Rudraksha – Tears of Shiva

The name "Rudrā" is one of 1008 names of the Hindu deity Shiva and the word "Akśa" means "tears" in Sanskrit. After 1000 years of meditation, tears began to fall from the eyes of Shiva in compassion for humanity, and the tears became the Rudraksha Tree.

The Rudrakśha Upaniśhat is one of the 108 scriptures of the Upanishad, and it says that even uttering the name itself – “Rudraksha” holds pranic and Karmic merit and wearing the beads is akin to wearing the sacred ash, Bhasma.

Types of Rudraksha :

1. 'Eka Mukhi’ symbolises Shiva and its Ruling Planet is Surya recommended to wear on Mondays for power, wealth and fame to ward off heart diseases and its Mantra is stated to be ‘Om Namah Shivaaya Om Hreem Namah’.

2. ‘Dwi Mukhi’ symbolises ‘Ardha Naare -eswara’ or Shiva and Parvati with Moon as the Ruling Planet recommended to wear on Mondays for mental peace and mystic powers and its Mantra is ‘Om Namah’.

3. ‘Tri Mukhi’ symbolises Agni and the Ruling Planet is Mars, recommended for wearing on Mondays for Physical Health, Knowledge and Divine Powers and its Mantra is: Om Kleem Namah/ Om Namah Shivaaya Namah.

4. ‘Chatur Mukhi’ Rudraksha symbolises Brahma and the Ruling Planet is Mercury best worn on Mondays for curing paralysis, nervous tension and mental diseases and its Mantra is : Om Hreem Namah.

5. ‘Pancha Mukhi’ symbolises Rudra and the Ruling Planet is Jupiter affecting Liver, Kidneys, diabetes and obesity, meant for elimination of enemies and the Mantra is: Om Hreem Namah- it is stated that apart from the wearing of Ekamukhi, Pancha Mukhi is also rated high for wearing.

6. ‘Shashtya Mukhi’ symbolises Kartikeya and the Ruling Planet is Venus (Shukra) meant for attaining Concentration, Confidence, Succcess and Family life and for the benefit for reproductive organs while the relevant Mantra is Om Hreem Hroom.

7. Maha Lakshmi symbolises the ‘Sapta Mukhi’ and the Ruling Planet is Saturn meant to cure muscular pain and impotence which is to be borne with red thread as the desired objectives are prosperity and well being and the relevant Mantra is Om Huum Namaha.

8. ‘Ashta Mukhi’ Rudraksha symbolises Ganesha and the Ruling Planet is Rahu aiming at concentration and business tactics normally preferred by Vaishyas and sought to set right lung disorder and skin problem and the Mantra is Om Ganeshaya Namhah.

9. ‘Nava Mukhi’ Rudraksha symbolises Durga and the Planetary Head is Kethu, bestowing courage, destruction of enemies and capacity to strike back and is meant for relief body pains and lung-bowel disoders, relevant Mantra being Om Hreem Hum Namah.

10. ‘Dasa Mukhi’Rudraksha worn on Sundays represents Maha Vishnu symbolising Ten Avataras, pacifying all the ill-effects of Nine Planets and destroying Evil Spirits like Piscachas, Goblins, Thieves etc.the relevant Mantra being Shri Narayaneya Shri Vaishnavey Namah.

11. Like the Eka Mukhi and the Pancha Mukhi, the Ekadasha Mukhi Rudraksha is also reckoned very potent and useful representing Ekadasha Rudras (also stated alternatively as symbolising Hanuman) bestowing knowledge, Yoga and devotion as also procecting neuro-physiology if worn on Mondays by reciting the Mantra viz. Om Shri Rudraaya Namah.

12. ‘Dwadasha Mukhi’ Rudraksha symbolising ‘Dwadasha Adityas’with Surya as the Ruling Planet bestows Kingships, Leadership, courage and self-confidence, granting excellent health and great success in Life.

13. Wearing the ‘Trayodasha Mukhi’ Rudraksha symbolising Indra and Kamadeva with Venus as the Ruling Planet provides unmistakable pleasures of life and even hypnotic powers.

14. ‘Chaturdasha Mukhi’ Rudraksha which is stated to be a rarity is of the class or standing of Eka Mukhi, Pancha Mukhi and Ekadasha Mukhi and represents Maha Deva Himself with Saturn as the Ruling Planet and providing the most contented Life in ‘Iham’(the Present) and ‘Param’ (After-Life) as it has to be worn by reciting the Mantra: Om Namah Sivaaya.

15. 'Panchadasha Mukhi' Rudraksh is also one of the rarest Rudrakshas. It has similar benefits as the 'Chaturdasha Mukhi Rudraksh' and additionally helps the wearer to gain wealth, increases visualizing power and helps in maintaining sharp focus.

16. 'Shashtyadasha Mukhi' Rudraksh is the rarest. It helps to heal kidney, intestine, low back pain and urinogenital system. This Rudraksh also helps to win over the legal cases to protect from all kinds of problems. It alleviates Swadisthan Chakra and stimulates it.

It is said that close contact of Rudrakshas with body parts like head, neck, heart, and hands protect the persons with medical values from depression, stress, diabetes, cancer, heart / blood related diseases.