How to use a Rudraksha Beads Rosary?

Rudraksha Beads Rosary is considered most auspicious and is considered the best options to be adopted for alternative medicine methodologies like meditation, tai chi, yoga, biofeedback etc. This rosary have been worn by Saints and Sages from ages for attaining spiritual attributes. The power of these beads has greatly influenced Buddhism and other religions as well. This beads are also worn by those desiring good health, peace, happiness, spiritual enlightenment, prosperity, family harmony, attraction, fearless life and several other spiritual gains.

This holy beads rosary is also referred to as ‘Japa Mala' as it is used for japa(chanting). The rosary is normally made out of 5 mukhi beads in auspicious numbers like 108+1, 54+1 or 27+1. The +1 bead is called Sumeru and it is not crossed while chanting. Sumeru is considered as boundary for the one to reverse the direction for further counting while chanting.

According to Puranas that Rudraksha are to be worn in different numbers on the different parts of the body like head, neck, wrists, both fore arms, waist, abdomen etc to acquire Special Siddhis. The number of beads is very important when wearing on different parts of the body like 27 or 54 or 108 for neck, 32 for throat, six, eleven or fifteen for arms, 5 for the waist etc.

Using Rudraksha Rosary for Mantra Chanting

Sit in a comfortable position with eyes closed and mind focused on the mantra. The rosary can rest on the right hand ring finger and middle finger can be used for Japa. One can also hang the string between the thumb and the ring finger and use middle to rotate the beads. Another method of using the rosary is hanging the rosary on the middle finger and the thumb is used for rotating the beads. The beads are rotated by one bead towards oneself, with each breath and repetition of the mantra. The index and small fingers are considered inauspicious for japa and the rosary should never touch the ground while japa. The Sumeru is never crossed while chanting and once Sumeru is reached the counting is done in the reverse direction.While chanting the hand can be placed on in front of the heart at the center of the chest or on the right knee. Mostly 108 + 1 bead rosary is used for this purpose but if one is using 27 +1 or 54 + 1 rosary make sure that your mantra chants should be 108 times or in multiples of 108. To energize the rosary one should do the mantra chanting with the rosary for 40 continuous days.

Wearing Rudraksha Rosary

This rosary is worn after proper sanctification with Mantras preferably at a Shiva Temple. It is best to wear the rosary for the first time on a Monday immediately after the sanctification process. One other thing to be noted is that the same Mala is not used for wearing as well as Japa purpose. Also the rosary worn cannot be exchanged or swapped even between family members. However, a rudraksha mala can be willed and passed on to the next generation. Wearing the rudraksha beads rosary helps to raise Kundalini and open the Heart Chakra. This Beads have healing and curative properties and helps to lower blood pressure, stress, anger etc and creates stability within the entire system.

It is advisable to remove the mala when going to sleep and worn in the morning after bath and chanting Shiva panchakshri mantra (Om Namah Shivay) 108 times except when on travel. When not worn the mala should be stored in a clean and sacred space, preferably on a personal alter or near the statue of a deity. These beads not worn to toilets, during periods of menstrual bleeding or while attending funerals. Proper care should be taken while cleaning the beads. More on Rudraksha and the individual power of beads can be found on my Blog 'The Power of Rudraksha Beads'.