Rudraksha is commonly used to mean the seeds of the rudraksha tree, Elaeocarpus ganitrus and some other species of Elaeocarpus. The Rudraksha is a large evergreen broad-leaved tree which grows in the area from the Gangetic Plain to the foothills of the Himalayas. Rudraksha trees are also found in middle areas of Nepal. Rudraksha seeds are covered by an outer shell of blue color when fully ripe, and for this reason are also known as blueberry beads. The blue colour is derived not from pigment but is structural.^[1] Rudraksha is also used for treatment of various diseases in traditional Indian medicine. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2592x1944, 2523 KB) Taken by myself Kapil Subramanian, not copyrighted and free for use. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2592x1944, 1218 KB) Taken by myself, Kapil Subramanian, not copyrighted, free for use. ... Scientific classification or biological classification is a method by which biologists group and categorize species of organisms. ... Divisions Green algae Chlorophyta Charophyta Land plants (embryophytes) Non-vascular plants (bryophytes) Marchantiophyta—liverworts Anthocerotophyta—hornworts Bryophyta—mosses Vascular plants (tracheophytes) †Rhyniophyta—rhyniophytes †Zosterophyllophyta—zosterophylls Lycopodiophyta—clubmosses †Trimerophytophyta—trimerophytes Pteridophyta—ferns and horsetails Seed plants (spermatophytes) †Pteridospermatophyta—seed ferns Pinophyta—conifers Cycadophyta—cycads Ginkgophyta—ginkgo Gnetophyta—gnetae Magnoliophyta—flowering plants... Classes Magnoliopsida - Dicots Liliopsida - Monocots The flowering plants (also called angiosperms) are the dominant and most familiar group of land plants. ... Magnoliopsida is the botanical name for a class: this name is formed by replacing the termination -aceae in the name Magnoliaceae by the termination -opsida (Art 16 of the ICBN). ... Genera Aceratium Aristotelia Crinodendron Dubouzetia Elaeocarpus Peripentadenia Sericolea Sloanea Valea Elaeaocarpaceae is a family of flowering plants. ... Species see text Elaeocarpus is a genus of tropical and subtropical evergreen trees and shrubs. ... In biology, binomial nomenclature is the formal system of naming species. ... William Roxburgh (June 29, 1759 - April 10, 1815) was a Scottish physician and botanist. ... Species see text Elaeocarpus is a genus of tropical and subtropical evergreen trees and shrubs. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Perspective view of the Himalaya and Mount Everest as seen from space looking south-south-east from over the Tibetan Plateau. ... A ripe red jalapeño cut open to show the seeds For other uses, see Seed (disambiguation). ... Species See text. ...

Various Rudrakshas, a rare double fused one - Gowri Shankar(leftmost), A single clefted(gold capped)

In Sanskrit rudraksha literally means "the eye of Rudra" or "red-eyed", from rud, "to cry," and aksha, meaning "eye". In one story by Śaivites, God himself (Śiva) shed a tear, on viewing the misfortunes of humanity. This single tear became the first Rudraksha tree, and a sign of his compassion. In another story, while destroying the asura fortress of Tripura (mythology), the seeds from Lord Siva's eyes emerged to form rudraksha. Rudraksha literally stands for the eyes of Lord Shiva implying that it was "pleasant to the eyes of Lord" (Shiva), and hence it is named in his honour. The seeds have been traditionally considered sacred, and are said to have diverse mystical powers, including being an amulet against evil. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2592x1944, 1009 KB) Taken by myself, Kapil Subramanian. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2592x1944, 1009 KB) Taken by myself, Kapil Subramanian. ... The Sanskrit language ( , for short ) is a classical language of India, a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, and one of the 23 official languages of India. ... Rudra (Sanskrit: रुद्रः) (Howler) is a Rigvedic God of the storm, the hunt, death, Nature and the Wind. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Lord Åšiva. ... Humanity refers to the human race or mankind as a whole, to that which is characteristically human, or to that which distinguishes human beings from other animals or from other animal species primal nature. ... It has been suggested that Idiot compassion be merged into this article or section. ... // In Hinduism In Hindu mythology, the Asura (Sanskrit: असुर) are a group of power-seeking deities, sometimes misleadingly referred to as demons. ... Tripura (meaning three cities, in Sanskrit) was constructed by the great architect Mayasura. ... Shiva (also spelled Siva; Sanskrit ) is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. ... An amulet from the Black Pullet grimoire An amulet (from Latin amuletum, meaning A means of protection) or a talisman (from Arabic tilasm, ultimately from Greek telesma or from the Greek word talein wich means to initiate into the mysteries. ... In religion evil refers to anything against the will or law of the god(s). ...

