Talk:Rudrākṣa (‘Rudra’s eye’)
By Swami Harshananda
Rudrākṣa literally means ‘Rudra’s eye’.
Origin of Rudrākṣa[edit]
The rudrākṣa is the berry of the tree or the shrub Elaeocarpus ganitrus, used to prepare Saiva rosaries. When Rudra (Siva) performed austerities for a thousand years with open eyes the tears that rolled out of his eyes[1] fell on the earth and grew into fine trees producing these berries. Hence it is named as rudrākṣa or rudrākṣi.
Types of Rudrākṣa[edit]
It is well-known that Rudra/Siva has three eyes. From the eye representing Surya or the sun, 12 varieties of rudrāksas, dark-brown in color, were produced. From the second eye representing Candra or the moon, 16 varieties of white rudrāksas were created. From the third eye representing Agni or the fire, 10 varieties of dark rudrāksas were evolved. Thus 38 varieties of rudrāksas are stated to be in existence.
Eligibility to Wear Rudrākṣa[edit]
With regards to the wearing of the rudrāksas[2] on the body, different colors are recommended for different varṇas as follows:
- White ones for brāhmaṇas
- Red or brown ones for kṣattriyas
- Yellow or mixed colored ones for vaiśyas
- Dark or black ones for the śudras
Size of Rudrāksa[edit]
A rudrākṣa bead may be of different sizes. They are:
- Big
- Medium
- Small
Faces of Rudrāksa[edit]
Its mukhas or faces may vary from one to fourteen, wearing of the different varieties on the body is said to produce different results. For instance:
- Wearing a necklace of rudrākṣas with one mukha or six mukhas can free a person from the sin of brahmahatyā.[3]
- Wearing a necklace of ten mukhas can get rid of the trouble created by evil spirits.
- Wearing a necklace of twelve mukhas can vouchsafe freedom from diseases and enemies.
- Etc.
Usage of Rudrāksa[edit]
- Performing japa[4] with a rosary of rudrākṣas duly consecrated is considered extremely auspicious. However, one should not wear this on the body.
- Rudrākṣas strung with cotton or silk thread can be worn on different parts of the body, like the two arms, wrists, on the tuft of hair, in the neck, in the ears
and on the chest. The number of beads on each has also been specified.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore