What is the Significance of Adorning Rudraksha When Performing Ritualistic Worship

7/30/2019 What is the Significance of Adorning Rudraksha When Performing Ritualistic Worship

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What is the significance of adorning rudraksha

when performing ritualistic worship?

By : mandar

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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

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 Gayatrimantra. One who has not

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completed the purashcharanof the Gayatrimantramay 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 mantrassuch as Sadyojat, etc.

It should be consecrated with mantras

such as Agniritya, etc. - 200

Uttering mantrassuch as Manastoken etc. the holy ash

should be rubbed with the thumb,

Along with mantrassuch as the Tryambak

it should be applied to the forehead. - 201

Chanting the Tryayushe mantrait should be

applied to the forehead and arms,

Thus amidst chanting of the same mantrasthe holy ash

should be applied to different parts of the body. - 202

- Shri Gurucharitra, Adhyay29

2. Along with spiritual emotion (bhav)

One who does not know mantrasshould

apply it with pure spiritual emotion.

If one uses it wholeheartedly, its glory is great !

- Shri Gurucharitra29:218

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1.4 Tripundra

Tripundrarefers 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 (yadnyaand hom), ritualistic worship (puja) and

Vaishvadev. The ritual of application of holy ash is in the Brahmakarmasection 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 legsamidst chanting of mantrassuch as Om agniriti bhasma, Vayuriti bhasma(

,

) 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 Gurucharitra29:204

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 Sushumnachannel (

nadi).]

The tripundrashould 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)

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The stripes

Upper Middle Lower

Letter a () u () m ()

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 TamaVeda Rugveda Yajurveda Samaveda

Energy Energy of

Action

Energy of

Volition

Energy of

Knowledge

Period of the

day

Morning Afternoon Evening

Deity Mahadev Maheshvar Shiva

Tripundrameans spiritual knowledge, purity and penance (spiritual practice of Yoga), so also the three eyes

of Lord Shiva.

According to Vasudevopanishad, tripundrarepresents 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

Nathand Vamsects and Kapaliksuse rudrakshas.

2.1 Origin and meaning of the word rudraksha

The word rudraksha () is derived from two words rudra() and

aksha(). The various meanings of the word rudraare given in point Rudra. Considering someof the meanings of the word akshathe meanings of the word rudrakshaare given below -

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Aksha means the eye. Rudra and akshameans the one who is capable of viewing and doing everything (e.g.

the third eye) is Rudra. Akshameans axis. Since the eye rotates about in only one axis (aksha) it too is called

aksha.

Rudrameans one who weeps. A () means to take and ksha () means to give. Hence aksha() means the potential to receive or give. Rudrakshais 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 rudrakshatree 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 yatisin the Himalayas survive only on these fruits. These fruits are alsocalled 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 rudrakshasolitarily, several small rudrakshasare strung together along with a large

one. A rudrakshahas 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 rudrakshais 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 rudrakshaconverts 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.

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The rudraksha absorbs sama(sattva) frequencies. Similarly samafrequencies are emitted by its crests. A

real rudrakshacan be recognised by the vibrations felt by holding it in the hand. At that time the body absorbs

the samafrequencies 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 rudrakshais 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 rudrakshascan be used for chanting the Name of any deity.

Chanting done adorning a malaof rudrakshasis a thousand times more beneficial than chanting done

without wearing such a mala. Chanting done with a rudrakshamalais ten thousand times more beneficial

than chanting done with a rosary of any other kind. Hence Shaivitesbelieve that one cannot make mantras

efficacious rapidly and without chanting the mantra using or wearing a rudrakshamala.

Rudrakshasfacilitate 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 rudrakshatree; but its fruits and seeds are round. Its seeds, that is

bhadrakshasdo not have openings, that is no upper and lower parts. Use of bhadrakshasincreases

unfavourable (visham) frequencies. Generally bhadrakshaswere 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.

Vikrutakshais used for sacrificial fires of tantriks, black magic likejaranand maran, uchchatan, etc. by

sorcerers. A gypsy tribe from Nepal called the Gurangsfirst 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 rudrakshaA fake rudraksha

1. Form Flat like a fish Round

2. Colour (reddish) Fast Runs when

washed in

water

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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 needle5. 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 rudrakshasand 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 rudrakshaand the smaller the shaligram, the more ideal it is. - Merutantra

A rudrakshaobtained from a tree whose girth is beyond the span of ones arms, that is an old tree.

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A rudrakshaobtained from a rudrakshatree situated at a great height above sea level.

A rudrakshaobtained from the top branches of a tree.

