What is the significance of adorning rudraksha when performing ritualistic worship?

Contents

• 1. Application of holy ash (bhasma)
  • 1.1 The ritual of creating holy ash
  • 1.2 What is used as holy ash?
  • 1.3 Where should holy ash be applied?
  • 1.4 Tripundra
• 2. Adorning rudrakshas
  • 2.1 Origin and meaning of the word rudraksha
  • 2.2 The rudra (rudhir) tree
  • 2.3 The rudraksha
  • 2.4 Special features
  • 2.5 Fake rudrakshas
  • 2.6 An ideal rudraksha
  • 2.7 Practical suggestions for its use
  • 2.8 The technique of using it

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‘Along with Shiva all the deities of His retinue are simple and are easily satisfied. They do not require a temple as a residence. They can live atop a mountain, beneath a tree, on a pimpal tree or anywhere else peacefully. They also do not aspire for an offering of food (mahanaivedya). Offering a coconut is sufficient to appease them.’

Preparing for the ritualistic worship

1. Application of holy ash (bhasma)

One should not commence the ritualistic worship of Lord Shiva without application of holy ash (bhasma). More information on holy ash is provided in point ‘Holy ash (bhasma)’.

1.1 The ritual of creating holy ash

‘Pure holy ash is that which is produced from a cake of cowdung collected before falling to the ground. [The importance of cowdung is given in ‘Science of Spirituality : Vol. 5 - Path of Devotion (Bhaktiyoga)’.] This holy ash is fit for application only after it is consecrated with the efficacious Gayatri mantra. One who has not completed the purashcharan of the Gayatri mantra may purify the ash by chanting any other efficacious Shivamantra.’

1.2 What is used as holy ash?

• Cowdung is burnt to prepare holy ash. This is mostly used as the average person is unable to tolerate human ash.
  
• Earth from the site of an ancient sacrificial fire (yadnya).
  
• Holy ash from a mountain at Gangapur.
  
• Human ash: This is used by sorcerers (tantriks).
  

1.3 Where should holy ash be applied?

• 1. Along with a mantra
  

  Holy ash should be placed on the palm along with
  the chanting of mantras such as ‘Sadyojat’, etc.
  It should be consecrated with mantras
  such as ‘Agniritya, etc. - 200
  Uttering mantras such as ‘Manastoken’ etc. the holy ash
  should be rubbed with the thumb,
  Along with mantras such as the ‘Tryambak’
  it should be applied to the forehead. - 201
  Chanting the ‘Tryayushe’ mantra it should be
  applied to the forehead and arms,
  Thus amidst chanting of the same mantras the holy ash
  should be applied to different parts of the body. - 202
  

  - Shri Gurucharitra, Adhyay 29
• 2. Along with spiritual emotion (bhav)
  

  One who does not know mantras should
  apply it with pure spiritual emotion.
  If one uses it wholeheartedly, its glory is great !
  

  - Shri Gurucharitra 29:218

1.4 Tripundra

Tripundra refers to the three horizontal stripes of holy ash.

A. How should they be applied ?

Brahmans (priests) should smear their bodies with holy ash before commencement of various rituals such as rites for departed souls (shraddhas), sacrificial fires (yadnya and hom), ritualistic worship (puja) and Vaishvadev. The ritual of application of holy ash is in the Brahmakarma section of the Rugveda. It can be summarised as - after sipping water from the palm (achman) and performing pranayam, soak some holy ash on the palm of the left hand. Then using the second, middle and ring fingers of the right hand smear it across the forehead horizontally, apply it to the face, chest, neck, arms, sides of the abdomen, sex organs and legs amidst chanting of mantras such as ‘Om agniriti bhasma, Vayuriti bhasma (ॐ अग्‍निरिति भस्‍म, वायुरिति भस्‍म)’ etc. After applying all over the body chant the Name of Shiva thrice.

First using the middle and ring fingers
it should be applied to the forehead.
Then with the thumb, the middle line
should be drawn in the reverse direction.

- Shri Gurucharitra 29:204

Meaning: First the upper and lower stripes should be drawn from left to right using the middle and ring fingers. Then the middle stripe should be drawn from right to left using the thumb. [Since the stripes are drawn in both directions instead of the right or left channel, it facilitates activation of the Sushumna channel (nadi).]

The tripundra should be shaped like eyebrows. Often a dot of holy ash is applied in the middle of these three stripes.

B. Implied meaning of the three stripes

• According to Shri Gurucharitra (29:205-211)
  

  	The stripes
  	Upper	Middle	Lower
  Letter	a (अ)	u (उ)	m (म)
  Fire	Garhapatya	Dakshinagni	Ahavaniya
  Region (lok)	Earth (bhu)	Nether (bhuva)	Dyu (heaven)
  Form of The Supreme God	The soul	The inner soul	The Supreme Soul
  Component	Raja	Sattva	Tama
  Veda	Rugveda	Yajurveda	Samaveda
  Energy	Energy of Action	Energy of Volition	Energy of Knowledge
  Period of the day	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
  Deity	Mahadev	Maheshvar	Shiva

• Tripundra means spiritual knowledge, purity and penance (spiritual practice of Yoga), so also the three eyes of Lord Shiva.
  
• According to Vasudevopanishad, tripundra represents the trinity (trimurti), the three mystic words uttered during the ritual of sandhya (vyahyati)and the three rhythms (chandas).
  
• According to astrology the three stripes from below upwards represent the planets Guru (Jupiter), Shani (Saturn) and Ravi (Sun) respectively.
  

C. Who should apply it ?: All that is celibates, householders, retired householders and renunciants should apply it. People from all the four classes (varnas) have a right to apply it.

D. Benefits: Holy ash is useful for cleansing any kind of sin.

2. Adorning rudrakshas

Adorning a rudraksha mala (rosary) when performing ritualistic worship is ideal. Especially followers of the Nath and Vam sects and Kapaliks use rudrakshas.

2.1 Origin and meaning of the word rudraksha

The word rudraksha (रुद्राक्ष) is derived from two words rudra (रुद्र) and aksha (अक्ष). The various meanings of the word rudra are given in point ‘Rudra’. Considering some of the meanings of the word aksha the meanings of the word rudraksha are given below -

• Aksha means the eye. Rudra and aksha means the one who is capable of viewing and doing everything (e.g. the third eye) is Rudra. Aksha means axis. Since the eye rotates about in only one axis (aksha) it too is called aksha.
  
• Rudra means one who weeps. A (अ) means to take and ksha (क्ष) means to give. Hence aksha (अक्ष) means the potential to receive or give. Rudraksha is the one who has the potential to wipe off tears and endow one with happiness.
  

2.2 The rudra (rudhir) tree

This is found at a height of three thousand metres above or below sea level. The rudraksha tree grows in crevices, not on plain ground. Its leaves resemble those of tamarind or nux vomica but are longer. Annually it yields one to two thousand fruits. The yatis in the Himalayas survive only on these fruits. These fruits are also called fruits of nectar (amrutphal). If eaten, they curb thirst.

2.3 The rudraksha

Its fruits ripen on the tree and fall during winter. Then the seeds in it dry up. Each fruit has fifteen to sixteen seeds (that is rudrakshas). The more the number of seeds, the smaller is their size and the less is their cost. Instead of using a small rudraksha solitarily, several small rudrakshas are strung together along with a large one. A rudraksha has a natural opening from one side to the other. It need not be created. This opening throughout its length is called a vahini (channel). A rudraksha is reddish in colour with yellow stripes and is flat like a fish. On one side it has an open mouth.

2.4 Special features

• The rudraksha converts light frequencies of deities from the universe into sound frequencies in the body of man and vice versa. As a result, man can absorb frequencies of deities and human thoughts can get converted into the language of deities.
  
• The rudraksha absorbs sama (sattva) frequencies. Similarly sama frequencies are emitted by its crests. A real rudraksha can be recognised by the vibrations felt by holding it in the hand. At that time the body absorbs the sama frequencies emitted by the rudraksha. If a rudraksha is held between the thumb and ring finger, vibrations are felt anywhere in the body. Even if kept nearby the effect of a rudraksha is felt for upto half an hour. Thus during that period one is able to perceive vibrations even if any other object is held with the fingers. However if the hands are washed with water then they are not perceived.
  
• A mala (rosary) of rudrakshas can be used for chanting the Name of any deity.
  
• Chanting done adorning a mala of rudrakshas is a thousand times more beneficial than chanting done without wearing such a mala. Chanting done with a rudraksha mala is ten thousand times more beneficial than chanting done with a rosary of any other kind. Hence Shaivites believe that one cannot make mantras efficacious rapidly and without chanting the mantra using or wearing a rudraksha mala.
  
• Rudrakshas facilitate the activation of spiritual energy (kundalini) and the occurrence of keval kumbhak (automatic breath holding) in pranayam.
  

