The number of People wearing Rudraksha is growing. Some of these wearers are keen observers and thoroughly analytical as they are educated and have noted down their experience, which they have willingly shared with us. However, Rudraksha is amazing beads of nature, and their effects on human beings shall continue to baffle all of us. Therefore, it should not be considered on the same plane as any other alternative therapy or approach like pyramids, gemstones. 

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Rudraksha bead.

(1) How to get the maximum benefit of Rudraksha

Rudraksha beads or mala should be washed with water daily. Just keep your beads or mala below a water tap for few seconds and then pad dry or wear directly. Apply any edible oil once a month over the beads for better shine and longer life.

Beads should be worn for longer periods and wear even at night during sleep, provided your sleep is not disturbed. If wearing a Gaurishankar rudraksha or Sawar, it must be removed at night. Otherwise, the bead may get damaged. If taken out at night, you may wear them immediately on waking up with chanting of “Om Namah Shivaya:” or beej mantra. Alternatively, you may wear them after taking a bath.

It has been observed that if Rudraksha is blessed by regular Abhishek or pooja, particularly on special occasions of holy festivals, then the wearer gets better results. Therefore, whenever you visit a temple or a famous shrine of any religious order or your Guru’s place, concentrate your attention on your bead and chant “Om Namah Shivaya,” and pray for positive energies to bless you. 

On a solar eclipse, after bathing, chanting mantras placing the washed Rudraksha in front of you proves beneficial. Rudraksha-Abhishek is not done during the eclipse, and so mantra chanting is beneficial.

(2) How much time is required to sense a change in body, mind, status, or a given situation after wearing Rudraksha? 

Aura becomes powerful soon after a Rudraksha comes in contact with the body. In other words, it becomes sharp and bigger. When beads comes in contact with the body, these aura layers become stabilized almost immediately. However, long-lasting results and recovery from diseases may occur after some time. Correct selection and proper wearing of Rudraksha helps in balancing Chakras. Various trials and efforts are required to balance these chakras, including chanting proper mantras or getting the blessing of different Gods/Goddesses who bless the specific chakras.

For physical disorders, a minimum time of 20 days is required to feel and experience the change, and for reducing the level of anxiety or stress, about 40 days are optimum. For a change of luck and removal of obstacles, one needs to constantly wear a beads for 60 days to notice its positive effects. Anxiety and fear are diminished, and the effects of the evil eye, jealousy, and black magic almost disappear immediately.

The above time frame is approximate and varies from person to person and is grossly dependent on situations. Therefore, these beads are not magical. However, the wearer starts taking the thoughtful decision and reaping its benefits within the specified time frame.

(3) For meditation and self-control, which type of Rudraksha should be chosen?

A Kantha of 5 mukhi large sizes beads is good for meditation. However, for a higher level of meditation and to reach a near-zero thought level of meditation, A combination using large-sized beads of 3 mukhi, 5 mukhi and 9 mukhi, 11 mukhi, 14 mukhi, Guarishankar, and 1 mukhi should be used to make a higher level Dhyan mala or meditation mala.

Long-term usage of 14 mukhi over the forehead, particularly during meditation, gives excellent concentration. Rudraksha mala is like a storehouse of energy, which helps you keep powerful Urja from meditation or good deeds within yourself. 

(4) What is the best way of doing pooja of Rudraksha at home, whether it should first time or any time? 

Arrange the following items to prepare Panchumrit – Pure water with a small amount of Ganga water 50ml, milk, Ghee, and a Diya lamp to light it, curd, and honey (20 ml each).

Camphor, sandalwood powder, rice grains, flower preferable white and water.

• Steps to be followed

Sit facing East or north in a comfortable posture. Light the lamp with Ghee. Wash the bead using water and then wipe it clean with a cloth. Place bead in a tray. Pour Panchamrit over Rudraksha using a spoon and chant with each pouring “Om Namah Shivaya.” Finish all Panchamrit in this way. Offer Sandalwood paste to bead and then light incense sticks and camphor and offer flowers to Rudraksha. 