Rudrakshasobtained 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. Rudrakshasof an inferior quality in the ascending order are crimson,

yellow or black in colour. Generally white and yellow rudrakshasare uncommon while red and black ones are

common.

2.7 Practical suggestions for its use

A. Making the rudrakshaefficacious: First consecrate the rudrakshaby sprinkling it with water five to

sixty-one times amidst chanting of an efficacious mantra. Then the rudrakshamay be touched to a

consecrated linga. Without touching ajyotirlingaor in specific difficult situations, a consecrated linga(pindior

shalunka), a rudrakshacannot 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 mantraof that opening should be chanted 21, 42 or 102 times and chanting the mrutyunjay

or aghormantrathe rudrakshashould be consecrated (rudrabhishek). Following this the rudrakshais

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 rudrakshais said to be an efficacious (siddha) one.

B. Maintaining the efficacy of a rudraksha: Maintaining the efficacy of an efficacious rudrakshaafter

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 Shivas lingaor a rudrakshais 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 rudrakshait is customary to choose an

auspicious time. Before this an individual who has activated the energy in the mantraapplies holy ash and

chanting mantrasof Shiva makes a resolve (sankalpa) and ties the rudrakshato the seeker. Then the one

who knows the efficacious mantraadvises the seeker to chant the Shiva mantra.

D. Site where a rudrakshais to be worn depending upon the number of its openings: This is decided

by the ability of the rudrakshato absorb energy, the ability of various organs to tolerate that energy, the

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deities of those organs as well as the objective of using the rudraksha.

Number of

openingsSite Objective

1 Wearing a gold or silver

ring on the appropriate

finger depending on

ones

motive and according to

astrology, so that the

rudrakshamakes

contact

with the skin

4, 6, 9 Right arm

(Variant) 4 Tuft of hair on the crown

of

the head (shendi)

(Variant) 9 Left arm5, 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 1100rudrakshas. The greater the number the more is the benefit. One wearing a rudrakshais 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 rudrakshasand sites in the body: This depends upon the ability of the organs in the body, to

absorb and endure the energy of the rudrakshaand their deities.

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1. The one who wears a thousand rudrakshasas 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 theneck. 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 rudrakshasis

great. One should wear a rudraksha as and when one gets it. - 19

- Shri Gurucharitra, Adhyay33.

* 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 thewaist

Responsibility for others orthe brunt of sins

The number of rudrakshasin thejapamala(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)

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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 rudrakshashould 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 rudrakshais kept facing him. As a result, the frequencies emitted from the rudrakshatrap the

individual opposite it.

2. As a remedy during illness: To cite an example how a rudrakshacan be used in various ways to control

blood pressure is given below.

Water should be poured over a rudrakshaand then that water should be consumed.

The rudrakshashould be tied around the neck or on the waist above the navel at the site of the samanvital

energy.

Bathing for twenty-one days wearing a rudrakshaaround 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 rudrakshais 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 rudrakshafor a few days and then removes it. Evenafter the death of this person the one who keeps his ashes is benefitted.

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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 rudrakshasthat it yields.

Openings

Deity BenefitUses in an

illness

1 Shiva Cleansing of all sins including

killing Brahmans, materialsuccess, Liberation (Mukti),

the supernatural power of

speech, oratory (winning over

an audience), victory over an

energy, etc.

Thrombosis,

urinarystones, 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 andacquisition of wealth,

cleansing

of sins arising from killing

living

beings

Diseases of theear,

throat and the

hastijivhanadi

(channel).

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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

chakras6 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,

becomingrid 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 vitalenergies.

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 robbersand

fire, happiness

Disorders of the

eye,

base of the nose,

the

jyotishmati

(seventh)

chakra.

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13. Indra Supernatural powers,

acquisition

of progeny, happiness,

elimination of sins, decrease

in

sexual desire, and increase in

nadibandhaand faith

Psychiatric

illnesses

14. Hanuman Cleansing of all sins,acquisition

of progeny, health

Increase insecretions

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

108frequencies.

17 The rudrakshasare 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

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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 themon

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 rudrakshahas one white and one blackish side.

** Available everywhere. A minimum of three are worn.

*** Rudrakshasstuck to one another. Such a rudrakshais not worn, but is worshipped.

2.8 The technique of using it

One side of a rudrakshahas crests (openings). Sama frequencies are emitted by them. Hence the opening of

a rudrakshashould face the left of the one wearing it. As a result, sattvafrequencies are expelled to his left

and the moon channel (Chandra nadi) is activated. This makes the persons temperament pleasing.

Reference: Shiva, published by Sanatan Sanstha.

What is the Significance of Adorning Rudraksha When Performing Ritualistic Worship

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