2.5 Fake rudrakshas

• A. Bhadraksha: Its tree resembles a rudraksha tree; but its fruits and seeds are round. Its seeds, that is bhadrakshas do not have openings, that is no upper and lower parts. Use of bhadrakshas increases unfavourable (visham) frequencies. Generally bhadrakshas were sold as rudrakshas. Birds do not eat its fruits and if they do, they perish.
  
• B. Vikrutaksha: Nowadays mostly this itself is sold as a rudraksha. This is the seed of a type of wild berry. Vikrutaksha is used for sacrificial fires of tantriks, black magic like jaran and maran, uchchatan, etc. by sorcerers. A gypsy tribe from Nepal called the Gurangs first began using the vikrutaksha. An opening is made in the seed with a hot needle. Similarly figures like Om, svastik, a conch, a wheel, etc. are carved on it. It is dyed by immersing in water containing catechu. That is why its colour runs when it is kept in water.
  
• C. Artificial rudrakshas: These are made from sealing wax, wood, plastic, etc.
  
• D. Differences between real and fake rudrakshas
  

  	A real rudraksha	A fake rudraksha
  1. Form	Flat like a fish	Round
  2. Colour (reddish)	Fast	Runs when washed in water
  3. If thrown in water	Sinks immediately	Either floats or sinks gradually with wavy movements
  4. An opening thoughout     its length	Present	Has to be made with a needle
  5. Rotation about itself     when hung in a copper     vessel or in water.	Occurs	Does not occur
  6. Eaten away by     termites after     sometime.	No	Yes
  7. Cost of each (in the     year 1997)	Rs 4,000 - 40,000	Rs 20 - 200
  8. Which frequencies     does it absorb?	Sama (Sattva)	-
  9. Perception of     frequencies	Are felt	Are not felt

• E. Fake rudrakshas and saints: Externally even if saints give a ‘fake’ rudraksha, with the divine consciousness (chaitanya) of the former, from within it gets converted into a ‘real’ one.
  

2.6 An ideal rudraksha

Features

• Heavy and radiant
  
• With distinct openings
  
• One adorned with auspicious symbols such as a Shivalinga, a svastik, etc.
  
• ‘The bigger the rudraksha and the smaller the shaligram, the more ideal it is.’ - Merutantra
  
• A rudraksha obtained from a tree whose girth is beyond the span of one’s arms, that is an old tree.
  
• A rudraksha obtained from a rudraksha tree situated at a great height above sea level.
  
• A rudraksha obtained from the top branches of a tree.
  Rudrakshas obtained from trees at a great height are more efficacious since they receive the sattva component coming from above in greater quantities. [Refer ‘Science of Spirituality: Vol. 7 - Supreme God, God, Incarnations and Deities, point - Guardian deities of the territory (Kshetrapaldevata)’.]
  
• The white coloured one is the best. Rudrakshas of an inferior quality in the ascending order are crimson, yellow or black in colour. Generally white and yellow rudrakshas are uncommon while red and black ones are common.
  

2.7 Practical suggestions for its use

A. Making the rudraksha efficacious: ‘First consecrate the rudraksha by sprinkling it with water five to sixty-one times amidst chanting of an efficacious mantra. Then the rudraksha may be touched to a consecrated linga. Without touching a jyotirlinga or in specific difficult situations, a consecrated linga (pindi or shalunka), a rudraksha cannot be charged with energy significantly. Thereafter choosing an auspicious moment (muhurt) for instance, Mahashivratra, Amrutsiddhi, etc. depending on the opening of the rudraksha the corresponding mantra of that opening should be chanted 21, 42 or 102 times and chanting the mrutyunjay or aghor mantra the rudraksha should be consecrated (rudrabhishek). Following this the rudraksha is consecrated either with the Shiva principle or depending on the opening, with the female deity [Divine Energy (Shakti)]. (Refer point ‘2.7 G’.) Such a rudraksha is said to be an “efficacious (siddha) one”.

B. Maintaining the efficacy of a rudraksha: Maintaining the efficacy of an efficacious rudraksha after adorning it, is important. To maintain it, it is necessary to observe the rules given below.

• Application of holy ash: refer point ‘Application of holy ash (bhasma)’.
  
• Ritualistic worship of the Shivalinga: Ritualistic worship of Shiva’s linga or a rudraksha is important. No other person should be allowed to touch such efficacious rudrakshas. If someone touches it accidentally, then it should be purified with urine of a cow or holy water from a place of pilgrimage.
  
• Rememberance of Lord Shiva: After awaking and before going to bed one should remember Lord Shiva.
  

