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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