By Dr Roopa Patel
Rudraksha therapist Prabhat Kumar Srivastava explains the mystical ways in which these sacred beads work.
Legends say the Rudraksha beads are Lord Shiva’s eyes. The story goes that while in meditation, Shiva closed his eyes and his tears dropped on the ground. From them sprouted a tree with striking blue fruits that had strangely patterned seeds (Rudraksha)!
BEAD POWER These sacred beads symbolise the powers of the Gods, the elements and the cosmic power of planets which are said to ward-off evil spirits. Saints and sages wear it to enchance their powers of concentration, heighten their consciousness, attain spiritual advancement and salvation.
The Rudraksha is also said to emit electromagnetic waves to body cells and thereby promote well being. It sharpens one’s intuitive faculties, turns negative thoughts to positive ones, brings inner peace and contributes to success.
Many use the Rudraksha to help reduce stress and stress-related maladies like insomnia, abnormal blood pressure, headaches, indigestion, depression, nervous disorders and psychosomatic diseases. Cure skin diseases and control alcoholism and drug addiction, or wear it as a talisman to protect yourself from calamities.
YOUR GUIDE It’s important to go to an established therapist who can prescribe the right type of Rudraksha and explain how you are to use them. Talk with him/her and detail your food habits, problems you might face at in your relationships.
There is a ceremony when you wear your first Rudraksha. Before wearing them, keep them dipped in a mixture of milk, honey, sugar and yoghurt for 24 hours. Wash them with water and swing them over incense. Face the East and chant the right ‘mantras’. Wear your Rudraksha around your arm or as a pendant to rest on your sternum.
Most therapists advise that you should take off your Rudraksha if you’re visiting a cemetery or crematorium, eating non-vegetarian food, bathing, during sex and your periods. However, if you don’t, there are no negative effects. These precautions are advised only to maintain its sanctity.
BEWARE OF IMITATIONS Imitation beads look more attractive than the genuine ones. They are hand-carved on wood. There is no fool-proof way of knowing, and most insist that only experts can distinguish. But some therapists suggest that you can test a Rudraksha by putting it in water. If it’s real, it’ll sink. Or place it on a copper plate and touch the top of the bead with a copper spoon. If it’s real, the bead will start to rotate.
In a genuine Rudraksha, there are no marks like a ‘Trishul’, ‘Shivalingam’ or ‘Om’ — fake ones often boast of such things. It’s best to not buy a Rudraksha from a touristy religious spot or from saffron-clad ‘holy’ men. The bead comes in facets or mukhs — these are serrations on the surface of the bead.
Number Of Facets And How They Work * One or solar: Highly powerful, but hard to find and usually very expensive. Often crescent-shaped (like a cashew), it has one serration on its surface. * Two or lunar: Used to restore harmony in a relationship. It has two serrations and is usually almond-shaped. Another bead that helps relationships is the twin bead — two Rudrakshas (called ‘Gauri-Shankar’) that are naturally joined to form one. * Five: Most common and helps to regulate blood pressure. * Six: Ruled by Rahu and used to increase professional success. * Seven and 13: Ruled by Venus, they bring pleasure. * 10: Helps remove fear. * 12: Increases your charisma and magnetism. * 14 and 15: Help to awaken the third eye chakra. They are very rare and used for meditation and spiritual growth.

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