Rudraksha

Rudraksha is a large evergreen broad-leaved tree whose seed is traditionally used for prayer beads in Hinduism. The seed is borne by several species of Elaeocarpus, with E. ganitrus being the principal species used in the making of a bead chain or mala. Rudraksha is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the name Rudra ("Shiva") and akṣha ("eyes"). The specific epithet ganitrus is possibly taken from ganitri, the name for this species in Sundanese and Malay.

Rudraksha grows in the area from the Gangetic Plain in foothills of the Himalayas to South-East Asia, Indonesia, New Guinea to Australia, Guam, and Hawaii. Rudraksha seeds are covered by an outer shell of blue color when fully ripe, and for this reason are also known as blueberry beads. The blue colour is derived not from pigment but is structural. It is an evergreen tree that grows quickly. Rudraksha Tree starts bearing fruit in three to four years. As the tree matures, the roots buttress rising up narrowly near the trunk and radiating out along the surface of the ground.

Religious Effects

Rudraksha beads are the material from which malas (108 beads in number) are made. The term is used both for the berries themselves and as a term for the type of mālā made from them. In this sense, a rudraksha is a rosary, used for repetitive prayer (japa), a common aid to worship in Hinduism. Rudraksha is also used for treatment of various diseases in traditional Indian medicine.

The seeds show variation in the number of grooves on their surface, and are classified on the basis of the number of divisions that they have. Different qualities are attributed to the rudraksha based on the number of grooves, or 'faces' that it has. A common type has five divisions, and these are considered to be symbolic of the five faces of Shiva. It can only be worn with red string or a gold chain.

Rudraksha Mala has been used by Hindus (as well as Sikhs and Buddhists) as rosary at least from the 10th century onwards form editation purposes and to sanctify the mind, body and soul. The word Rudraksha is derived from Rudra (Shiva—the Hindu God of all living creatures) and aksha (eyes). One Hindu legend says that once Lord Shiva opened His eyes after a long period yogic meditation, because of extreme fulfillment He shed out a tear. This single tear from Shiva’s eye grew into the Rudraksha tree. Rudraksha fruit is blue in color but turns black when dried. The central hard Rudraksha uni-seed may have 1 to 21 faces

Types of Rudraksha

One Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha

This type of Rudraksha symbolizes Lord Shiva himself .Generally it comes in the shape of cashew nut or half moon. The owner of this possession shall always have prosperity and fortune worldly pleasures, success, power, victory over enemy .Good social and financial status and positive worldly perspectives are bestowed upon wearing one mukhi Rudraksha. One mukhi Half Moon clears the Consciousness of the possessor. It also improves concentration and mental constitution of the wearer. It is said that the wearer enjoys all comforts of life and remains unattached if he possesses this bead.

Mantra : ' Om Namaha Shivaya, Om Hreem Namaha '
Ruling Planet : ' Sun '

Two Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha

Two mukhi or face Rudraksha symbolizes the unite form of Shiva Parvati , also commonly known as Arthanareshwor. It harbors immense mystical power. Vedic 

scriptures boost about the belief that two mukhi Rudraksha carries the entire evolution of cosmos within it and thus it is a special blessing to mankind. Two natural lines or faces are found on two mukhi Rudraksha which is its key identification. It comes in oval shape. Besides Hindus, it is also considered extremely sacred by Vaishnavaites. Vaishnavism religion perceives it as the symbol of Lord Vishnu. The use of two two- mukhi Rudraksha beads fastened around a red thread activates its immense power for reaping maximum benefits.

Mantra : ' Om Shiva Shaktihi Namaha '
Ruling Planet : ' Moon '

Three Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha

Three mukhi Rudraksha represents the God Agni hence the divine power of god has been collectively blended into it making it very sacred, powerful and the most sought after possession. Like fire, the divine weapon of god Agni engulfs every powerful objects and beings, it engulfs past sins and helps in purifying a soul. With this opens up the door to wisdom for humans to acknowledge and worship the supremacy    of his almighty.

Mantra : ' Om Kleem Namah '
Ruling Planet : ' Mars '

Four Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha

Four mukhi Rudraksha symbolizes Brahma and is also worshipped as the symbol of Chaturanan. Visually, four linings from head to bottom are observed on four mukhi Rudraksha at equal distance. This signifies the four facets of Brahma leading to humans eternal quest for knowledge, meaning, action or fate and freedom. If a person wears it on neck or on arm, s/he can attain enormous benefits.

Mantra : ' Om Hreem Namah '
Ruling Planet : ' Mercury ' 

Five  Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha

As the representation of Lord of Living creature, five mukhi Rudraksha is also known to symbolize the form of Pancheswor or Panchmukhi Shiva. It also represents another form of Shiva termed as Kaalagni. Since the ancient times the users and wearers of five mukhi Rudraksha had accumulated maximum physical and materialistic benefits with the eternal blessings from Lord Shiva. Many documented evidences have solidly cemented the belief of Shiva devotees that no matter how deeply one sinks into the depth of failure or loose hope and faith in life or is engulfed by worldly miseries or is at the verge of bankruptcy or mental breakdown, five mukhi Rudraksha always comes forth in the form of a guiding angel for the welfare of mankind as a gift from Lord Shiva.

Mantra : ' Om Hreem Namah '
Ruling Planet : ' Mars ' 

Six  Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha

Six mukhi Rudraksha symbolizes God Kumar, most commonly known as Kartikey. It possesses divine power with the blessings of Kartikey. Even goddess Parvati has graced six mukhi Rudraksha with her eternal blessings.It enhances concentration, mental sharpness, will power, sexual harmony, self-confidence, self-esteem and personality. It blesses the wearer with the key to success, glory, fame, physical strength, luxury, wisdom, wealth, name, power, blissful marital life, family harmony, charismatic personality, prosperity, good career prospect and positive perspectives towards life.

