify the effects of malefic planets.

2.Protects from evil energies and negativity.

3.Helps to get rid from addiction and live a life of purity.

4.Pleases Lord Shiva.

5.Helps to awaken Kundalini.

6. Helps to attain salvation.

7. Prevents the sudden death.

Colour Classification:

White Brahamana

Red Kshatriya

Brown Vaishya

Black Shudra

We always see Shiva, Buddha, Shankracharaya’s wearing Rudraksha Mala, Late Prime minster Indira Gandhi, Shiv Sena Supremo Bal Thakrey had always been wearing necklace of Rudraksha. Other great personalities like Dalai Lama and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and many more are always wearing Rudraksha for its spiritual benefits. The beads of rudraksha create a powerful armor, a positive aura around the individual wearing it and make him receptive to positive energies.

1. Dr. Sanjeev Sood is Prof. and Head of Panchakarma Department, Dayanand Ayurvedic College, Jalandhar. Visiting faculty to EISRA-Holland, ICAU-Belgium and Medicarom-Romania. + 91 9814004142, drsanjeevsood@yahoo.com

2. Internee, Dayanand Ayurvedic College, Mahatma Hans Raj Marg, G.T. Road, Jalandhar-144008.