• Introduction to and origin of Rudraksha. It refers to various Puranas. Today Rudraksha is being recommended for health issues. See links at end of article.

Rudraksha literally means “the tears of Shiva”. Somewhere it has  been presented as rudra=shiva and aksha= eyes. Hence, it can be said as eyes of Shiva too.

In our physical world, Rudraksha are dried seeds of a tree, which  grows in selected locations of South East Asia, botanically known as  Elaeocarpus Ganitrus.

Origin of rudraksha has been mentioned in Shiva Purana, according to which, Lord Siva, the master of Yoga, was meditating for thousands of years for the benefit of people. When Siva opened his eyes, some tear-drops fell on the earth and grew into Rudraksha trees.

According to another parallel story, rudraksha is related to Shiv’s killing Tripurasura, who sought to destroy the Universe and whom all the Devas, Brahma and Vishnu failed to control. Maha Deva concentrated with His eyes wide open for several years together to create a very highly potent weapon by name ‘Aghora’ with which to annihilate the Demon and in the process trickled tears which produced a stream from where sprang a Rudraksha Tree.

Rudraksha Tree. 

The Rudraksha Seeds are of thirty eight varieties.

From Lord Shiva’s right eye, which signifies the ‘Surya Netra’ (Sun God), emerged the Trees that yielded twelve kinds of yellow colour seeds; and from His left eye, which signifies ‘Soma Netra’ (Moon) came sixteen varieties of white coloured beads, and from the Lord's third eye on His forhead representing ‘Agni Netra’ (Fire) came ten varieties of black colour.

According to Shiv Purana, chapter 25,

दर्शनात्स्पर्शनाज्जप्यात्सर्वपापहर: स्मृतः ॥2॥

Meaning - Rudraksha is an extremely auspicious bead and is extremely dear to Lord Shiva. By its mere sight or by preforming japam with the same, or using it as rosary, all sins get destroyed.

रुद्राक्षधारणं प्रोक्त पापनाशनहेतवे ।

तस्माश्च धारणीयो वै सर्वार्थसाधनो ध्रुवं ॥19॥

Rudraksha has been prescribed for the removal of sins. Therefore, one should wear this Rudraksha which fulfils all desires.

According to this shloka from Shiv-Purana, Rudraksha is like a "Yajnopavita".

त्रिभि: शतै: षष्टियुक्ततैस्त्रिरावृत्या तथा पुनः ।

रुद्राक्षैरूपवीतं च निर्मियाद्भक्तितत्पर:॥27॥

A devotee should wear three strings of three hundred and sixty Rudraksha beads like a “Yajnopavita.”

रुद्राक्षेण जपन्मत्रं पुण्यं कोटिगुणं भवेत् ।

दशकोटिगुणं पुण्यं धारणाल्लभते नर: ॥58॥

The performing of “Japam” by the rosary of Rudrakasha beads, multiplies the reward crores of times.

The importance of Rudraksha is also highlighted in the Linga Purana which states that Shiva does not accept Puja of those devotees who do not wear the Rudrakshas.

Beeds. 

In Padma Purana it is mentioned that, A man becomes equal to me (shiva) by wearing rudraksha.

Based on what I’ve studied till now, I got to know about 21 kind of rudraksha, (based on number of faces).

According to Sadhguru a rudraksha is capable of differentiating eatable, non-eatables, pure, impure water by showing different kind of motion. 

Today, many doctors are recommending it for different health issues. It is still a subject of research. But few research papers has already been published by Indians.

One of the best known research papers was published by Dr. Suhas Roy of the Indian Institute of Technology in Banaras, India. Dr. Roy's research confirmed that the healing powers of Rudraksha beads flow from their electro-magnetic properties.  When Rudraksha beads are placed over the heart, they act to stabilize the heartbeat.

It make sense as it is said that the reason for most illnesses is impure blood circulation which is a result of blockages in the passage of arteries and veins which carry blood to and from the heart to all parts of the body. 

Now days, Magnets are extremely popular for purpose of healing diseases. When magnets are brought in contact with the affected area it opens up or expands only those sections of veins and arteries where the polarity matches because of which complete healing is not possible.

Though Rudraksha Beads retains most of the properties of magnets, but it also has the ability to change its polarity which can be termed as Diagagnetism, the ability of any material to acquire temporary magnetic property in the presence of an external magnetic field. 

In other words, it has the property of dynamic polarity as a result of which it acquires a polarity that is opposite of the inducing magnetic field created by heartbeats and blood circulation. This opens up the passages of arteries and veins and facilitates a better healing and rejuvenation experience than magnets.

Note - Everyone cannot wears every kind of rudraksha, as it has destructive abilities too. Only 5 Mukhi rudraksha can be worn by everyone (according to Sadhguru). Other can only be worn after taking the expert advice.”

Author is a social media activist with a character name हठयोगी. He has been doing research on our ancient scriptures for the last six years and posts about Hinduism, science, history and current affairs. You can follow him on social media (Twitter, facebook, Instagram, squeaks) at @hathyogi31 or visit his YouTube channel with a name ‘Hathyogi speaks’.

Also read

1. Rudraksha power

2. Research on Rudraksha

3. The Rudraksha GUIDE by Isha Foundation

4. Benefits of wearing Rudraksha – 10.46 minute video by Sadhguru