About Rudrakshya

The word Rudrakshya is derived from Sanskrit, infact, a combination of two of them. While “Rudra” stands for Lord Shiva, the latter means the eyes. Botanically it is known as “Eleocarpus Sphaericus” and in English as “Ultrasum bead tree”.

The height of the tree is around 15-20 metres. Amongst 123 known species of the plant, around 25 of them are found in Bengal and Assam of India, Nepal and Bhutan. It is said that Nepal and Burma (Myanmar) are the two largest exporters of the Rudrakshya. The Tree has a similar appearance to that of the mango tree with branches branching out in all directions. In a Rudrakshya fruit (bead), there are lines which are also called ‘faces’ that range from one to as many as fourteen. A particular number of lines carry a particular significance. Going by the “Shiva Puran”, it is said that after the humiliating defeat of the gods in the battle against the great Evil (Tripura Sur), Lord Shiva kept his eyes wide open for thousands of years in sorrow. In this process, due to the pain caused by having his eyes kept open for such a long time, tears began to drop from his eyes and began to flow in all directions, in all parts of the earth. And in those very parts, which were drenched by the tears, the plant Rudrakshya came into existence.

In Hindu mythology, there is a widespread belief that by wearing a garland made from Rudrakshya beads, one can gain eternal happiness. Usually it is regarded auspicious to wear them on certain occasions like Sakranti, full moons and new moons. On such occasions, when one is wearing a Rudrakshya garland, it is completely prohibited from taking alcohol along with meat and certain other vegetables like onions and garlic.

The different number of lines commonly known as “Mukha” (Face) in Nepali, has a particular significance of its own. Their significance goes as follows:

If you Wear “Ek Mukhe” (one faced) which is very rare to find, it brings you all prosperity while “Dui Mukhe” (two faced) helps you to gain tantric powers. Go for the “Teen Mukhe” (three faced) if you want luck to be on your side whilst if you want to have a strong desire towards the opposite sex wear a “Char Mukhe” (four faced). To achieve salvation wear a “Paanch Mukhe” (five faced) and if you want your business to succeed there’s the “Cha Mukhe” (six faced). “Saat Mukhe” (seven faced) makes you immune from attack by any weapon; “Aath Mukhe” (eight faced) brings a good fortune in venture of chances and if you want to subdue the anger of your enemy, wear the “Nav Mukhe” (nine faced). To win over your enemies, wear the one with “Dus Mukh” (ten faced) and if you really want to come out as a winner in all your ventures there’s the “Eghar Mukhe” (eleven faced). Then there’s the “Bhara Mukhe” (twelve faced) if you really want to feel the energy of the sun and get rid of all physical pains. If you have a strong desire to have a child which you haven’t been able to have so far, wear the “Thera Mukhe” (thirdteen faced). Finally wear the “Chaudha Mukhe” and be safe from all sorts of problems that could be anything from either mental or physical.

These are the religious aspects of the Rudrakshya. Even as we have entered into the new millennium, the plant still has not lost its significance for it has proved to be very useful in curing many diseases. People say that they have been able to overcome various diseases like Hysteria, Epilepsy, mental diseases as well as different sorts of Heart problems like blood pressure just by wearing it.