FAQ
1. What is a Rudraksha?
Rudraksha (also called Rudraksha) are dried seeds of a tree, which grows in select locations of South East Asia, botanically known as Elaeocarpus ganitrus. It is also called “Tears of Shiva” and there are many legends connected to Lord Shiva that describe its origin. The word Rudraksha comes from "Rudra" (name of Shiva) and "Aksha" meaning tears.
2. Does it bring luck?
Yes, Shiva Purana especially describes that Lakshmi stays where Rudraksha is. The aura of a Rudraksha wearer is large and he attracts good luck and opportunities. The different Mukhi Rudraksha specifically brings health, luck, abundance, courage, protection, and knowledge.
3. What are the benefits of wearing a Rudraksha?
Rudrakshas (also called Rudraksha) are very supportive in maintaining physical and mental balance. For spiritual seekers, it supports enhancing one’s spiritual growth. Its curative properties have been utilized worldwide for a number of physical, mental, and psychosomatic illnesses. More information is provided on the Benefits page.
4. Who can wear Rudraksha?
Anyone, irrespective of gender, cultural, ethnic, geographical, or religious background can wear Rudraksha. They are intended for persons at any stage in life irrespective of mental and physical condition. It can be worn by children, students, the elderly, and the ill for many benefits.
5. What is the life of Rudraksha beads?
Could be any number of years. If well protected can be passed on from generation to generation.
6. Can we wear in hands?
Rudraksha works powerfully as bracelets and armbands and is most convenient to wear this way. Ancient texts speak about wearing Rudraksha on different parts of the body.
7. Does it have any medical use?
Yes, Rudraksha is classified as a seed of the ELAEOCARPACEAE family and has many medicinal properties. It is widely used in the preparation of Ayurvedic medicines. Since it works on empowering Chakras, it protects the body from diseases caused due to chakra imbalance.
8. How to choose the bead size of a 5 Face mala?
They are of the same quality; it is just that it's a question of convenience. The smaller ones cost more simply because the rudraksha is not plucked from a tree, they wait for it to fall down, fully ripe and fall down. So, it is much harder to pick up the smaller beads in the mountain so they cost more; otherwise, they're about the same.
9. How to condition a new Rudraksha?
To condition new Rudraksha beads, immerse them in ghee (clarified butter) for 24 hours and then soak them in full-fat milk for an additional 24 hours. Wash it with water and wipe the beads with a clean cloth. Do not wash them with soap or any cleaning material. Due to this conditioning, the color of the Rudraksha may be altered and it is perfectly normal as these are natural beads. It is also normal that some color of the thread may also come out during the conditioning. Conditioning should be done every six months. You can also wear without any conditioning.
10. When can I wear Rudraksha Mala?
The mala can be worn all the time. You can even wear it when you sleep or shower. If you take cold water baths and are not using any chemical soap, it is especially good for the water to flow over it and upon your body. But if you are using chemical soaps and warm water, it becomes brittle and will crack after some time, so it is best to avoid wearing it at such times.
11. Do Rudraksha always have 108 beads?
No. Traditionally, the number of beads is 108 plus one, the guru. It’s recommended that an adult should not wear a mala with less than 84 beads, plus the guru - but any number over that is fine! Depending on the size of the Rudraksha seeds, the mala will have a varying number of beads like 36, 54, etc.
12. Are the smallest Rudraksha seeds more spiritual by nature?
All Panchamukhi Rudraksha have the same quality, impact, and benefits regardless of the size. You can choose any of the sizes depending on your preference. The smaller beads are rare to find hence the difference in the price.
13. Can I share my Rudraksha with someone else?
No, you should not share your Rudraksha with anyone else, since the Rudraksha adapts to the wearer.
14. People ask, Can ladies wear?
Yes, of course. According to our authentic scriptures, Rudraksha can be worn at all times by all persons irrespective of gender, caste, or creed. Even animals benefit by wearing Rudraksha beads.
15. Is it that only Hindus can wear?
No, all religions can wear. Chakras are there in the human body irrespective of caste and creed. Ancient texts have not limited the wearing of these beads to any caste, religion, or sex.
16. Non - Veg and alcohol have become a part of our food. Are we therefore disqualified to wear Rudraksha?
Ancient texts do not mention Non-veg and alcohol being prohibitive for a Rudraksha wearer. Make Rudraksha a part of your body. Your faith will bring grace to your life. Slowly you will find that you are moving away from non - Veg and alcohol as these tamasic items distract a person from the spiritual path.
17. How can we tell if a Rudraksha has lost its vibrancy?
Rudraksha has a certain quality by nature, so it is important to wear them on the body in a way that treats the Rudraksha with respect and care. Rudraksha should not be worn like jewelry and kept aside later. When a person decides to wear a Rudraksha, it should become like a part of them.
If someone decides not to wear their Rudraksha for an extended period of time, it should be kept preferably in a pooja room.
There are certain situations that are not conducive for Rudraksha. If you don’t want a Rudraksha it should be buried in the soil, if possible, or offered to a body of water, like a river or a well.
18. If a bead of the mala break, do I need to buy a whole new mala?
Cracked beads on a Rudraksha mala should be removed, as their energy will be altered and may not be conducive to the wearer. Individual beads need not be replaced as long as the total bead count on the mala is 84, plus the guur, for people who are age 14 or older. Any number above this is fine to wear for those who are 14 years or older.
19. Should the Rudraksha mala beads always touch each other?
To experience the full benefits of Rudraksha, the beads should always touch each other in a mala. This has to do with the energy movement in the mala. It is important not to thread the mala too tightly or else the beads may become pressed against each other and crack. Gently strung, with all the beads touching, is ideal.
