Rudraksha Beads: Working with Mystical Malas

Rudraksha beads are small seeds that, according to yogis, have great power. Are you curious about what they stand for? Here you will learn everything about mystical malas!

Rudraksha beads have meaning for many yogis and modern monks. According to them, these sacred seeds carry an important message. Are you curious what it is? Here you can read all about the symbolic power of Rudraksha beads and how to meditate with these special seeds of spirituality!

The Mythical Rudraksha Meaning

Rudraksha beads are red seeds from the blue berries of the elaeocarpus ganitrus tree. In Hindu mythology, they are associated with the god Shiva and symbolize his love for the world. The story goes that during one of his meditations, Shiva became so full of compassion that he started to cry. His tears then fell to the earth, from which a new kind of tree began to grow. He called them Rudraksha, after ‘Rudra’ (a name for Shiva) and ‘aksha’, eye or tear. The Rudraksha beads meaning is literally ‘tears of Shiva’, but on a deeper level the berry shows what can arise from sincere emotions!

How to Use Rudraksha Beads According to Experts

According to yogis, the Rudraksha effect works on your heart. So if you touch them, you could feel compassion for the well-being of all beings – including yourself, of course! Meditating with the red seeds can therefore fit perfectly into a ritual for Self-love. A warning would be in order: the fewer compartments or “mukhi” the bead has, the stronger the effect. Rudraksha seeds, like most citrus fruits, have ‘slices’, up to 21 per bead. If only 1 line runs over the seed, then according to Hindus you are called up to become a full-time monk. Fortunately, most beads have four or five.

Mantras for Rudraksha Meditation

Counting mantras is the main job of Rudraksha beads, meaning that they are often part of prayer necklaces. These Malas usually have 108 beads, which you can use to count spiritual spells. Of course since these seeds represent tears of compassion from Lord Shiva, mantras aimed at him are a natural choice:

• Om Namah Shivaya
• Om Namoh Bhagavate Rudraya
• Om Tatpurushaay Vidmahe Mahadevaay Deemahi Tanno Rudrah Prachodayat

Om Namah Shivaya

Om Namah Shivaya is the most famous mantra to invoke Shiva while meditating. The mantra means ‘I bow to Lord Shiva’ and is seen as a way to allow transformation. Learn everything about this Popular and Powerful Mantra Here!

Om Namoh Bhagavate Rudraya

This mantra greets Shiva and asks if he will bless you with his emotional and creative power. Feel free to repeat it 108 times for an invigorating effect and a burst of creative energy.

Om Tatpurushaay Vidmahe Mahadevaay Deemahi Tanno Rudrah Prachodayat

According to yogis, this Mantra Meditation has a calming effect on your mind and mood. The text asks if Shiva wants to help you see through illusions. In this way you can accept the situation of things around you and you can continue with your life in good spirits!

What to Watch out for When Wearing Rudraksha

Rudraksha beads are usually yellow, red, or orange by nature and when they come into contact with moisture, they release dye. Do you want to wear Rudraksha as a bracelet or prayer necklace? Keep in mind that they can transfer to your skin through sweat and friction. So it can be smart to wear them over clothing or take them off when you perspire.

More Ways to Meditate with Shiva?

If you’re sensitive to spiritual energies and want to experience the soothing sympathy of Rudraksha, then there are also smaller pieces such as Bracelets. It’s also good to know that the spiritual energy of Rudraksha can also be combined with gemstones that have a similar energy and there is beautiful jewelry that combines both. You can read more about Combining Crystals here. Just remember, even if your not meditating with Rudraksha, it is holy to many, so wear it with respect!

Can’t see yourself meditating with Rudraksha malas anytime soon or wearing Rudraksha Jewelry, but are you inspired by the message behind them? Fortunately, there are many more ways to get to know the god Shiva Nataraja! He’s known for his dance of the universe so many people connect with this Hindu Deity by dancing or doing fire rituals for example. Making music would also make this god happy.

Check Out Our Assortment Of Hindu Statues

What do you do to work with your emotions?