Chant “Om Namah Shivaya” 11 times or chant Rudraksha beej mantra or each mukhi and then wear bead. Pray to Lord Shiva and express your wish.

(5) Whether Nepal beads are better than Indonesian beads?

Physical characteristics and experience show that Indonesian beads of 1 mukhi, 2 mukhi, and 3 mukhi are effective and can be used comfortably if the Nepal variety is out of reach due to cost considerations. ( 1 mukhi Indonesia n is the only option considering 1 mukhi Nepal variety which is difficult to get). 

Beyond 3 mukhi, the clarity of lines and distribution of inner compartments start getting jumbled up, and effectiveness may be questionable. Nevertheless, one can symbolically wear higher mukhi Indonesian beads in large numbers, and some wearers have also testified to them for good results. 

Another advantage of higher mukhi Indonesian beads is their purity, as it is not easy to duplicate. Indonesian Rudraksha, as the lines are only on the bead’s surface, Nepal beads have deeper lines. Therefore, they can be carved artificially, which is a common practice in higher mukhi Rudraksha beyond 8 mukhi unless they are source from a reliable supplier.

(6) Should one wear Rudraksha while having a bath or while going to the toilet?

Yes, but the bracelet should be removed if going to the toilet. 

(7) Can Rudraksha be worn while going to a funeral ground? 

Any of our holy scripture imposes no restriction. However, as per the tradition prevailing, all articles symbolizing the power of energy sources should be taken off the body (like gemstone, Rudraksha, Yantras, etc.) while places like a funeral ground.

(8) For testing the facets of beads, the X-ray technique method is catching up, but in higher mukhi beads, the compartments are difficult to see.

Normally in the case of higher mukhi, beads compartments are overlapped and need a radiologist’s services and may require the use of a CT scan to correct the conclusion. Normally over 8 mukhi get only 50% or even less, fully grown or developed compartments or seeds. A properly nurtured fruit ripened on the tree normally yields a seed that should be visible in an S ray, but even here, Seeds may not be found in all the compartments.

(9) What is the best way to select the type of Rudraksha required by a person

Despite best efforts, no method can be fully relied upon to match your needs exactly; problems are sometimes complex, their root causes may vary. Astrological predictions may differ from person to person. Pinpointing a disturbed or unbalanced chakra is a futile exercise as no perfect instrument has been invented so far to observe unbalanced chakra. The numerological evaluation also gives multiple options, and therefore we have to live with the fact that some variations may be possible while selecting optimum Rudraksha for you. One should keep the mind open to keep on trying different beads. However, make sure to wear a basic 5 mukhi beads and at least one of the following 7 mukhi, 9 mukhi, 10 mukhi, 11 mukhi, or 14 mukhi

• For good health, always choose – 3 Mukhi, 5 Mukhi.
• 12 Mukhi Rudraksha for blood pressure, diabetes, or cardiac disorders.
• 7 Mukhi Rudraksha for body pain.
• 6 Mukhi, 13 Mukhi, and Gauri Shankar for fertility.
• 3 Mukhi, 9 Mukhi, and 10 Mukhi for fear and anxiety.
• 4 Mukhi, 6 Mukhi, and 1 Mukhi(Indonesian) for mental illness of any kind.
• For meditation and Lord Shiva Bhakti – 1 Mukhi, 2 Mukhi, 5 Mukhi, 14 Mukhi, and Gauri Shankar Rudraksha.
• For wealth, any one or all Rudraksha assigned to Gods/Goddesses of wealth should be used – 1 Mukhi, 7 Mukhi, 8 Mukhi, 15 Mukhi, 17 Mukhi, or 21 Mukhi Rudraksha.
• For keeping the enemy away or to win in legal cases – 10 Mukhi, 16 Mukhi, and 19 Mukhi Rudraksha. 
• Sarva Siddhi mala, which contains all the beads from 1 to 14 Mukhi and also has a Gauri Shankar and Ganesha Rudraksha, is a good option to get overall success in any business or for professional excellence.