20. Does conditioning Rudraksha “re-energize” them? Or is it only to protect against brittleness/cracking?
Conditioning is meant to help prolong the lifespan of Rudraksha by preventing them from becoming brittle and cracking. Being immersed in ghee and milk every 6 months, and sesame oil every 1 to 2 years, is beneficial for the integrity of the Rudraksha. Conditioning does not “re-energize” Rudraksha. Rudraksha beads are of a certain quality by nature alone.
21. After conditioning, Rudraksha feels oily with a slight smell; can anything be done for this?
After conditioning Rudraksha, it may be slightly slippery and may smell of ghee and milk. Rudraksha can be covered with vibhuti as the final conditioning step to aid in removing any excess oil. To do so, take some vibhuti in your palm and gently roll the Rudraksha in it. Rudraksha should not be washed with water or soap before doing this. Vibhuti should be applied to the Rudraksha directly after removing it from the milk.
22. When conditioning a new Rudraksha, there is sometimes a yellow leakage coming from the beads - is this normal?
The first time a Rudraksha is conditioned after purchasing, there may be some leakage from the beads. The color can vary but is usually yellow or black. This is due to a protective process where mud is used to cover the Rudraksha after receiving it from the growers. When mud is applied to Rudraksha, it ensures the seed is maintained in its original condition, exactly how it was when it came from the tree. The differences in color depend on where the mud originated.
23. Are Rudraksha seeds supposed to get darker in color the longer I wear them? Why does this happen?
Rudraksha tends to become darker with time because of the substances it absorbs; this will be a combination of the ghee, milk, and sesame oil used for periodic conditioning, as well as your natural body oil and sweat. This is a natural process; it does not have to do with sadhana or yogic practices.
24. How do we choose a good Rudraksha?
Many get confused with the shape and size of Rudraksha. One should not seriously worry about it. Just see that the mukhis are well defined, are end to end, corns and contours are natural and there are no cracks along the mukhis. The bead has to be lustrous and healthy and devoid of insect holes.
25. My Rudraksha has a few thorns broken. Will it work?
Ans: Thorns on the Rudraksha bead surface tend to fall off over time as you wear them. But this does not make the bead lose efficacy as the power of the bead is from the seeds within and losing a few thorns (like losing a few hairs from the skin), does not reduce its effectiveness. However, if the Rudraksha bead gets infested with worms who eat through the seeds, one needs to discard them.
26. My Rudraksha has developed cracks on the surface. Will it work?
Ans: Many times the crack develops due to expansion or contraction of the exterior wooden surface due to change in weather. Wash the bead in water often and oil it every few days. It is possible that the cracks will fill up and the bead would work as good
27. In what other way can Rudraksha control blood pressure?
Take a glass of water. Dip two pieces of five Mukhi in it, preferably after sunset. Drink it when you get up in the morning, before any other intake. Do not use copper glasses.
28. How to test the genuine of the beads?
Tests like the one which sinks in water are original and the one that floats is duplicate are not right. Even the ones made of wood with some lead impregnated in it can sink comfortably in the water. The best way is to procure from a reliable source.
29. How long does it take to feel some effect?
Normally within 45 days of wearing the Rudraksha rosary, you can start feeling the positive change. In 90 days you can feel much better. Thereafter it will work continuously giving benefits.
30. Can one wear a combination of different Mukhi's?
Yes, one can wear a combination of all the beads. The individual powers of the beads can be felt simultaneously. One can also wear a pendant of any specific facet of beads. Either more number of a particular facet of beads or a mix of different facets of beads can be worn.
31. Are Rudraksha beads used only for meditation? Is it meant only for people of certain backgrounds?
By wearing these beads one gets tranquility, peace of mind, focus, and concentration. This kind of state of mind is equally ideal for meditation as well as for any other mind-related activity by modern-day professionals. Concentration and focus are the most important requirement for success in any field. Apart from 5 Faceted Rudraksha Beads, there are available from 1 Facet to 38 Facet Beads. From 15 Facet to 21 Facet it is available though not commonly. From 22 to 38 Facets it is rare. Other Beads apart from the 5 Facets are more powerful and have certain specific use. These different faceted beads selectively alter personality and mindset in a positive way. Rudraksha is meant for the entire humanity. Rudraksha can rejuvenate our Mind, Body, and Soul, make us perform to our full potential, and enhance our overall quality of life. The anti-aging property of Rudraksha is well experienced. Rudraksha, the Electro-Magnetic Beads, are the Beads with a utility.
On seeing such powers of Rudraksha beads many considered it to have some supernatural powers, divine, and Godsend. There have been countless mentions of these beads and their powers in various ancient Indian and Buddhist scriptures
32. What is special about Rudraksha beads?
Asians have used Rudraksha beads traditionally. Asian Yogis and Monks found that merely wearing the Rudraksha beads gave them an astonishingly tremendous amount of tranquility, a concentration that helped them meditate for a long period of time with spectacular control over their minds.
33. What is a mukhi?
A mukhi is the face of the bead. So one Mukhi would have one face and one seed. Ten Mukhi would have ten faces and ten seeds.
34. Is there any difference between the Nepali and Indonesian rudraksha in terms of energy?
No. The size of the Indonesian (Javanese) bead is much smaller than the Nepali version, but they have similar energy levels.
35. How do we recognize or identify head and tail parts of Rudraksha beads?
To do this physically take any Mukhi bead and place the flattest end on a smooth table surface so it stands squarely by itself without any tilting from one side or the other. The end sitting on the table surface will be the tail part of Rudraksha. Normally the mouth part of the Rudraksha can be a bit pointed or elongated so it will not stand squarely on its mouth and it will lean to one side or the other.