C. Ritual of adorning a rudraksha: Even to wear an efficacious rudraksha it is customary to choose an auspicious time. Before this an individual who has activated the energy in the mantra applies holy ash and chanting mantras of Shiva makes a resolve (sankalpa) and ties the rudraksha to the seeker. Then the one who knows the efficacious mantra advises the seeker to chant the Shiva mantra.

D. Site where a rudraksha is to be worn depending upon the number of its openings: This is decided by the ability of the rudraksha to absorb energy, the ability of various organs to tolerate that energy, the deities of those organs as well as the objective of using the rudraksha.

Number of openings	Site	Objective
1	Wearing a gold or silver ring on the appropriate finger depending on one’s motive and according to astrology, so that the rudraksha makes contact with the skin
4, 6, 9	Right arm
(Variant) 4	Tuft of hair on the crown of the head (shendi)
(Variant) 9	Left arm
5, 7, 10, 12, 13	Throat
	Tuft of hair on the crown of the head	Cure of illnesses
	Ears	Grace of the Sun deity
	Neck	Cleansing one of the sins of slaying men and cows
11, 14	Tuft of hair on the crown of the head
(Variant) 14	Forehead

E. Number of rudrakshas: Various holy texts have prescribed the use of 108, 249, 1000 and 1100 rudrakshas. The greater the number the more is the benefit. One wearing a rudraksha is cleansed not only of his sins, but also acquires the ability to cleanse others’ sins.

All benefits are obtained by touching and looking at a rudraksha (darshan). Hence looking at it everyday and its contact with the body both are important.

• Number of rudrakshas and sites in the body: This depends upon the ability of the organs in the body, to absorb and endure the energy of the rudraksha and their deities.
  

  1.  The one who wears a thousand rudrakshas as a garland
       becomes like Lord Rudra Himself and is offered obeisance
       by all the deities. - 14
       If one is unable to tie a thousand then one may wear sixteen
       on both the arms, one on the tuft of hair on the head and
       twenty-four* on both the wrists. - 15
       Wear thirty-two on the neck, forty on the head and twelve
       on both the ears as an alternative. - 16
       A chain of a hundred and eight may be worn around the
       neck. Listen O seeker you will be like the son of Rudra by
       wearing them this way. - 17
       Pearls, corals, marble, silver, a kind of precious stone and
       gold may be worn in the chain of rudrakshas. - 18
       The benefit of this is immense, a chain of rudrakshas is
       great. One should wear a rudraksha as and when one gets it. - 19
  

  - Shri Gurucharitra, Adhyay 33.

       * 12 on each wrist
  

  2.
  

  Number of beads in the rosary (mala)	Site	Objective
  22	Around the head
  6	Ears
  27	Neck
  32	Neck (hanging upto level of the heart)
  15	Shoulder	Usually those gifted by saints are tied to the shoulder
  12	Wrist
  249	Waist	Specific penance
  1000, 1100	Around the waist	Responsibility for others or the brunt of sins

  
  
• The number of rudrakshas in the japamala (rosary) depending on the objective: This is decided by the science of numerology.
  

  Number of beads	Objective
  32	Wealth
  102	Merits
  104	Health and strength
  107	The Final Liberation (Moksha)
  108	Righteousness (Dharma), wealth, desire and the Final Liberation

F. Use of rudrakshas

1. For worldly benefits

• To fulfill impossible tasks: The opening of the rudraksha should be kept facing the right, that is southwards. This activates the sun channel (surya nadi) of the individual.
  
• Mohini kama [one out of the types of black magic from among the shatkarmas (six actions) including jaran-maran, etc.]: Here one has to control the frequencies of the individual facing oneself. Hence the opening of the rudraksha is kept facing him. As a result, the frequencies emitted from the rudraksha trap the individual opposite it.
  

2. As a remedy during illness: To cite an example how a rudraksha can be used in various ways to control blood pressure is given below.

• Water should be poured over a rudraksha and then that water should be consumed.
  
• The rudraksha should be tied around the neck or on the waist above the navel at the site of the saman vital energy.
  
• Bathing for twenty-one days wearing a rudraksha around the neck such that its opening faces the right. This is an excellent remedy for any kind of illness. However before that for sometime the opening of the rudraksha should be kept facing the left so as to gradually increase the ability of the patient to absorb frequencies.
  
• A rudraksha is placed with its opening facing the left under the pillow of a bedridden patient. Once the patient becomes ambulatory it is placed with its opening facing the right.
  
• One continues to get the benefit even if one adorns a rudraksha for a few days and then removes it. Even after the death of this person the one who keeps his ashes is benefitted.
  
• Partaking of the holy ash of a rudraksha.
  

