Set of Fifty 20mm Genuine Rudrashka Panchamukhi Five Faced Beads
Panchamukhi: These are five-faced Rudraksha which can be worn by anyone above 14 years of age. It helps cultivate inner freedom and purity.
Rudraksha (also called as Rudraksh) are dried seeds of a tree, which grows in select locations of South East Asia, botanically known as Elaeocarpus Ganitrus. It is also called “Tears of Shiva” and there are many legends connected to Lord Shiva that describe its origin. The word Rudraksha comes from "Rudra" (name of Shiva) and "Aksha" meaning tears.
What are the benefits of wearing a Rudraksha?
Rudrakshas (also called as Rudraksh) are very supportive in maintaining physical and mental balance. For spiritual seekers, it supports to enhance one’s spiritual growth. It’s curative properties have been utilized worldwide for a number of physical, mental and psychosomatic illnesses.
Who can wear Rudraksha?
Anyone, irrespective of gender, cultural, ethnic, geographical or religious background can wear Rudraksha. People under the age of 14 should only wear the Shanmukhi (6-faced) Rudraksha.
How often should I condition my Rudraksha?
Conditioning of Rudrakshas should be done every six months. To condition Rudraksha mala or beads, immerse them in ghee (clarified butter) for 24 hours and then soak them in full-fat milk for an additional 24 hours. Wash it water and wipe the beads with a clean cloth. Do not wash them with soap or any cleaning material.
When can I wear Rudraksha Mala?
The mala can be worn all the time. You can even wear it when you sleep or shower. If you take cold water baths and are not using any chemical soap, it is especially good for the water to flow over it and upon your body. But if you are using chemical soaps and warm water, it becomes brittle and will crack after sometime, so it is best to avoid wearing it at such times.
Can I share my Rudraksha with someone else?
No, you should not share your Rudraksha with anyone else, since the Rudraksha adapts to the wearer.
How should I store my Rudraksha if I take it off during Hatha Yoga practices?
It’s best to store Rudraksha in a silk cloth or in a copper vessel. Remember, copper can oxidize milk products so you should not use a copper vessel while conditioning the Rudraksha.
Rudraksha have a certain quality by nature, so it is important to wear them on the body in a way that treats the Rudraksha with respect and care. Rudraksha should not be worn like jewelry and kept aside later. When a person decides to wear a Rudraksha, it should become like a part of them.
If someone decides not to wear their Rudraksha for an extended period of time, it should be kept in a silk cloth, preferably in a pooja room.
There are certain situations that are not conducive for Rudraksha. For example, if Rudraksha are kept on a cement floor for a full 48-day mandala or longer, it should not be used. Conditioning will not help in reversing this process. A Rudraksha in this state should be buried in the soil, if possible, or offered to a body of water, like a river or a well.
Does conditioning Rudraksha “re-energize” them? Or is it only to protect against brittleness/cracking?
Conditioning is meant to help prolong the lifespan of Rudraksha by preventing them from becoming brittle and cracking. Being immersed in ghee and milk every 6 months, and sesame oil every 1 to 2 years, is beneficial for the integrity of the Rudraksha. Conditioning does not “re-energize” Rudraksha. Rudraksha beads are of a certain quality by nature alone.
After conditioning, Rudraksha feels oily with a slight smell; can anything be done for this?
After conditioning Rudraksha, it may be slightly slippery and may smell of ghee and milk. Rudraksha can be covered with vibhuti as the final conditioning step to aid in removing any excess oil. To do so, take some vibhuti in your palm and gently roll the Rudraksha in it. Rudraksha should not be washed with water or soap before doing this. Vibhuti should be applied to the Rudraksha directly after removing it from the milk.
Once you have conditioned Rudraksha for 24 hours in ghee, the ghee can be used as plant food, as oil in a lamp, or can be saved for the next time you condition Rudraksha. The leftover ghee should not be consumed or used in cooking.
When conditioning a new Rudraksha, there is sometimes a yellow leakage coming from the beads - is this normal?
The first time a Rudraksha is conditioned after purchasing, there may be some leakage from the beads. The color can vary but is usually yellow or black. This is due to a protective process where mud is used to cover the Rudraksha after receiving it from the growers. When mud is applied to Rudraksha, it ensures the seed is maintained in its original condition, exactly how it was when it came from the tree. The differences in color depend on where the mud originated.
Are Rudraksha seeds supposed to get darker in colour the longer I wear them? Why does this happen?
Rudraksha tend to become darker with time because of the substances it absorbs; this will be a combination of the ghee, milk, and sesame oil used for periodic conditioning, as well as your natural body oil and sweat. This is a natural process; it does not have to do with sadhana or yogic practices.
When wearing Rudraksha, silk thread is the best natural option to use due to its quality and strength. Thin gold or silver chains can also be used if malas are threaded with utmost care to ensure no seeds are cracked or harmed in the process.
Are there any obvious ways to spot fake Rudraksha?
Traditionally, malas were always dealt with by people who held it as a sacred duty in their lives. For generations, they did only this. They also made their living out of it, but fundamentally it was like a sacred duty of offering it to people. But once the demand became too much, commerce came in. Today in India, there is another seed called badraksh which is a poisonous seed, which grows extensively in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and that area. To look at, both these seeds look the same. You cannot make out the difference. Only if you take it in your hand and if you are sensitive, you will know the difference. This should not be worn on the body, but these are being sold as authentic beads in many places. So it is important that you get your mala from a trusted source.
