ABOUT RUDRAKSH TREE : ORIGIN, HISTORY, TYPES AND ITS BENEFITS :

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RUTHRATCHAM TREE :Rudraksh is an auspicious bead, used as prayer beads?for?Hindus,?Buddhists?and?Sikhs.?When they are ripe,?rudraksha?beads are covered by an inedible blue outer fruit so they are sometimes called "blueberry beads.?

This spiritual bead is considered a personification of Bhagwan Shiv, Rudraksh is a compound term in Sanskrit, which means Bhagwan Shiv's teardrop (Split into two words) - Rudra (Bhagwan Shiv's Vedic name) and Aksh - Teardrop.

Other sources state that "Aksh" is also an eye, which means Rudraksh represent Bhagwan Shiv's eye.?The Rudraksh? are commonly worn for protection and for chanting?mantras?such as?Om Namah Shivaya. They are primarily sourced from?India,?Indonesia, Nepal, parts of Australia, Guam and Hawaii?for jewellery and?malas?(garlands) and valued similarly to semi-precious / precious stones.?Rudraksh?can have up to Twenty-seven "faces / Mukh" or?locules?- naturally ingrained longitudinal lines which divide the stone into segments. Each face represents a particular deity.?

RUDRAKSH TREE?:

Of the 300 species of?Elaeocarpus, 35 are found in India. The principal species of this?genus?is?Elaeocarpus ganitrus, which has the?common name?of "Rudraksh?tree", and is found from?the Gangatic plain?in the foothills of the?Himalayas?to?Nepal,?South?and?Southeast Asia, parts of?Australia,?Guam, and?Hawaii.

Elaeocarpus ganitrus?trees grow to 60–80?ft (18–24?m). They are evergreen trees which grow quickly, and as they mature their roots form buttresses, rising up near the trunk and radiating out along the surface of the ground.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT RUDRAKSH TREE :

• There are more than 300 species of Rudraksh?found across the world. ?
• India has around 35 different species.
• Rudraksh trees in India are grown 3000 mts above the sea level.
• It grows in a narrow space.
• The leaves of tree resembles tamarind leaves.
• One tree yielded around 1 to 2 thousands fruits a year.

Many ancient scriptures in Hinduism detailed the specifications of this specific species. Unlike other trees, Rudraksh trees are grey in color. It take three to four years to bear fruit after germination. Besides when the tree matures, the roots of the tree form a defense. It rises up and radiates across the ground surface.? ?

RUDRAKSH TREES IN HIMALAYAN REGION?:

The Rudraksh trees that grow in the Himalayan region holds the highest power, strength and healing properties. Himalayas (Kailash), being a holy mountain is considered to be the abode of Bhagwan Shiv, surrounded by the rivers. The trees and beads that grow in this region hold supreme power. The Rudraksh bead has a hard surface and deep projections. The beads from Nepal and Indian trees show grooved and deep projections on the surface which indicates deep valleys and hills.

RUDRAKSH TREE - LEAVES, FLOWERS AND FRUITS?

Apart from the spiritual healing, all parts of the Rudraksh trees have the medicinal properties. The tree appears like a mango tree and usually large. The tree sheds its leaves and re-grows the fresh once naturally. The leaves of the tree contain anti-bacterial properties. In ancient days, the leaves were used to treat wounds. The white flowers of Rudraksh trees grow in big bunch. It looks beautiful and majestic to witness the blossoms during the months of November and December. The tree bears the fruits during the months of January and February.

In Ayurved, the ancient medical systems uses all parts of the Rudraksh tree for healing and balancing the body and mind.

• Rudraksh tree leaves treat a number of conditions like headache, migraine, epilepsy and mental disorders.
• The outer layer of the fruit was used to treat cold, flu and fever.
• The leaves / fruits skin is used to purify blood.

According to?Ayurvedic texts, Rudraksh strengthens ones body, enhances immunity, evokes natural healing powers and promotes overall health.??

DIFFERENT TYPE OF RUDRAKSH BEADS FROM THE TREE :

Rudraksh tree yields the seeds in different forms. It is auspiciously termed "Mukhi" which means "Face".?

The common color of the bead is brown. However, it is also available in other colors which include black, yellow, white and red.

One can get, 1 Mukhi to 27 Mukhi Rudraksh beads. Lately, 27 Mukhi Rudraksh is found in Nepal. 1 Mukhi Rudraksh is the rarest and most auspicious bead. 4 Mukhi, 5 Mukhi and 6 Mukhi Rudraksh beads are very common in all the places. There are other kinds of Rudraksh bead as mentioned below :

• Gauri Shankar Rudraksh is a special and rare type of bead where two Rudraksh beads are co-joined.
• Ganapathi Rudraksh is another special type of bead which appears with a trunk like projection from the body.
• One?Mukhi Rudraksh is called Sawar.
• Trijuti - Three Rudraksh are co-joined naturally.?

CAN YOU GROW RUDRAKSH TREE AT HOME :

Anyone can plant and nurture the Rudraksh trees at home. It doesn't need any specific climatic conditions to grow. However, you must ensure to prepare the soil before planting or seeding. You can grow Rudraksh tree by planting a sapling or soiling a special bead. It takes about a year to sprout. Rudraksh sapling also make an ideal gift to the Mandirs, to near and dear ones.?

Upanishads?describe the construction, wearing, and use?rudraksh?garlands?as well as their historical?origin as the tears of?Rudra.

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Rishi Guha replied: (It is made of any one of the following 10 materials) Coral, Pearl, Crystal, Conch, Silver, Gold, Sandal, Putra-Jivika, Lotus, or Rudraksh. Each head must be devoted and thought of as presided over by the deities of Akar?to Kshakar. Golden thread should bind the beads through the holes. On its right silver (caps) and left copper. The face of a bead should face, the face of another head and tail, the tail. Thus a circular formation must be made.