Rudraksha are the seeds of a tree that has been attributed special powers in India for thousands of years. The tree primarily grows in the Himalayas and on Java and is considered sacred in Hinduism. The seeds of the bluish fruits are traditionally used by yogis to make their mala beads and are regarded as particularly suitable aids on the spiritual path.
Rudraksha in ancient Indian texts
The name "Rudraksh" means "tears of Shiva" in German. (Rudra = name for Shiva, Aksha = eye). According to legend, Shiva wanted to restore the well-being of all living beings. He sank into deep meditation in the Himalayas for a thousand years. When he awoke from meditation, he opened his eyes and began to weep out of compassion. His tears fell to the ground beside him, and where they touched the earth, powerful trees grew. The fruits of this tree and their seeds are therefore called Rudraksha, the tears of Shiva.
Regarding meditation with Rudraksha, the Vedic texts say: By nourishing the root of a tree, all its branches are nourished. Similarly, when you please Shiva with a mala ritual, all other gods will also be pleased. By reciting the Shiva mantra ("Om namah shivaya") with complete attention and devotion, you will achieve joy in life and freedom from the troubles of the world.
Rudraksha necklaces in the modern world
Nowadays, necklaces made of Rudraksha are still very popular in India and Bali. They are considered a protection against negative energies and invigorate the nervous system due to their special surface structure. When you run your fingers over the beads, it feels like a little massage for the fingertips.
This is precisely why Rudraksha is particularly well-suited for meditation and is becoming increasingly popular among Western yogis. Many yogis also simply carry the necklaces with them to remind themselves of their yoga practice in everyday life and to harness the positive energy of the necklaces.
Image: @juliaeileensoul
Use of Rudraksha
Rudraksha beads are usually strung into a mala and worn around the neck or wrist. Traditionally, a mala has 108 + 1 beads. The extra bead is called "Bindu" or "Guru bead." A mala should always have a Guru bead, as it helps to direct the energy out of the necklace again, so that it does not run cyclically. How to meditate properly with a mala, you can learn in this article.
Spiritual powers of the Rudraksha seeds
It is said that Rudrakshas have special energetic (electromagnetic) properties and that wearing them has a calming effect on the nervous system, as well as regulating blood pressure. They absorb the energy of their wearer and thus envelop them in a cocoon of their own energy. This can have several effects. For example, a Rudraksha mala is considered a shield against negative energies from other people. It is also said that wearing a mala makes you feel a little more at home everywhere. For people who are often on the go and sleep in unfamiliar places, this is a great support.
Above all, a Rudraksha mala is a companion on one's own spiritual path. Anyone who has ever tried to walk this path knows how difficult and full of obstacles it can be. A mala cannot walk the path for you, but it can support you a little with every step and help you focus on the essentials within you.
What are Mukhi?
Since Rudraksha grow completely naturally, there are various types of how they can look. No seed is exactly like another. The main feature for grouping different seeds is therefore the Mukhi, also called faces.
Rudraksha have fine lines that run straight from top to bottom. They divide the hard shell into several segments - and these segments are called Mukhi.
The number and position of the Mukhi influence the energy of the seeds. Each Mukhi number unfolds different effects, which can be further enhanced by corresponding mantras. Five-Mukhi beads (also called Panchmukhi) are suitable for all people - whether men, women, old or young. They represent general well-being and health. They have a calming effect and provide a certain alertness to the nervous system.
Other Mukhis (1,2,3,6,8,etc.) can have very specific effects and cause unwanted side effects. There are reports of people who left their entire family within 7 days of wearing a 1-Mukhi bead. There are no better or worse Mukhis - only those that fit you better or worse as a person. So if you want to wear a Rudraksha with a Mukhi number other than 5 for any reason, it is important that it is personally selected for you by an experienced teacher.
For this reason, we exclusively use 5-Mukhi beads in our necklaces, which we have manually checked and selected.
What you should definitely consider when using a Rudraksha mala
Traditionally, the production of malas was a sacred duty fulfilled by certain people over generations. These people naturally also earned their livelihood from the malas, but in principle, they saw it as a privilege to pass the malas on to others. Due to the steadily increasing demand (especially in India), more and more commercial traders are also selling Rudraksha malas. They often use seeds of inferior quality or even completely different seeds that look similar to Rudraksha.
Especially with rare beads, entire imitations are even carved, as rare collector beads can fetch several thousand euros. The imitations are often so good that only very sensitive people can perceive the difference. Visually, the difference is usually not discernible, and you must definitely have the beads in your hand. Therefore, it is very important to obtain Rudraksha only from trusted sources.
It is also important how the seeds are knotted into a mala necklace. The beads must be carefully and sensitively strung together so that no cracks form inside the beads. Furthermore, all beads should be arranged in the same direction to allow the energy to flow optimally.
We only use cotton threads for our malas because we believe that modern nylon cords ("pearl yarns") do not match the energy of the Rudraksha. Additionally, we tie a knot after each individual bead so that the necklace sits better in the hand during meditation.
Malas in our shop: