HOLY RUDRAKSHA BEADS FROM INDIA. It is described in the Siva Purana that from a desire to help the worlds, drops of tears fell from Siva’s eyes and from those tears grew the first Rudraksha trees. No single tree is as rich with legend as the Rudraksha. References to Rudraksha appear throughout the Vedic literature. There are 38 varieties of Rudraksha that grow primarily in Nepal, India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Once these trees are at least five years old they produce a bright blue fruit and for this reason are often called blue marble fruit. Once this fruit is carefully boiled away the inner seed, Rudraksha Bead, is revealed. These beads can range in size from about 4 millimeters to the size of an amalak fruit (30 millimeters). They are most well known for having different numbers of facets on the face of the bead. Beads from 1 facet to 32 have been reported. Normally only 1-21 facets are found. Rudraksha are commonly used to make malas (rosaries). These malas are strung in groups of 108 beads with a 109th or Guru Bead set separately. Beads are also strung into malas of 54 and 27 beads and worn around the neck. Many, especially the more rare beads, are worn singly, set in gold or silver or on silk thread. Malas consisting of 6 beads can be worn around the ears, 12 around the hands, 15 around the upper arms, 22 around the forehead, 27 around the neck and 32 around the throat so the mala will touch the heart. In the Vedic Literature it states that anyone can wear Rudraksha irrespective of gender, caste or creed. . In the Skanda Purana it states that “even if one happens to be slack in the observance of other daily religious duties, the wearing of Rudraksha absolves one from all sins.” In the Srimad Devi Bhagavatam “One is benefited by simply looking at or touching a Rudraksha”. In the Padma Purana “if the Rudraksha be worn on the body it will magnify the fruit of meritorious action a million fold. In the Siva Purana “If a person is not liberated after meditation and acquisition of knowledge he shall wear Rudraksha. He shall be free of all sins (karma) and attain the highest goal. If anyone wears Rudraksha during the day, he will be freed of sins (karma) committed during the night, if he wears it during the night, he will be free of sins (karma) committed during the day” Special merits are accrued by wearing the Rudraksha during solar and lunar eclipses and during all the equinoxes and solstices. Rudraksha beads greatly benefit householders who want all prosperity in life, spiritual progress and protection from negative energies. They bring inner silence, peace of mind and protection from untimely deat The One Face Rudraksha bead is Shiva himself. It bestows to the wearer salvation, financial success, fulfillment of desires, worldly enjoyment and the removal of even great sins (karma) and all kinds of problems. It is the rarest of all Rudraksha beads. The Two Face Rudraksha Bead is called the Shiva-Shakti Bead (male and female energies together). It is worn for harmony in marriage life, mental peace and progress, fulfillment of desires and financial gain. It is believed that if worn around the waist or arm, pregnant ladies will have an easy delivery. It is also believed to destroy black magic, evil spirits, nightmares and super natural forces and promote good sleep if kept beneath the pillow during the night. It will purify the sin of killing a cow. These beads are larger bead malas (each bead is i inch long) recommended for men to wear during meditation. The Three Face Rudraksha Bead represents Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This bead is especially good for happiness, gaining power, attaining education and prosperity. Its powers are such that it can help the unemployed find jobs. According to the Vedic literature, it gives strength to the weak and makes the wearer strong and free from fever and disea The Four Face Rudraksha Bead is of the form of the four faced Brahma. It is said to bestow the four aims of life which are dharma, (spiritual direction) artha (wealth), Kama (enjoyment in life) and moksha (liberation). It is of special benefit to students as it sharpens the mind and increases the ability to absorb and memorize. It is ideal for those who have less intelligence and who are short on mental strength and energy. In the Vedic literature it is said that if the bead is boiled in milk and the milk given to a patient for 20 days that it can restore balance even to extreme mental illness. The patients’ mind will be purified and all worries removed. It is