Rudraraka beads are the material from which sacred garlands (108 beads in number) or rosaries are made. In essence, rudraksha is a Saivite rosary. They are used for japa mala. Rudraraka is a common aid to worship in Śaivism. Rudraksha mala are worn by Hindu monks, and many devotees wear a single bead hung from their neck. The use of rudraraksha can distinguish denomination amongst Hindus. Some Vaishnavites use beads made of tulsi while Saivites use rudraraksa. One Vaishnavite text, the Padma Purana, declares that the 5th Rudraksha (which represents Rudra or Shiva Himself) is the most important for wearing on the earth. [1] In Tantric Buddhism rudraksha beads are sometimes used for the practice of wrathful deities. Beads Cloisonné beads Dichroic beads (10 mm) A bead is a small, decorative object that is pierced for threading or stringing. ... Our Lady of Lourdes - Mary appearing at Lourdes with Rosary Beads The Rosary (from Latin rosarium, crown of roses), an important and traditional devotion of the Catholic Church consisting of a set of prayer beads and a system of set prayers. ... Saivite: of Saivism; belonging to Saivism, the Hindu denomination that worships God Siva as the Supreme God. ... Our Lady of Lourdes - Mary appearing at Lourdes with Rosary beads. ... A japa mala or mala is a set of prayer beads popular in India and Tibet, often with 108 beads in number. ... Åšaivism is a branch of Hinduism that worships Siva as the Supreme God. ... A Hindu ( , Devanagari: हिन्दु), as per modern definition, is an adherent of the philosophies and scriptures of Hinduism, and the religious, philosophical and cultural system that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... Vaishnavites are followers of Vaishnavism in which Vishnu or His avatars are worshipped as the supreme God. ... Binomial name Ocimum tenuiflorum L. Synonyms Ocimum sanctum L. The Tulsi (also known as Tulasi) plant or Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is an important symbol in many Hindu religious traditions. ... A mandala used in Vajrayana Buddhist practices. ... A notable feature of Tibetan Buddhism is the emphasis on wrathful deities, often alternative manifestations of normally peaceful deities. ...

In ancient Indian culture, yogis divided food into three categories - Positive Pranic, Negative Pranic and Neutral/Zero Pranic. When the Rudraksha mala is being held above the foods, it will allegedly rotate clockwise for positive Pranic, anticlockwise for negative Pranic and in a pendulum action for zero Pranic foods.

There are different varieties of Rudraksh available, and these are classified according to the number of grooves in the Rudraksh: Pachamukhi (5 faces), Dwi Mukhi (2 faces), Eka mukhi (1 face) etc. Each one has its own particular properties when worn by an individual. Rudraksh is capable of holding the energy of the person who is wearing it, unlike Spadika (which has only a cooling effect on the body) or any other seed. There is a prevalent myth that Rudraksh should not be worn by consuming non-vegetarians, couples, or women during menstruation - but this is spurious. Anyone can wear it any time.

The Rudraksh seeds are brittle in nature and so it should be protected from chemicals and toileteries. Wearing Rudraksha mala cleanses a person's aura.

Origin & Myths

Rudraksha has its etymological origin in the Sanskrit words, Rudra and Aksha. Rudra is another name for Lord Shiva, and aksha means teardrop. Mythological tales have it that the Rudraksha plant was born out of Lord Shiva’s tear drops. Ancient scriptures, such as Shiva Purana, Padma Purana and Srimad Bhagavad mention the greatness and wonderful powers of Rudraksha. For thousands of years, they have adorned the bodies of sages and saints leading a fearless life in far-flung frontiers, seeking enlightenment and liberation.

Medicinal Value & Biomedical Properties

Rare Himalayan Rudraksha with 14 faces or lines

According to the Ayurvedic medical system, wearing Rudraksha can have a positive effect on the heart and nerves, and relieve the wearer from stress, anxiety, depression, palpitations and lack of concentration. It is also known for its anti-ageing effect, and electromagnetic and inductive properties. People with high blood pressure have been found to have benefited from the use of Rudraksha seeds. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

While all types of rudrakshas are considered to be auspicious,each has its distinct nature and boon-giving ability as follows: 14-mukhi Rudraksha is said to awaken the sixth-sense organ by which the wearer foresees future events. It is supposed to be a very powerful antidote for Saturnine miseries and provides miraculous cures for several ailments. Fourteen face (Chaturdasha mukhi) Rudraksha are the best known remedy to cope with Vedic astrology's "Sade Sati" or Saturn lunar transits.

5-mukhi Rudraksha is the form of Rudra named Kaalagni. By wearing its mala the wearer’s mind is supposed to remain peaceful. It is accepted that the wearer of 5-faced Rudraksha mala never suffers untimely death^{[citation needed]}.

See also

• Japa Mala
• Japa
• Murti
• Relic

A japa mala or mala is a set of prayer beads popular in India and Tibet, often with 108 beads in number. ... Japa, or Japam, is a spiritual discipline in which a devotee repeats a mantra or the name of the God. ... Bronze Chola murti depicting Shivas most famous dancing posture, the Nataraja, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. ... A relic is an object, especially a piece of the body or a personal item of someone of religious significance, carefully preserved with an air of veneration as a tangible memorial, Relics are an important aspect of Buddhism, some denominations of Christianity, Hinduism, shamanism, and many other personal belief systems. ...

References

1. ^ Lee, D. W. Ultrastructural basis and function of iridescent blue color of fruits in Elaeocarpus. Nature 349, 260−262 (1991).

External links

• Nepali RUDRAKSHA information
• RUDRAKSHA BEADS information
• ABOUT RUDRAKSHA BEADS information
• Sri Rudraksha information
• Properties of Rudraksha beads