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[Taken from http://www.rudraksharemedy.com/devi-bhagavatam.htm]

What is Rudraaksh
Shree Naaraayan said :-- "O Naarad, There are the six kinds of Aachaman :-- (1) Shuddha, (2) Smaart, (3) Pauraanik, (4) Vaidik, (5) Taantrik and (6) Shraut. The act of cleaning after evacuating oneself of urine and faeces is known as Shuddha Shauch. After cleaning, the Aachaman, that is performed according to rules, is named as Smaarta and Pauraanik. In places where the Brahmaa Yagya is performed, the Vaidik and Shraut Aachaman are done. And where acts, eg the knowledge of warfare are being executed, the Taantrik Aachaman is done. Then he should remember the Gaayatree Mantra with Pranava (Om) and fasten the lock of hair on the crown of his head, thus controlling all the hindrances (Vighn Bandhan). Sipping again, he is to touch his heart, two arms, and his two shoulders. After sneezing, spitting, touching the lower lip with teeth, accidentally telling a lie, and talking with a very sinful man, he is to touch his right ear (where the several Devtaa reside). On the right ear of the Braahman reside Fire, Water, the Ved, the Moon, the Sun, and the Vaayu (wind).

Then one is to go to a river or any other reservoir of water, and there to perform one's morning ablutions and to cleanse his body thoroughly. For the body is always unclean and dirty and various diets are being excreted out of the nine holes (doors) in the body. The morning bath removes all these impurities. Therefore the morning bath is essentially necessary. The sins that arise from going to those who are not fit for such purposes, from accepting gifts from impure persons or from the practice of any other secret vices all are removed by the morning ablutions. Without this bath, no acts bear any fruit. Therefore everyday, this morning bath is very necessary. Taking the Kushaa grass in hand, one is to perform one's bath and Sandhyaa. If for seven days, the morning ablutions are not taken, and if for three days, the Sandhyaa are not performed, if for twelve days, the daily Hom be not performed, the Braahman become Shoodras. The time for making the Hom in the morning is very little; therefore lest ablutions be done fully which would take a long time and hence the time for the Hom might elapse, the morning bath should be performed quickly. After the bath the Praanaayaam is to be done. Then the full effects of bath are attained. There is nothing holier in this world or in the next than reciting the Gaayatree Mantra. It saves the singer who sings the Gaayatree; hence it is called Gaayatree. During the time of Praanaayaam, one must control one's Praan and Apaan Vaayu to make them equal. The Braahman, knowing the Ved and devoted to his Dharm, must practice Praanaayaam three times with the repetition of Gaayatree and Pranav and the three Vyaarhiti (Om Bhu, Om Bhuvar, Om Swah).

While practicing, the muttering of Gaayatree is to be done three times. In Praanaayaam, only the Vaidik Mantra is to be repeated, never a Laukik Mantra (see Kinds of Mantra) is to be uttered. At the time of Praanaayaam, if anybody's mind be not fixed, even for a short while, like a mustard seed on the apex of a cow-horn, he cannot save even 101 persons in his father's or in his mother's line. Praanaayaam is called Sa-Garbha when performed with the repetition of some Mantra; it is called A-Garbhaa when it is done simply with mere meditation, without repeating any Mantra. After the bathing, the Tarpan with its accompaniments, is to he done; ie the peace offerings are made with reference to the Devtaa, the Rishi, and the Pitri (whereby we invoke the blessings from the subtle planes where the high-souled persons dwell). After this, a clean pair of clothes is to be worn and then he should get up and come out of the water. The next things preparatory to practice Jap are to wear the Tilak marks of ashes and to put on the Rudraaksh beads.

He who holds 32 Rudraaksha beads on his neck, 40 on his head, six on each ear (12 on two ears), 24 beads on two hands (12 on each hand) 32 beads on two arms (16 on each arm), one bead on each eye and one bead on the hair on the crown, and 108 beads on the breast, (251 in all) becomes himself Mahaadev. One is expected to use them as such. O Muni, You can use the Rudraaksh after tying, stringing together with gold or silver always on your Shikhaa, the tuft of hair on the head or on your ears. On the holy thread, on the hands, on the neck, or on the belly (abdomen) one can keep the Rudraaksh after one has repeated sincerely and with devotion the five lettered Mantra of Shiv, or one has repeated the Pranav (Om). Holding the Rudraaksh implies that the man has realized the knowledge of Shiv Tattwa.

O Braahman, The Rudraaksh bead that is placed on the tuft or on the crown hair represents the Taar Tattwa, ie Omkaar; the Rudraaksh beads that are held on the two ears are to be thought of as Dev and Devee, (Shiv and Shivaa). The 108 Rudraaksa beads on the sacrificial thread are considered as the 108 Vedas (signifying the Full Knowledge, as 16 digits (Kalaa) of the Moon completed; Rudraaksh on the arms, are considered as the Dik (directions or quarters); Rudraaksh on the neck, are considered as the Devee Saraswatee and Agni (fire). The Rudraaksa beads ought to be taken by men of all colors and castes. The Braahman, Kshatriya and Vaishya should hold them after purifying them with Mantra, ie knowingly; whereas the Shoodra can take them without any such purification by the Mantra, ie unknowingly. By holding or putting on the Rudraaksh beads, persons become the Rudra incarnate in flesh and body. There is no doubt in this. By this all the sins arising from seeing, hearing, remembering, smelling, eating prohibited things, talking incoherently, doing prohibited things etc. are entirely removed with the Rudraaksh beads on the body; whatever acts, eating, drinking, smelling etc are done, are, as it were done by Rudra Dev himself."

Birth of Rudraaksh
Naarad said :-- "O Sinless one, The greatness of the Rudraaksh seed that you have described is verily such. Now I ask why is this Rudraaksh so much entitled to worship by the people. Please speak clearly on this point." Naaraayan spoke :-- "O Child! This is the very question that was asked once by Kaartik, the six faced one, to Bhagavaan Rudra, dwelling in Kailaash. What he replied, I say that now. Listen, Rudra Dev spoke :-- "O Child Shadaanan, I will dwell briefly on the secret cause of the greatness of the Rudraaksh seed. Hear. In days of yore, there was a Daitya called Tripuraa who could not be conquered by any body. Brahmaa, Vishnu and the other Dev were defeated by him. They then came to me and requested me to kill that Asur. At their request, I called in my mind the Divine Great weapon, named Aghor, beautiful and terrible and containing the strength of all the Devtaa, to kill him. It was inconceivable and it was blazing with fire.

For full Divine 1,000 years I remained awake with eyelids wide open in thinking of the Aghor weapon, the destroyer of all obstacles, whereby the killing of Tripuraasur might be effected and the troubles of the Devtaa be removed. Not for a moment my eyelids dropped. Thereby my eyes were affected and drops of water came out of my eyes. Note here. How enemies are to be killed. It requires great thought, great concentration, great Yog and great powers. O Mahaasenaa, From those drops of water coming out of my eyes, the great tree of Rudraaksh did spring for the welfare of all. This Rudraaksh seed is of 38 varieties. From My Soorya Netra, ie My right eye, symbolizing the Sun, 12 yellow colored (Pingal color) varieties came out; and from my left eye representing the Moon, the Som Netra, 16 varieties of white color came out and from my third eye on the top, representing Fire, ie the Agni Netra, 10 varieties of black color came out. Of these the white Rudrâksams are Braahman and they are used by the Braahman; the red colored ones are the Kshatriya and should be used by the Kshatriya and the black ones are Shoodra and should be used by the Vaishyas and the Shoodra.

Types of Rudraaksh
The 1-faced Rudraaksh seed is the Shiv himself, made manifest and rendered vivid; even the sin incurred in killing a Braahman is destroyed thereby. The 2-faced or two headed Rudraaksh is like the Dev and the Devee. Two sorts of sins are destroyed thereby. The 3-faced Rudraaksha is like fire; the sin incurred in killing a woman is destroyed in a moment. The 4-faced Rudraaksh seed is like Brahmaa and removes the sin of killing persons. The 5-faced Rudraaksh is verily an image of Rudra; all sorts of sins, eg eating prohibited food, going to the ungoables etc are destroyed thereby. The 6-faced Rudraaksh is Kaartikeya. It is to be worn on the right hand. One becomes free of the Brahm Hatyaa sin. There is no manner of doubt in this. The 7-faced Rudraaksh is named Anang. Holding this frees one from the sin of stealing gold etc. O Mahaasenaa, The 8-faced Rudraaksh is Vinaayak. Holding this frees one from the sin of holding an illicit contact with a woman of a bad family and with the wife of one's Guru, etc. and other sins as well. It enables one to acquire heaps of food, cotton, and gold; and in the end the Highest Place is attained. The fruit of holding the 8-faced Rudrâksa seed has been said.

Now I will talk of the 9-faced Rudraaksh. It is verily the Bhairav made manifest. It should be worn on the left hand. By this, the people get both Bhog (enjoyment) and Moksh (liberation) and they become powerful like me and get themselves freed at once, without the least delay, of the sins incurred by committing thousands of abortions, hundreds of Brahm Hatyaa (killing the Braahman). Holding the 10-faced Rudraaksh is verily wearing Janaardan, the Dev of the Dev. The holding of which pacifies the evils caused by planets, Pishaach, Vetaal, Brahm Raakshas, and Pannag. The 11-faced Rudraaksh is like the 11 Rudra themselves. The fruits, the efficacy of which I now describe. Hear, The fruits obtained through the performance of one thousand horse sacrifices, one hundred Vaajpeya sacrifices, and making gifts of one hundred thousand cows are obtained thereby.

If one wears the 12-headed Rudraaksh on one's ear, the Aaditya get satisfied. The fruits of performing Go-medh and Ashwamedh sacrifices are obtained thereby. No fear comes from burned buffaloes, armed enemies and wolves and tigers and other murderous animals. Also the several diseases of the body never come to him. The holder of the 12-faced Rudraaksh seed feels always happy and he is the master of some kingdoms. He becomes freed of the sins incurred in killing elephants, horses, deer, cats, snakes, mice, frogs, asses, foxes and various other animals.

O Child, The 13-faced Rudraaksh is very rare; if anybody gets it, he becomes like Kaartikeya and gets all desires fulfilled; and the eight Siddhi are under his grasp. He learns how to make gold, silver and other metals; he attains all sorts of enjoyments. There is no manner of doubt in this. O Shadaanan, If anybody holds the 13-faced Rudraaksh, he becomes freed from the sins incurred in killing mother, father and brothers.

O Son, If one holds on one's head the 14-faced Rudraaksh always, one becomes like Shiv. O Muni, What more shall I speak to you, the Devtaa pay their respects to one holding the 14-faced Rudraaksh and he in the end attains the Highest Goal, the state of Shiva. His body becomes verily the body of Shiv.

The Dev always worship the Rudraaksh seed; the highest goal is attained by wearing the Rudraaksh. The Braahman should hold on their heads at least one Rudraaksh with devotion. A rosary of twenty-six Rudraaksh is to be made and tied on the head. Similarly a rosary of 50 seeds is to be worn and suspended on the breast; 16 each on each of the two arms; 24 Rudraaksh to be worn on the wrists, 12 on each wrist. O Shadaanan, If a rosary be made of 108, 50 or 27 Rudraaksh and if Jaap is done with that, immeasurable merits are obtained. If anybody wears a rosary of 108 seeds, he gets at every moment the fruit of performing the Ashwamedh sacrifices and uplifts his 21 generations and finally he resides in the Shiv Lok."

How to Count Jap
Eeshwar said :-- "O Kaartikeya, Now I will speak how to count the Jap (repetition of the Mantra) with the rosary. Hear, The face of Rudraaksh is Brahmaa; the upper summit point is Shiv and the tail end of Rudraaksh is Vishnu. The Rudraaksh has two-fold powers :-- It can give Bhog (Enjoyment) as well as Moksh (Liberation). Then string or tie together, like a cow's tail, and like the snake's coiling a body, 25 5-faced Rudraaksh seeds, thorny and of red, white, mixed colors bored through and through. The rosary is to taper as a cow's tail tapers down. In stringing the beads into a rosary, it should be seen that the flat face of one Rudraaksh is in front of the flat face of another Rudraaksh; so the tail, the pointed end of one, must come in front of the tail or the narrower end of another. The Meru or the topmost bead of the string must have its face turned upwards and the knot should be given over that. The rosary, thus strung, yields success of the Mantra (Mantra-Siddhi).

When the rosary is strung, it is to be bathed with clear and scented water and afterwards with the Panchagavya (cow-dung, cow urine, curd, milk, and ghee); then wash it with clear water and sanctify it with the condensed electrical charge of the Mantra. Then recite the Mantra of Shiv (Six limbed), with “Hoom” added and collect the rosaries. Then repeat over them the Mantra “Sadyojaat, etc.”, and sprinkle water over it 108 times. Then utter the principal Mantra and place them on a holy ground and perform Nyaas over it, ie think that the Great Cause Shiv and the World-Mother Bhagavatee have come on them. Thus make the Sanskaar of the rosary (of its puriication) and you will find then that your desired end will be attained successfully. Worship the rosary with the Mantra of that Devtaa for which it is intended. One is to wear the Rudraaksh rosary on one's head, neck or ear and controlling oneself, one should do Jap with the rosary. On the neck, head, breast, or the ears or on the arms, the rosary should he held with the greatest devotion.

What is the use in saying about it so often? It is highly meritorious and commendable to hold always the Rudraaksh. Especially on such occasions as taking baths, making gifts, making Jap, performing the Hom or sacrifices to Vishwe Dev, in performing the Poojaa of the Devtaa in making Praayashchit (penances), in the time of Shraadh and in the time of initiation, it is highly necessary to hold Rudraaksh. A Braahman is sure to go to hell if he performs any Vaidik act without wearing any Rudraaksh.

Rules to Wear Rudraaksh
It is advisable to use the true Rudraaksh with gold and jewel, on the head, neck or on one's hand. Never use the Rudraaksh worn by another person. Use Rudraaksh always with devotion; never use it while you are impure. Even the grass that grows with the air in contact with the Rudraaksh tree, goes verily to a holy region for ever. Jaabaal Muni says in the Shruti :-- "lf a man wearing Rudraaksh commits a sin, he gets deliverance from that sin. Even if animals hold Rudraaksh, they become Shiv; what of men.? The devotees of Shree Rudra should always use at least one Rudraaksa on the head. Those great devotees, who with Rudraaksh on take the name of the Highest Self Shambhu, get themselves freed of all sorts of sins and pains. Those who are ornamented with Rudraaksh are the best devotees. It is highly incumbent on those who want their welfare to wear Rudraaksh. Those who hold Rudraaksh on their ears, crown hair, neck, hands, and breast, get Brahmaa, Vishnu, and Maheshwar under them as their Vibhooti (manifestations, powers). The Devtaa and all those Rishi that started the Gotra, the Aadi-Purush (the first chief men in several families), held with reverence the Rudraakshs. All the other Muni, that descended from their families, the ardent followers of Shraut Dharm, the pure souled, held the Rudraaksh. It may be, that many might not like at first to hold this Rudraaksam, the visible giver of liberation and so well written in the Ved; but after many births, out of the Grace of Mahaadev many become eager to take the Rudraaksh. The Muni that are the Jaabaal Saakhee are famous in expounding the inestimable greatness of Rudraaksh.

Greatness of Rudraaksh
The effect of holding Rudraaksh is well known in the three worlds. Punyam (great merit) arises from the mere sight of Rudraaksh; ten million times that merit arises by its touch; and by wearing it, 100 Koti (100 Crore, or 1 billion) times the fruit arises and if one does Jap every day, then one Laakh Koti times the Punya arises. There is no manner of questionings in this.

He who holds in his hand, breast, neck, ears, head, the Rudraaksh, becomes an image of Rudra. There is no manner of doubt in this. By holding Rudraaksh, men become invulnerable of all the beings, become respected, like Mahaadev, by the Devtaa and Asur and they roam on the earth like Rudra. Even if a man be addicted to evil deeds and commits all sorts of sins, he becomes respected by all, on holding Rudraaksh. By this men are freed of the sin of taking Uchhisht and of all the other sins. Even if you suspend a Rudraaksh rosary on the neck of a dog and if that dog dies in that state, he gets liberation. Then what to speak of others? By holding Rudraaksh, men even if they be devoid of Jap and Dhyaan, become free of all sins and attain the highest state. Even if one holds merely one Rudraaksh seed purified and surcharged with Mantra Shakti, he uplifts his 21 generations, gets to Heaven and resides there with respect. I am speaking now further of the Greatness of Rudraaksh.

Eeshwar said :-- "O Kaartikeya, Kushagranthi, Jeevapatree and other rosaries cannot compare even to 1/16th part of the Rudraaksh rosary. As Vishnu is the best of all the Purush, the Gangaa is the best of all the rivers, Kashyap is the highest amongst the Muni, Uchchaihsravaa horse amongst all the horses, Mahaadev amongst all the Devtaa, Bhagavatee amongst all the Devee, so the Rudraaksh rosary is the best of all the rosaries. All the fruits that occur by reading the Stotra and holding all the Vrat (fasts), are obtained by wearing the Rudraaksh bead. At the time of making the A-Kshaya gift, the Rudraaksh bead is capable of giving high merits. The merit that accrues by giving Rudraaksh to a peaceful devotee of Shiv, cannot be expressed in words. If anybody gives food to a man holding the Rudraaksh rosary, his 21 generations are uplifted and he ultimately becomes able to live in the Rudra Lok. He who does not apply ashes on his forehead and who does not hold Rudraaksh and is averse to the worship of Shiv is inferior to a Chaandaal. If Rudraaksh be placed on the head then the flesh-eaters, drunkards, and the associates with the vicious become freed of their sins. Whatever fruits are obtained by performing various sacrifices, asceticism and the study of the Vedas are easily attained by simply holding the Rudraaksh rosary. Whatever merits are obtained by reading the four Vedas and all the Puraan and bathing in all the Teerth and the results that are obtained by immense practice in learning all are obtained by wearing Rudraaksh. If at the time of death, one wears Rudraaksh and dies, one attains Rudrahood. One has not to take again his birth. If anybody dies by holding Rudraaksh on his neck or on his two arms, he uplifts his 21 generations and lives in the Rudra Lok. Be he a Braahman or a Chaandaal, be he with qualities or without qualities, if he applies ashes to his body and holds Rudraaksh he surely attains Shivhood. Be he pure or impure; whether he eats uneatables or be he a Mlechchha or a Chaandaal or a Great Sinner, any body if he holds Rudraaksh is surely equal to Rudra. There is no doubt in this.

If any body holds Rudraaksh on his head he gets Koti times the fruit; on his ears, ten Koti times the fruit, on his neck, one hundred Koti times the fruit; on his holy thread, Ayut times the fruit; on his arm, one Laakh Koti times the fruit and if one wears Rudraaksh on one's wrist, one attains Moksa. Whatever acts, mentioned in the Vedas be performed with Rudraaksh on, the fruits obtained are unbounded. Even if a man be without any Bhakti and if he wears on his neck the Rudraaksh rosary though he does always vicious acts, he becomes freed of the bondage of this world. Even if a man does not hold Rudraaksh but if he be always full of devotion towards the Rudraaksh, he attains the fruit that is got by wearing the Rudraaksh and he attains the Shiv Lok and is honored like Shiv. As in the country of Keekat, an ass which used to carry Rudraaksh seed got Shivhood after his death, so any man, whether he be a Gyaanee (wise) or A-Gyaanee (unwise), gets Shivhood if he holds Rudraaksh. There is no doubt in this."

Story of the Ass
Skand said :-- “O God, How is it that in the country of Keekat (Bihar), an ass had to carry Rudraaksh; who gave him the Rudraaksh? And what for did he hold that?”

Bhagavaan Eeshwar said :-- "O Son, Now hear the history of the case. In the Vindhya mountains one ass used to carry the load of Rudraaksh of a traveler. Once the ass felt tired and became unable to carry the load and fell down on the road and died. After his death the ass came to me by my Grace, becoming Maheshwar with trident in his hand and with three eyes. O Kaartikeya, As many faces as there are in the Rudraaksh, for so many thousand Yugas the holder resides with honor in the Shiv Lok. One should declare the greatness of Rudraaksh to one's own disciple; never to disclose its glories to one who is not a disciple nor a devotee of Rudraaksh nor to him who is an illiterate brute. Be he a Bhakt or not a Bhakt, be be low or very low, if he holds Rudraaksh then he is freed from all sins. No equal can be to the merit of him who holds the Rudraaksh.

