Rudrakshas are an inseparable part of a sadhu's attire. But very few people know about the healing properties of Rudraksha, which scientists call Elaeocarpus Angustifolius. It grows in Nepal, Indonesia, and Australia.

There are more than 30 varieties of this plant, defined by cuts on the plant itself. It is commonly called akmukhi, or dimukhi. The plant is made into beads and worn as a chain, generally, around the arm or as a pendant to rest on the plexus .

Rudraksha helps to sharpen the intuitive faculties and arouse inner peace.Spiritually inclined persons wear them to enhance concentration skills and to attain spiritual salvation. The sacred Rudraksha Bead symbolizes natural elements, planets, cosmic powers, and spiritual powers.

The beads emit electromagnetic waves to body cells, and is also known to help in conquering stress and other ailments such as insomnia, indigestion, depression, nervous disorders, psychosomatic ailments, skin diseases, alcoholism, and drug addiction.

The number of beads required to be worn has to be prescribed by a skilled Rudraksha healer on the
basis of the birth chart. Chanting mantras and facing
east is a must when wearing it for first time.

Some precautions must be observed (like its removal while visiting a crematorium or cemetery, during consumption of non-vegetarian food, while bathing or using the toilet, during sex and menstruation periods).

Getting an original Rudraksha is a problem as it is not easily available and quite expensive. The prospective buyer is often deceived and purchases imitations whcih are ineffective, though cheap. The Water Test: The Rudraksha should be tested by putting in a glass of water, if it sinks immediately, it is original, otherwise it is fake. Unfortunately, even this method of testing the Rudraksha is not foolproof.

The Rudraksha beads emit vibrations, which body cells accept
and absorb, and circulate through the body. Its garland (mala)
is made of 108 beads for the nine planets and twelve sub
planets (9 x 12 = 108). It is believed that chanting 108 times on
the mala can give protection from evil. In the Upanishads, the Rudraksha beads are mentioned as the tears of lord Shiva that fell on the earth during one of Shiva's meditation periods.

In Mumbai, Mr. P. K. Srivastav, a Rudraksha healer,
can be contacted at 269 3611 / 3622.