 MALA PRAYER BEADS AND THEIR
SPIRITUAL MEDICINAL EFFECTS
The Composition of a Japa Mala or
Rosary
Prayer Mala or Japa Mala ( Rosary ) is used to keep a
count on the chantings of a particular Mantra for
example the Gayatri Mantra. Therefore, as such, there is
no specification of the Beads used in the Rosary.
However, Rudraksha Rosary has come into use for a long
time as this Rosary can be used for chantings as well as
being worn around the neck in view of the wonderful
effects of the Rudraksha Beads. The Rudraksha Japa
Mala should contain 108 beads. The Beads used should be
of Panchamukhi.
It would still be better to have in a Rosary 99 Panchamukhi
Rudrakshas and the other remaining 9 in the following
order (1) Dwimukhi (2) Trimukhi (3) Chaturmukhi (4)
Shanmukhi (5) Saptamukhi (6) Ashtamukhi (7) Navamukhi
(8) Dashamukhi (9) Ekaadashamukhi. When these are used the
user will get full benefits.
Further, the order of the Beads should follow a scheme. After
the first 8 Panchamukhi Rudrakshas, the 9th
one should be Dwimukhi, 27th one should be
Trimukhi, 36th one should be Chaurmukhi, 54th
should be Shanmukhi, 63rd should be
Saptamukhi, 72nd should be Ashtamukhi, 81st
should be Navamukhi, 90th should be Dasamukhi
and 99th should be Ekaadashamukhi. By
following this scheme the total Rudrasha Beads in the
Rosary would be 108.
If the above Rosary is used, the user shall
experience the power of Rudraksha.
The origin of Rudraksha Beeds
It has been mentioned in the scriptures that a Demon by the
name of Tripuraasura defeated the Devaas (angels) in a
war and became intoxicated with pride. He acquired
absolute power and control. The Devaas who were helpless
approached Lord Shiva and entreated him to protect them.
Lord Shiva reflected over the issue and meditated for
thirty three lakh human years with his eyes open. Then,
he closed his eyes. Soon thereafter, tears dropped from
His eyes and fell on the ground. The Rudraksha plants
sprouted from those spots. Rudrakshas comes in red,
white and black colors. Rudraksha means "Aksha"
of Rudra (i.e. the eyes of Shiva (Rudra ) indicating
that which has been out of drop which had fallen from
Shiva's eyes. The place where the Rudraksha Plants are
grown is known as Rudrakaaranya.
Rudraksha trees grow up to a height of 60 feet. These trees
look like Mango trees. The leaves of Rudraksha trees are
also like Mango tree leaves, but smaller and thinner. As
soon as the leaves are grown and become matured, the
leaves give way to white flowers. These flowers,
subsequently become fruits, fleshy with thick hard
skin. The seeds inside these fruits are the Rudraksha.
They are of the size of berries. The lines which are
present from top to bottom of the seeds are called the
"faces". The Rudraksha is said to have so many
"faces" as the number of lines present in it.
The Purifying Power of Rudraksha
Mala or Rosary
is made of Rudraksha Beads rather than any other Beads. The reason for this is that the person who is chanting is
supposed to focus his mind on the desired object. To put
it more simply, he is supposed to meditate on the chosen
object during chanting. The chanting which are oral die
away in due course and he becomes the object on which he
meditates.
For example, the Gayatri Mantra Reads as under:
OM BHUR – BHUVAH – SUVAH
TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM
BHARGO DEVASYA DHIMAHI
DHIYO YO NAH PRACODAYAT
This means as under:
Om, we meditate on the spiritual Effulgence of that Adorable
Supreme Reality, the Source or Projector of the three
Phenomenal World Planes – the Gross or Physical, the
Subtle Or Psychical and the Potential or Casual, both
macrocosmically and Microcosmically. May that Supreme
Divine Being stimulate our intelligence, so that we may
realize the Supreme Truth.
Normally the Sun is meditated upon as He is the only visible
Force.
During this Chanting, if the mind is wavering, without
getting focused, the chanting is useless.