G. The deities, benefits, special characteristics and uses in illnesses depending on the number of openings

Most people feel that the number of its openings is equivalent to the complete lines on it. However this is not so. The number of openings correspond to the number of distinct elevations on the openings. The older the tree the more are the openings in the rudrakshas that it yields.

Openings	Deity	Benefit	Uses in an illness
1	Shiva	Cleansing of all sins including killing Brahmans, material success, Liberation (Mukti), the supernatural power of speech, oratory (winning over an audience), victory over an energy, etc.	Thrombosis, urinary stones, respiratory diseases
2*	Shiva-Parvati (Ardhanari- nateshvar)	Cleansing of sins arising from killing cows	Diseases of the stomach, liver and urinary bladder.
3	Agni (deity of fire)	Benefits like the dakshinavart conch, splendour, hypnotising (Vashikaran), acquisition of knowledge, activation of kundalini (spiritual energy), cleansing of sins arising from slaying of Brahmans and women.	Remedy over the defects of the three humours vata (wind), pitta (bile) and kapha (phlegm), purification of channels (nadis).
4	Lord Brahma	Knowledge, happiness and acquisition of wealth, cleansing of sins arising from killing living beings	Diseases of the ear, throat and the hastijivha nadi (channel).
5**	Kalagni	Acquisition of Righteousness (Dharma), wealth, desire and the Final Liberation (Moksha); cleansing of sins created by eating the forbidden, adultery and sins acquired from birth, prevention of premature death	Diseases of the vertebral column, overcoming obstacles at the site of the Manipur and Anahat chakras
6	Ganesh	Cleansing of sins arising from killing human beings, knowledge and happiness, supernatural powers, overcoming a crisis.	Indigestion, arthritis
7.	Saptarushis / Saptamatrukas	Cleansing of sins accrued by stealing gold, success, money, fame	Purification of sperms, increase in semen, flow of oja (precursor of divine energy
8.	Batukbhairav	Cleansing sins arising from speaking falsely, longevity and Liberation after death.	Diseases of the nervous system, prostate and gall bladder
9.	(Nava) Durga / Bhairav	Cleansing of all sins, fame, happiness, progeny, becoming rid even of the fear of time	Diseases of the brain, epilepsy.
10.	Guardian deities of the ten directions (dashadikpal)/ Yamaraj	Elimination of suffering due to nine planets, spirits, Vetals, Brahmarakshasas, serpents, etc., protection from black magic, averting untimely death	Fear of an apparition (feeling that someone is standing beside one).
11.	The eleven Rudras	Acquisition of happiness, protection of husband, longevity, acquisition of wifehood, acquisition of son, victory	Excess of saman and pran vital energies.
12.	Vishnu, the twelve suns	Cleansing of sins arising from killing cows or man, stealing gold etc., eliminating unhappiness such as poverty, infertility, etc., absence of fear of robbers and fire, happiness	Disorders of the eye, base of the nose, the jyotishmati (seventh) chakra.
13.	Indra	Supernatural powers, acquisition of progeny, happiness, elimination of sins, decrease in sexual desire, and increase in nadibandha and faith	Psychiatric illnesses
14.	Hanuman	Cleansing of all sins, acquisition of progeny, health	Increase in secretions of the eighth (Vishnu) chakra
15***	Gouri-Shankar (Shiva-Parvati)	Happiness	Maintaining an even flow of 108 frequencies in the body into a facour- able manner.
16			Channelising the 360 disease causing frequ- encies in the body evenly and directing them towards the 108 frequencies.
17		The rudrakshas are tied to the waist. As a result, the saman vital energy is affected and it facilitates the attainment of the superconscious state (samadhi)
18		A fragrant odour facilitates one to enter the superconscious state
19		Facilitates one to travel along the path of zero stress nature
20		If one sits in a posture compres- sing the thighs then it facilitates movement towards the Karma region (lok)
21	Shiva	Male principle, adorning them on the head, around the waist, in the neck, under the thighs etc. Conversation with demigods (yakshas), celestial singers (gandharvas) and fairies. Contact with Lord Yama (deity of death).

* The rudraksha has one white and one blackish side.
** Available everywhere. A minimum of three are worn.
*** Rudrakshas stuck to one another. Such a rudraksha is not worn, but is worshipped.

2.8 The technique of using it

One side of a rudraksha has crests (openings). Sama frequencies are emitted by them. Hence the opening of a rudraksha should face the left of the one wearing it. As a result, sattva frequencies are expelled to his left and the moon channel (Chandra nadi) is activated. This makes the person’s temperament pleasing.

Reference: ‘Shiva’, published by Sanatan Sanstha.