Mantra : ' Om Hreem Hum Namah '
Ruling Planet : ' Venus ' 

Seven  Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha

Seven mukhi Rudraksha is regarded as the representation of Saptarishi (Seven Greatest Sage). Vaishnavism belief that seven mukhi Rudraksha represents Avanta, the king of serpents who is believed to be the incarnate of Lord Shiva himself. Each face on the Rudraksha represents one great serpent. Energized beads can be placed in a locker containing money and other financial assets or in a prayer room to reap positive output.It releases a man from poverty and miseries. Its use is especially beneficial for those who are into business.

Mantra : ' Om Hum Namah '
Ruling Planet : ' Saturn '

Eight  Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha

Eight mukhi Rudraksha is the symbolization of Lord Ganesh. It has eight linings displayed on its surface.One can just wear one bead of eight mukhi Rudraksha for attaining anticipated results for any new work.It is coupled with numerous gains leading to physical, mental and spiritual well-being. It works wonders for people who are accident-prone. It keeps one away from unpredictable accident, misfortunes, obstacles and miseries.

Mantra : ' Om Ganeshaya Namah '
Ruling Planet : ' Rahu '

Nine  Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha

A nine mukhi Rudraksha represents goddess Durga, a symbol of power and courage. It is believed to possess power of nine deities, also called Navadurga. It also represents god Yama, god of death and sage Kapila. Based on the scientific researches, Hindu scripture proudly boosts that the use of nine mukhi Rudraksha on a body specially if worn stimulates the hormonal function of the body and this enhances mental alertness and sharpness, physical strength, mental peace, spiritual gain, concentration power, patience, control over anger and fear and communication skills.

Mantra : ' Om Hreem Hum Namaha '
Ruling Planet : ' Ketu '

Ten  Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha

Ten mukhi Rudraksha symbolizes Lord Vishnu and is also believed to represent Dusavatar meaning seven incarnations of Lord Vishnu. In Shiva Purana there is a detailed mention of how everyone irrespective of caste, creed, religion, nationality and gender can use ten mukhi Rudraksha for attaining fame and success in carrier. Srimaddevibhagavat have also sung songs of praises on ten mukhi Rudraksha for its divine contribution in rescuing mankind from worldly sufferings, miseries, misfortunes, evil power and adverse planetary effects.

Mantra : ' Om Hreem  Namaha '
Ruling Planet : ' Jupiter ' 

Eleven  Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha Vedic scriptures state that eleven mukhi Rudraksha represents the eleven forms of Lord Shiva also called Akads Rudra. Amongst the eleven forms of Lord Shiva, the eleventh form is Lord Hanuman. According to the ancient religious texts, several great sages have worn eleven mukhi Rudraksha during their meditation for spiritual quest. Moreover, it is regarded very auspicious in religious rituals. Hindu belief is rooted on a perception that whoever wears eleven mukhi Rudraksha, s/he shall attain all the eleven heavenly virtues of Lord Eleven. Mantra : ' Om Hreem Hum Namaha ' Ruling Planet : ' Jupiter '  Twelve  Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha Srimaddevibhagavat regards twelve mukhi Rudraksha as a representation of Lord Sun. Hence, it is the embodiment of twelve different facets of god Surya. Twelve virtues of god Surya are light of universal friendship, light of compelling radiance, dispeller of darkness or ignorance, shining principle, all pervading light, light of mystic fire, golden colored one healing gold, light obvious and subtle as at dawn and dusk, light of the sage an aspect of Vishnu, light of enlightenment, light that removes afflictions and brilliance the light of intelligence. Lord sun blesses an owner of twelve mukhi Rudraksha with a life of a Rich people surrounded by unlimited luxury, wealth and authority. Mantra : ' Aum Kraum Sraum Raum Namah ' Ruling Planet : ' Sun '  Thirteen  Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha As a representation of god is know as Lord Indra, thirteen mukhi Rudraksha possesses divine power. Therefore, it inherits virtues like love, affection, beauty and attraction as its attributes. It empowers a person with an ability to woo another individual with irresistible charisma. Its wearer or user will further have a power to control her/his own destiny. Besides humans, animals will also remain bewitched and besotted under the influence of the wearer's spell. Thirteen mukhi Rudraksha unfolds immense spiritual gain, success, physical and mental strength, good luck, power of authority, charismatic personality, honor, employment opportunity, wealth, worldly pleasures, high level of social and financial status and glory. Mantra : ' Om Hreem Namah ' Ruling Planet : ' Mars'  Fourteen  Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha Fourteen mukhi Rudraksha represents Hanuman. It fosters positive Fourteen mukhi Rudraksha symbolizes lord Shiva. Its very precious divine power makes it very special and rare. Shiva Purana praises about how fourteen mukhi Rudraksha rules the cosmic world and humans and is regarded as a favorite possession not just by humans but also by gods and goddesses. Its properties have been compared to the power of Lord Shiva. In Srimaddevibhagavat, Narayan has glorified the importance of fourteen mukhi with special emphasis on wearing it to attain spiritual freedom and the virtues of Lord Shiva himself. Rudraksha. Even Mantramaharnava has revealed that upon wearing fourteen mukhi Rudraksha beads, great intuition power overpowers a person and then s/he shall be able  to predict and foresee the future. Mantra : ' Om Shivaya Namaha ' Ruling Planet : ' Saturn' Gaurishankar Rudraksha It is formed by the union of two Rudraksha and hence symbolizes Shiva Shakti that is combined form of Shiva and Parvati. It evokes maximum positive results and fulfills every desire if kept either inside a puja room Its use brings in family harmony, contentment, happiness and peace. http://www.gangesindia.com/spiritual-accessories/rudraksha.html