Rudraksha Mala/ Rosary

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RUDRAKSHA Mala/Rosary

 

A Rudraksha rosary is most commonly prepared from five faced beads that are

available most abundantly and also in various sizes . In Devi Bhagwat Puran one

can read about method of preparation of Rudraksha mala for counting beads while

chanting mantras. The main mouth (whole side) part of a Rudraksha is called

Brahma, the middle part Rudra (Shiva) and the hind part Vishnu. Thus the Trinity

form of Lord Rudra gives the worldly pleasures and salvation to man in this

world.

 

Lord Shiva's mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" or any other mantra chanted with

Rudraksha mala gives unlimited benefits as told in Shiva Purana.

 

The number of the beads of mala depends on the aim of chanting mantras. The mala

of 108 + 1 = 109 beads is regarded the best to count mantras. There are three

kinds of malas. One of them includes 108 beads + 1 bead called sumeru. The other

one includes 54 beads + 1 sumeru. If it is counted twice, it completes one mala.

The third kind of mala includes 1/4 beads of a full garland i.e. 27 beads + 1

sumeru. This is called 'sumarni'.

 

Four times of this mala completes one full Mala of 108 beads. This sumarni is

good for the man who remains always busy with chanting mantras and meditation.

It is easily portable. Garland of 132 beads is useful for performing rituals to

get riches.

 

A rosary of twenty five beads renders Moksa (liberation) ; that of thirty beads

renders wealth, that of fifty beads renders prosperity and that of fifteen beads

is helpful in spells for a malevolent purpose .

 

While wearing a rosary of 27 beads if a man does rituals , he gets a crore times

more benefit . Vopadeva states in Padarth-Darsa that one who wears thirty two

Rudrakshas in neck , forty on forehead , six in each ears , twelve in each

wrists , sixteen in each arm , four on each eye , one hundred and eight over the

chest , himself becomes NeelaKantha (Shiva) .

 

There is a mention of merits of rosary in chanting mantras (mystic syllables) by

the combination of different fingers for different purposes in some other mystic

literatures. It is said that in handling the rosary only forepart of the fingers

should be used.

 

There is a prominent bead, which is normally the central portion of the rosary

and is called Meru. The Sadhaka while rotating the rosary should not overtake

this Meru while counting and from there he should count the recitations in the

reverse order.

 

The Method of Counting Beads :- Japa, the counting of beads, should be done

after covering the mala. Mala should be kept always in a cotton bag (Gomukhi)

and during the counting of beads of mala , the hand should be inside the gomukhi

.. While counting mantras the mala should not touch the ground at any time .

 

There is another method for Japa - Take a copper bowl filled with water and now

half of the beads of the mala remain in hand and rest of the mala beads must

remain sinking in the water. Now cover the hand with a cloth and start to do the

japa. After complete the japa (reciting the mantra), this water should be

sprinkled in the house, in the courtyard and it should be drunk. Doing so the

person gets happiness and he marches towards salvation.

 

Besides the Pauranic versions for the uses of Rudraksa, there is mention of

merits of their rosary in chanting mantras (mystic syllables) by combination of

different fingers for different purposes in some other mystic literatures

(Shubhankaran, 1991).

 

It is held that in handling the rosary only fore part of the fingers should be

used. There is a prominent bead, which is normally the central portion of the

rosary and is called the Meru . The person should not overtake this Meru while

counting and from there he should count the recitation in the reverse order.

While counting the rosary should be revolved in a direction towards the person .

 

Mantra for the attainment of final salvation or religious perfection should be

recited by revolving the rosary with thumbs and Index finger ( also called

Tarjani i.e. first finger or the finger of Jupiter). The finger of Jupiter is

also used for destroying enemies.

 

Mantras for peace should be recited with the help of thumb and second finger (

also called Madhyama or finger of Saturn) and for the attainment of mantra

siddhi with thumb and third finger or ring finger or finger of Sun).

 

Thumb is used for final emancipation, finger of Jupiter for the prosperities

through trading and business; finger of Saturn for wealth and happiness; finger

of Sun for peace and finally anamika or finger of Mercury for all types of

mantras, Siddhis, etc. Revolving rosary with thumb, middle and ring finger helps

attaining peace and mental tranquility.

 

Source: www.rudraksha-ratna.com