It is very difficult to control the mind and bring it to a
focus. It has been stated in ancient Indian texts, that
a Mad Elephant can be tied with a sewing thread to
a spot, but it is very difficult to control the Mind.
Rudraksha, Being Divine, brings about purity of
mind and enables the chanter to focus his mind. A person
who wears a Rudraksha will be desisted by Divinity to
commit a wrong Act as Shiva is always a witness to his
Action.
The Spiritual Powers of Rudraksha Beads
The earliest literature of Hindus is the Vedas. The
Upanishads are the gist of Vedas. In these two ancient
literatures of the Hindus, the Spiritual Powers of the
Rudraksha has been spoken off very highly. This
apart, many scriptures
also explain in detail about the Divinity of
Rudraksha.
Parable 1
There was a Brahmin named Gunanidhi in Khosla Province. This
Brahmin had a son in the name of Subheshan. Father sent
his son to a Guru for Education. Son fell in love with
the wife of Guru. The wife of the Guru with the
connaivance of the son, poised the Guru and killed him.
The wife of the Guru and the Student lived happility.
When the parents of the student objected, he killed his
Parents. In due course, the student lost sensual
pleasure. He wasted all his wealth and became poor. All
the villagers avoided him. Then he migrated to forest
and started looting travelers.After some time, he died.
Messengers of Yama arrived to take his 'Prana".
Simultaneously, messages of Shiva also arrived.
Messengers of Yama declared " Omessengers of Shiva,
this man is great sinner. He has committed countless
sins. How come you arrived to take him away".
Messengers of Shiva replied " O messengers of Yama,
please dig out the Earth at the Place where this Man has
died".On digging, the Messengers of Yama, found a
Rudraksh seed. Shiva's messengers explained that in view
of this, this man has become great and took him directly
to Lord Shiva.
Parable 2
On one occasion, all Gods offered Lord Vishnu valuable gifts.
On that occasion, Paramashiva had sent a Rudraksha seed
as Gift. Though Vishnu was delighted, Lakshmi was not
happy. She decided to return the Rudraksha seed to
Shiva. However, Narada appeared on the scene and told
Lakshmi to sent Shiva Gold equivalent to the weight of
Rudraksha seed. She agreed. With all her wealth, she
could find that Rudraksha weighed heavier. She got
foxed. Then Vishnu Explained to her even the wealth of
fourteen worlds would be lighter than Rudraksha.Vishnu
advised Lakshmi to keep a "Vibhudi" fruit on
her Gold pan and then the weight became equal to that of
Rudraksha.
The above parables from the Devi Bhagavatham explain the
power of Rudraksha.
Miscellaneous Reliefs from Rudraksha
The sages have been unanimous in their opinion that the bad
effects of evil spirits and planetary afflictions are
warded off by the wearing of Rudraksha..
Therapeutic Values of Rudraksha
The Therapeutic Value of the Rudraksha could be discussed
under two sub-headings:
Therapeutic Value of Beads
Modern Scientific Research has indicated that Rudraksha
exhibits Electro- Magnetic Field.
Electro-Magnetic Therapy is an accepted Medical practice.
A number of ailments could be treated by
Electro-Magnetic Field. It has been scientifically
proved that Hypertension, Heart Diseases, Psychological
Stresses etc could be cured by wearing Rudraksha.
Further, it has power to kill microorganisms.
It has been mentioned in "Yogasara" that by wearing
Rudraksha in the neck which touches cardiac region,
Heart diseases are cured.
As per the sayings of various sages, wearing Rudraksha
modulates the Pranatava (vital force) of the body.
It has also been claimed that mental diseases and all types
of Phobias are cured by wearing Rudraksha. Further, in
view of the Magnetic Field Rudraksha has the power to
reduce psychological stress and the power to control
blood pressure.
Therapeutic Value of Rudraksha Tree, Leaves and Beads
Oil of Rudraksha is extensively used and injected in the
body. This practice is being followed in Indonesia,
Belgium and Tibet. The oil is being exported to America.
The paste or powder of rudraksha leaves administered to
patients of tuberculosis and gastro disorders were cured
by consuming the paste.
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