Rudraksha A Therapeutic Approach

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Rudraksha A Therapeutic Approach

 

Large genus (Elaeocarpus. Linn.) of trees belonging to the family

Eleocarpaceae distributed from South and East Asia through Malaysia

to Australia and Pacific Islands. About 25 species occur in India.

This medium sized tree also occurs in Nepal, Bihar, Bengal, Assam,

Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. But the author has noticed its

presence in the Nicobars, especially in Great Nicobar Island.

Morphologically, leaves are oblong-lanceolate, subentire, nearly

glabrous. Flowers are white in dense racemes, arising mostly from

old leaf aisles. Drupe, deep or Bluish purple, globose or obovoid

(0.5 - 1.0 in diameter) enclosing a hard, longitudinally grooved,

tubercled normally five-celled stone. In which five seeds are

embedded.

The stones are cleaned and polished, some times stained and used as

beads for rosaries, bracelets and other ornamental objects. They are

frequently set in gold and stones with fewer or more than five

cells, fetching high prices. Rudraksha beads have mukhas or 'faces'

that differ in number and this is what distinguishes them from each

other. Almost all beads are five-faced, with a very small percentage

being more or less. The therapeutic and spiritual attributes of

Rudraksha beads is dependent on the number of 'faces' it exhibits.

Beads having a single face to about twenty one faces have been

found. The Rudraksha treasured by the followers of the God of the

hindu trinity, Siva the Destroyer. According to the Siva Purana, It

is impossible to describe adequately, the benefits of wearing a

Rudraksha even in a 100 years. In Ayurveda, Rudraksha is useful in

the treatment of high blood pressure, allergies, neurological

diseases, asthma, diabetes, cancer and many other Raktavaha

Srotadhikara (blood circulatory disorders) and Manas Rogas (mental

disorders), due to its Guru (heaviness), Snigdha Guna (greasy

nature) Madhura Rasa, Madhura Vapaka and Sita Virya (cooling

properties) and Vata Pitta samaka pharmacodynamic action. On the

basis of above mentioned pharmacodynamic properties and actions the

significance of various types of beads of Rudraksha. (Actually it is

a phalasthi (fruit) which is the used part of this tree) can be

considered as follows. External use-External therapeutic uses of

Rudraksha can be performed by Darsana (By looking like tratak in

Yoga) and Sparsana (By wearing, and pressing the beads).

 

The application of lepa of Pancha mukhi beads leads to pacification

of Pitta or Dahasamana as like as chandana and apply on Masurika

eruption. - Wearing of Eka Mukhi (one faced) beads fulfils desire. -

Wearing of Dwi Mukhi (Two faced) ensures control of desires. -

Rubbing of Tri Mukhi (three faced) in milk and applied to the eye in

eye ailments. - Wearing of Chatur Mukhi (four faced) can increase

grasping power and intelligence. - Wearing of Pancha Mukhi (five

faced) increases mental peace, normalizes blood circulation. This

type is also used as an ornament. - Wearing of Shasta Mukhi (six

faced) beads increases memory retention. -Wearing of Sapta Mukhi

(seven faced) increases will power. -Wearing of Ashta Mukhi (Eight

faced) beads increases concentration, develops knowledge and removes

obstacles in proposed plans and works. - Wearing of Dasa Mukhi (Ten

faced) useful in spiritual enlightenment and reduces mental stress

and strain. Rudraksha is also known as Bhuta Nasana (literally,

destroying ghosts) due to its action in relieving mental disorders.

Wearing the Rudraksha benefits in various ways depending upon the

number of faces. On the basis of pharmacological experiements by

experts, it has been proven that Rudraksha is beneficial in the

treatment of neurological and mental disorders. It has been found

that, smaller or medium sized Rudraksha are most effective for

wearing and japam. Moreover, when in japam (meditation with

chanting) using the rudraksa mala keeping the beads a little pressed

develops a pressure in the thumb and middle finger, improving blood

circulation in the eye and brain (Acupressure Theory). They can be

worn on the wrist, forearms, neck, chest, head, forehead, earlobes

and around the midrib. A Rudraksha mala can be made of 108, 54, 36,

27 or 18 beads. But one must use only the strong, well formed and

grooved Rudraksha.

 

The natural central holed ones are the best. Internal use of

Rudraksha Apart from the external uses, Rudraksha is also

administered in powdered form in dosage of 3-5 gm or mixed with

other Ayurvedic herbs. The internal administration improves their

effectiveness and shortens the treatment period. The systemic action

of Rudraksha is as follows:- It acts as an anticonvulsant and

analgesic on the nervous system. The six-faced beads are

particularly effective in the treatment of epilepsy and hysteria,

whereas the ten-faced beads are used in reducing mental stress and

strain. It is hepatotonic on the gastrointestinal system and is

useful in the treatment of jaundice and other hepatic disorders.

Three faced beads are useful in curing indigestion. Three faced and

five faced beads are effective in the treatment of circulatory

system disorders like hypertension. It affects the respiratory

system by acting as a bronchodilator and is useful in the treatment

of dynsnoea. Three-faced beads are effective in the treatment of

asthma, whereas ten-faced beads controls whopping cough. Nine-faced

beads are effective in the treatment of urino-genital disorders, and

aid in the prevention of miscarriages. Moreover, these beads are

also useful in lowering the body temperature and act as an

antipyretic agent during fever. Three-faced beads are effective in

treating malaria. Ten-faced beads are effective in treating

temperature regulation related disorders. Four-faced Rudraksha beads

are effective in treating skin disorders. Form of Uses The Rudraksha

beads are taken orally and externally in the form of Him (frozen),

Kvatham, Milk, Bhasma (ash), Vibhuti, Tailam (oil), Kalkam, Mandap,

Kirtanan, Mala etc. Precautions 1. To maintain its potency Rudraksha

beads must be kept off the ground and wrapped in wool or silk when

not in use. Cleaning the beads with sandal wood oil once a month is

also recommended. 2.

 

The bigger Rudrakshas are the best for both medicinal purposes and

worshipping whereas for wearing and japam, smaller sized Rudraksha

are more potent. 3. Only the strong, well formed and grooved

Rudrakshas are recommended. The natural, central holed ones are the

most effective. 4. It is found that Rudraksha must be used for more

than 40 days, to achieve the desired results. 5. Before using

Rudraksha, one must test its genuineness by the following ways: -

The central hole of the rudraksa should be natural - When an

original Rudraksha is kept between two clean copper coins, it will

move slightly due to the magnetic effect - When a Rudraksha is kept

in water, a little heat is discharged after a few hours and the

color of water changes - Rudraksha sinks when put in water. As a

Rudraksha ages, it loses weight. Only a genuine Rudraksha must be

selected as it has great medicinal and spiritual attributes. It is

recommended for physical and mental ailments. To verify this

recommendation in scientific explanation it is felt by the author to

research on evaluation of Rudraksha. References : The wealth of

India, Raw Materials, Vol. III, D.E. CSIR New Delhi 1952 Dictionary

of Economic Products, DEP - III, 205, Commercial Products (CP) 511

Hooker's Flora of British India (F1. Br. Ind.) I, 400 Kirt & Basu I,

404 Shruti Sharma in Indian Express S.K. Bhattacharya et at.

Pharmacological Investigations on Elaeocarpus ganitrus, Plant Media,

October 1775 Dravya Guna Vigyan by Priyavrat Sharma Chaukhambha

Bharti Academy, 1983. Dr. Raakhee Mehra, M D (Ay.), Ph.D, Officer In-

charge, Tribal Health Care Research Project (Ay.), Car Nicobar, A &

N Islands, India

 

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