The Muni, the Seers of truth, describe this holding on of Rudraaksh as a very great vow. He who makes a vow to hold 1,000 Rudraaksh, becomes like Rudra hi8mself; the Devtaa bow down before him. If 1,000 Rudraaksh be not obtained, one should hold at least 16 Rudraaksh on each arm, one Rudraaksh on the crown hair; 24 on the two hands, 12 on each; 32 on the neck; 40 on the head; six on each ear and 108 Rudraaksh on the breast; and then he becomes entitled to worship like Rudra. If any body holds Rudraaksh together with pearls, Prabaal, crystal, silver, gold and gem (lapis lazuli), he becomes a manifestation of Shiv. If a body, through laziness even, holds Rudraaksh, the sin cannot touch him as darkness cannot come near light. If any body makes Jap of a Mantra with a Rudraaksh rosary, he gets unbounded results. Such a merit giving Rudraaksh, if one such Rudraaksh be not found in any one's body, his life becomes useless, like a man who is void of Tripundrak (three curved horizontal marks made on the forehead by the worshippers of Shiv). If any body simply washes his head all over with Rudraaksh on, he gets the fruit of bathing in the Ganges. There is no doubt in this. One faced Rudraaksh, the 5-faced, 11-faced and 14-faced Rudraaksh are highly meritorious and entitled to worship by all. The Rudraaksh is Shankar made manifest; so it is always worshipped with devotion. The greatness of Rudraaksh is such as it can make a king out of a poor man. On this point, I will tell you an excellent Pauraanik anecdote.

Story From a Puraan
There was a Braahman, named Girinaath in the country of Kosal. He was proficient in the Veda and Vedaang, religious and very rich. He used to perform sacrifices. He had a beautiful son named Gunanidhi. The son gradually entered into his youth and looked beautiful like Kandarp (Kaamdev), the God of Love. While he was studying at his Guru Sudheesan's house, he, by his beauty and youth captivated the mind of his Guru's wife named Muktaavalee. The Guru's wife became so much enchanted by his extraordinary beauty that she, being unable to control herself, mixed with him and for some time remained with him in secret enjoyment. Then feeling inconveniences, due to the fear of his Guru, to enjoy her freely, gave poison to the Guru, killed him and then he began to live freely with her. Next when his father and mother came to know about this, he put both his father and mother to death instantly, administering poison to them. He became addicted to various pleasures and his wealth was exhausted gradually. He began to steal in Braahman's houses and became addicted very much to drinking. His relatives outcast him from the society for his bad behavior and banished him outside the town. He then went into a dense forest with Muktaavalee; and he began to kill the Braahman for their wealth. Thus a long time passed away; when at last he fell into the jaws of death.

Then to take him to the region of Death, thousands of the Yama's messengers came; at the same time the Shiv's messengers also came from Shiv Lok. O Kaartikeya, A quarrel then ensued between both the parties of Yam and Shiv. The Yam's messengers then said :-- “O Servers of Shambhu, What are the merits of this man that you have come to take him? First speak to us of his merits.” Shiv's messengers spoke :-- “Fifteen feet below the ground where this man died, there exists the Rudraaksh. O Yam's messengers, By the influence of that Rudraaksh, all his sins are destroyed; and we have come to take him to Shiv.” Then the Braahman Gunanidhi assumed a divine form and, getting on an aerial car went with Shiv's messengers before Shiv. O One of good vows, Thus I have described briefly to you the greatness of Rudraaksh. This is capable to remove all sorts of sins and yield great merits.

Shree Naaraayan said :-- "O Naarad, When Gireesh thus explained to Kaartikeya the greatness of Rudraaksh, he became satisfied. Now I have spoken to you of the glories of the Rudraaksh as far as I know. Now, as to our subject of right way of acting, I will now speak on other things that ought to be known. Listen. The seeing of Rudraaksh brings in a Laakh times of Puny and Koti times the merit arises from touching that; holding it brings in Koti times merit; again if one makes the Jap of a Mantra with that Rudraaksh, one obtains merit one hundred Laakh Koti times and one thousand Laakh Koti times the merit. The merit in holding the Rudraaksh is far superior to that in holding Bhadraaksh. The Rudraaksh seed that is of the size of an Aamalakee is the best; which is the of the size of a plum, is middling; and which is of the size of a gram is the worst; this is my word and promise.

The Rudraaksh tree is of four kinds :-- Braahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shoora. The white color is Braahman; the red color is Kshatriya; the yellow color is Vaishya and the black colored Rudraaksh seed is Shoodra. The Braahman are to use the white colored Rudraaksh; the Kshatriya, the red colored ones, the Vaishya, the yellow colored ones; and the Shoodra, the black ones. Those Rudraaksh seeds that are nicely circular, smooth, hard, and whose thorns or points are distinctly visible, are the best. Those that are pierced by insects, broken in parts, whose thorns are not clearly visible, with swells and holes and those that are coated over, these six varieties of Rudraaksh are faulty. Those Rudraaksh that have their holes by nature running through and through are best; and those that base their holes pierced by men are middling. The Rudraaksh seeds that are all of uniform shape, bright, hard, and beautifully circular should be strung together by a silken thread. How to test the Rudraaksh seed? As gold is tested by a touch stone; so the Rudraaksh is tested by drawing lines on it; those on which the lines are most uniform, bright and beautiful are the best and they should be worn by the Shaiv.