also said to remove the sin of man-slaughter. The Five Face Rudraksha Bead is the most common and least expensive of all Rudraksha beads. Its name is Kala Agni. The five face Rudraksha bead facilitates peace of mind, good meditation, reduction of fear, spiritual progress and achievement of all desires. It is also said to remove sins (karma). The Shastras say that it removes the sins of eating forbidden things and doing forbidden The Six Face Rudraksha Bead represents the six-faced Kartikeya/Subramaniyam who is the Commander in Chief of all the Deva forces. According to the Shastras the wearing of this six face bead will bring amazing success in business, clear intellect, wisdom and Siddhi (success in any work). It should be worn by men on the right arm or hand and will help in the removal of even the greatest sins. Women should wear it on the left arm or hand. According to the Shastras it helps with hysteria, fainting, epilepsy and numerous feminine problems. It is also said that this Rudraksha is good for blood pressure, heart problems and removal of all kinds The Seven Face Rudraksha Bead represents the seven Rishis. It is said in the Shastras that even a poor man becomes a great lord by wearing it. It brings to the wearer great wealth, health, respect and spiritual power. It is said to remove the sin (karma) of stealing gold, etc. Whosoever wears it will gain right perception and purity of mind. The Eight Face Rudraksha Bead is the manifestation of Lord Ganesh/Vinayaka who is the remover of obstacles and the son of Shiva. It enables one to acquire longevity, wealth and an abundance of good food. It is especially beneficial for the businessman and for finding a suitable spouse. The Shastras claim that it has the power to erase the sin of lying and deceit and makes the wearer an upholder of truth and virtue. The Nine Face Rudraksha Bead represents the nine powers of the Divine Mother/ Goddess Durga. It is the most popular bead among women. It bestows wealth, family welfare, and fulfillment of desires, happiness and complete control over enemies. The holding of the nine faced Rudraksha removes the sin incurred by committing thousands of abortions and frees one from the fear of death. It is also said to help all diseases related to the heart. It is recommended to be worn on the left hand. The Ten Face Rudraksha Bead represents Lord Vishnu/Janardana. This rare Rudraksha brings love and honor from all ten directions, insures peace of mind and protects the wearer from untimely death. It is most beneficial for mental strain and mental disorders. It protects the wearer from demons and evil spirits and snakes. It protects the wearer from all evils and fulfills all desires. The Eleven Face Rudraksha Bead represents the eleven rudras (powers) of Lord Shiva. This Rudraksha increases all kinds of well being to the person wearing it. It brings prosperity and victory. It is especially beneficial for women. It is said that if a woman wears this Rudraksha it provides long life, protection and success for her husband. It is also said to insure the birth of a son to those who wish for a son. The Twelve Face Rudraksha Bead represents Lord Vishnu and the 12 Adityas (The 12 suns). It promotes happiness and removes poverty. It brings respect and honor in society. A person who wears this Rudraksha bead is absolved of the sins incurred in killing animals and it also brings freedom from the fear of wild animals. It is also said that the 12 face Rudraksha brings control of the five senses and protects from disease. It is recommended to wear this bead on the head or forehead The Thirteen Face Rudraksha Bead represents Kama Deva and Vishwa Deva. It bestows on the wearer all that is desired: fulfillment of desires, honor and respect, wealth, name and fame and enlightenment. It is said that only the very fortunate can wear this rare Rudraksha bead. It is said to remove the sins incurred in killing mother, father and brother. It also helps to remove childlessness. The Fourteen Face Rudraksha Bead is said to have originated from the eye of Lord Shiva and is considered a form of Hanuman. It is best worn on the forehead or the top of the head. It is said that its wearer will never have any problems in life. He/she will live in peace in affluence and be free from all sins. It is said to remove the evil effects of Saturn, Rahu and Ketu including mental worry and anxiety. It is believed that if this bead is boiled in milk and the milk taken for 20 days all worries can be kept away. It is said to end all miseries and destroy all diseases.