Rudraksha beads and malas, or rosaries, have been worn since time immemorial by enlightened beings, buddhas, yogis, spiritual practitioners, and those on the devotional path.

The Rudraksha bead is a rare and precious holy seed used for spiritual practices such as meditation, mantra japa (repetition of a sacred luminous sound), pujas and fire ceremonies, as well as for their amazing health benefits, positive vibratory frequencies, and protective qualities.

The great Siddhas, Rishis, Saints and Sages, the Buddha, the Dalai Lama, Gandhi, and many enlightened yogis all wore Rudraksha malas for their incredible powers.

Rudraksha beads instill a peaceful and calm mind, enabling one to reach greater heights of clarity, understanding, and compassion.  Yogis around the world have found immense tranquility and concentration during their meditations and spiritual practices while wearing Rudraksha beads.

The Rudraksha bead is said to originally come from the tears of Lord Shiva, who is considered to represent our Supreme Self or Absolute Consciousness.   It is said that Lord Shiva had spent thousands of years in meditation for the benefit of all beings, and upon opening His eyes, tear drops rolled down and landed upon the earth taking birth as the sacred Rudraksha tree.

Hence, the Rudraksha tree and its seeds are considered holy and blessed, and their power bestows blessings on all those who are so fortunate to wear these sacred seeds.

The word Rudraksha comes from the root words, ‘Rudra’, which is another name for Lord Shiva, and ‘Aksha’ which can be defined as eyes. Thus, the name Rudraksha denotes those sacred seeds that came directly from the eyes of the great Lord Shiva – the Supreme Consciousness.

The root word ‘Aksha’ also refers to the letters or sacred sounds of the Sanskrit alphabet, and as such implies that each Rudraksha seed is associated with the sounds of the universe, as the Sanskrit alphabet is said to give birth to all such sounds of creation.

The ancient holy texts of the Vedas, Puranas, and Upanishads all speak about the power and significance of Rudraksha beads.

These holy scriptures describe the Rudraksha beads as blessing one with a peaceful and calm mind; protecting one against negative thoughts and events; protecting one against accidents and illness; and blessing one with happiness and liberation.

Each Rudraksha bead acts like a bio-energy generator, charging one’s energy field, chakras, kundalini energy, and the 108 sensitive nerve centers in the human brain.

The Rudraksha tree is a large broad-leaved evergreen tree with more than 360 species that grow in the tropical and subtropical regions of the earth. Rudraksha trees can be found in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tibet, Madagascar, Southern China, Japan, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea to Australia, New Zealand, Guam, New Caledonia, Fiji and Hawaii.

The Rudraksha beads found in malas and for spiritual purposes, which are commonly referred to as Rudraksha, are primarily the species Elaeocarpus ganitrus Roxb., and are mostly found in Nepal and Indonesia. Around 70% of these Rudraksha trees are found in Indonesia, 25% in Nepal and 5% in India.

The species of Rudraksha trees and beads found in the Himalayas (Nepal and Northern India) are said to hold the greatest power and strength, as they are fed by the holy lands and rivers of the Himalayas.

Rudraksha beads are known as medicinal magic, healing many of the mind & body ailments. They are known to have a direct effect on the central nervous system; inducing mental clarity, concentration, and memory, and balancing our various bodily systems (for example circulatory, digestive, endocrine, respiratory, reproductive, and lymphatic systems).

Rudraksha beads are said to create emotional and mental balance, heal diseases in the body, increase one’s immunity, energy and stamina, free one from negative thoughts and behavioral patterns, and rejuvenate the entire mind & body.

Rudraksha beads and malas have been worn since ancient times to cultivate mindful awareness, compassion, and Self-knowledge for the benefit of all beings.

Extensive scientific research has been conducted over the years by leading scientists in universities in India, and now also in the west. This research has shown that Rudraksha beads have certain electric and magnetic properties.

It was found that when Rudraksha beads were worn against the skin, and especially near the heart, it can balance the heart’s magnetic field, control its pulse rate, improve blood circulation, and purify one’s blood.

By wearing Rudraksha malas, we can absorb the content of oxygen, carbon and hydrogen within the beads into our own bodies, increasing our vitality.

Negative ion levels also increase by wearing Rudrakshas malas, thereby positively affecting our health, emotions and mind.

Rudraksha beads are also said to absorb and store solar energy, and thus releases and distributes this solar power into all parts of the body.

In this way, people have found an increase in energy, stamina, creativity, and positivity from simply wearing Rudraksha malas.

A typical Rudraksha mala or rosary is made with the auspicious number of 108+1 beads, although malas of 54+1 beads and 27+1 beads can also be found.

The +1 bead is called the Sumeru or The Guru Bead and it is not supposed to be crossed while practicing mantra japa and counting the beads during repetitions – it is considered as a boundary for returning in the reverse direction for further counting.

In this way, the Guru or Sumeru Bead is placed at the top when holding the mala and represents the Absolute Consciousness or the inner Guru. The Guru bead is not meant to be crossed during mantra japa or recitation, as it is a symbol of the Absolute or Supreme Consciousness, and out of respect, we never ‘step over it’ or cross it.

You can use your mala to wear on your body for protection, blessings, good fortune, health & well-being, and for spiritual evolution.  Many people where the Guru bead at the back of the neck, which is the highest position, to represent the Divine or the Guru as the highest state of awareness.

As well, you can place your Guru bead at the heart center in the gesture of keeping the inner Guru, or the highest awareness, in your heart center- the symbol of Love.

You can also choose to use your Rudraksha mala solely for meditation and spiritual practices, and keep your mala stored somewhere safe and sacred so that the energy can collect and build within the mala – heightening its use for spiritual practices.

When using your mala for Mantra Japa (repetition of a mantra), we hold the mala with our right hand only, and we can use our thumb, ring finger and middle finger to move from one bead to the next as though we are ‘guiding’ the beads towards us.

The index and little finger are considered as inauspicious for touching the mala when used for japa purposes.

Most Rudraksha malas – unless specifically made otherwise – use 5-faced or 5 Mukhi Rudraksha beads, which represent Shiva or the Absolute Consciousness. It has many benefits & properties.

The 5 Face Rudrakshas are said to be beneficial to heal the liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, breasts, sexual disorders, memory, bone, arthritis, ears, and regulates blood pressure, diabetes, and fat, and purifies the blood.  Overall, it is great for one’s health.

It is also said to promote respect, peace & prosperity, and rids one of fear and obstacles. Wearing Rudraksha malas can relieve the impact of negative karma from previous births that cause difficulties in one’s present life.

Rudraksha malas are particularly beneficial in one’s Spiritual path – connecting one to their True Nature; the Absolute Supreme Consciousness.