One should hold one Rudraksh on the crown hair, 30 on the head, 36 on the neck; 16 on each arm, 12 on each wrist, fifty on the shoulders, 108 Rudraaksh in the place of the sacrificial thread; and the devotee should have two or three rounds on the neck. On the earrings, on the crown of the head, the head, on bracelets, on armlets, on necklace, on the ornament worn on the loins one should hold Rudraaksh always, whether one sleeps or eats. Holding 300 Rudraaksh is the lowest; holding 500 is middling; holding 1,000 Rudraaksh is the best; so one ought to wear 1,000 Rudraaksh. At the time of taking Rudraaksh, on one's head, one should utter the Mantra of Eeshaan; the Mantra of Tat-Purush while holding on one's ears; Aghor Mantra on one's forehead and heart; and the Beej of Aghor mantra, i.e., “hasau” while holding on one's hands. One should wear the rosary of 50 Rudraaksh seeds, suspended up to the belly, uttering the Vaamdeva Mantra, i.e., Sadyojaataadi etc, the five Brahmaa Mantras, and the six-limbed Shiv Mantra. One is to string every Rudraaksh seed, uttering the root mantra and then hold it. One-faced Rudraaksh reveals Paraa-tattwa (the highest Tattwa); when worn, the knowledge of the highest Tattwa arises; the Brahmaa is seen then. The 2-faced Rudraaksh is Ardh-Naareeshwar, the Lord of the other half which represents women (in the same person); if worn, Ardh-Naareeshwar Shiv is always pleased with that man who holds it. The three-faced Rudraaksham is Fire made manifest; it destroys in a moment the sin of killing a woman.

The 3-faced Rudraaksh is the three Agnis, Daksinaagni, Gaarhapatya, and Aahavaneeya; Bhagavaan Agni is always pleased with that man who wears the 3-faced Rudraaksh. The 4-faced Rudraaksh is Brahmaa himself. The wearer gets his prosperity enhanced, his diseases destroyed, the divine knowledge springs in him and his heart is always pleased. The 5-faced Rudraaksh is the 5-faced Shiv himself; Mahaadev gets pleased with him who holds it. The Presiding Deity of the 6-faced Rudraaksh is Kaartikeya. Some Pandits take Ganapati to be the Presiding Deity of the 6-faced Rudraaksh. The presiding Deity of the 7-faced Rudraaksh is the seven Maatrikaa, the Sun and the seven Rishi. By putting on this, the prosperity is increased, health and the pure knowledge are established. It should be put on when one becomes pure.

The Presiding Deity of the 8-faced Rudraaksh is Braahmee, the eight Maatrikaa. By holding this, the eight Vasus are pleased and the river Ganges is also pleased. The putting on of this makes the Jeev truthful and pleasant-minded. The Devtaa of the 9-faced Rudraaksh is Yam; holding this puts off the fears of Death. The Devtaa of the 11-faced Rudraaksh is ten quarters, the ten quarters are pleased with him who wears the 10-faced Rudraaksh. The Devata of the 11-mouthed Rudraaksh is the eleven Rudra and Indra. Holding this enhances happiness. The 12-faced Rudraaksh is Vishnu made manifest; its Devtaa are the twelve Aaditya; the devotees of Shiv should hold this. The 13-faced Rudraaksh, if worn, enables one to secure one's desires; he does nowhere experience failures. The Kaamdev becomes pleased with him who wears this. The 14-faced Rudraaksh destroys all diseases and gives eternal health. While holding this, one ought not to take wine, flesh, onion, garlic, Sagyaa fruit, Chaaltaa fruit and the flesh of the boar which eats excrements, etc. During the Lunar and Solar eclipses, during the Uttaraayan Sankraanti or the Dakshinaayan Sankraanti, during the full Moon or the New Moon day, if Rudraaksh be worn, one becomes instantly freed of all one's sins.
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