Rudraksha - रुद्राक्ष ! (Elaeocarpus ganitrus)

Ek-mukhi Rudraksha on  Bael leaf

         It is the seed of Rudraksha tree which scientific name is Elaeocarpus Ganitrus. Rudraksha is a popular holy thing among Hindus. Many of Hindus wear it either on the upper arm or as a locket in the chain around the neck. It is worn to please Shiva because Shiva who is Rudra likes to see this seed. As the name Rudraksha is made up of two words-Rudra + Aksha, means Shiva + Eyes; it is due to the fact that this seed is pleasing to eyes of Rudra. The mythological story behind the origin of Rudraksha is that during a long "Dhyana" by Shiva, a drop of tear emerged from his eye and fell on to the ground. From the ground, it grew as Rudraksha tree. Seeds of the fruits of this tree were named as Rudraksha because it emerged from the eyes of Rudra.

               One of the main features of the Rudraksha seeds is that they have natural grooves on their rough surfaces like meridian lines on the surface of the earth. These grooves divide the surface into as many parts called faces or "Mukha" (Hindi and Sanskrit word for face). The  Rudraksha seeds are found with different numbers of "Mukhas" on them, numbering from one "Mukha" to twenty-one "Mukhas" and accordingly they are named as 'one faced Rudraksha' (Ek Mukhi Rudraksha) to 'twenty-one faced Rudraksha' (Ekkis Mukhi Rudraksha). Astrologists suggest different "Mukhi Rudraksha" to a person according to his needs. But all of these Rudraksha are not equally available, so the price of a particular Rudraksha depends upon its demand and availability as is the rule of a market.   

               Being liked by Shiva, the Rudraksha is offered to God Shiva by His devotees. After the worship, it is taken by the devotee as "Prasad" and either put near the place of worship or worn by him. Devotees even like to offer it at "Jyotirlingas" and then have it as "Prasad".   

                 Astrological point of view aside, two types of Rudraksha are quite important - Five 'Mukhi' (पंचमुखी) and One 'Mukhi' (एकमुखी). Shiva is thought to have five heads/faces. One may remember the Sanskrit "shloka" in prayer as:- 

ॐ पञ्चवक्त्राणि विद्महे महादेवाय धीमहि तन्नो रुद्रः प्रचोदयात।  

(Om Pancha-Vaktrani Vidmahe Mahadevaya Dheemahi Tanno Rudrah Prachodayat) 

It means- We should know five headed/faced Almighty, bring that Mahadeva in our "Dhyana", may that Rudra inspires us towards the good path. 

"Panchamukhi-Rudraksha Mala"
hung on the wall facing  the
entrance of the house 

           So the Five 'Mukhi' (पंचमुखी) Rudraksha represents God Shiva. Since this type of Rudraksha is common too, it is widely used by devotees. Not only single Five 'Mukhi' (पंचमुखी) Rudraksha but smaller sized Rudraksha beads in threads are used as "Mala" or rosary. "Rudraksha Mala"  is either worn around the neck, upper arms or wrists. Some of the "Sadhus"(monks) who wield a trident in their hands wear "Rudraksha Mala"  at all these parts of the body. It is even available online at this link of Amazon - Jap Mala.

             Another important Rudraksha is the variety called One 'Mukhi' (एकमुखी) Rudraksha. Since Shiva is the Almighty (Paramatma) and Almighty is only one, so "One 'Mukhi' (एकमुखी)" Rudraksha represents Almighty Shiva. In fact, it is said that "One 'Mukhi' (एकमुखी)" Rudraksha is Shiva Himself. So many of devotees prefer to put it at the place of worship and offer their "Puja" to it. Some astrologists advise to wear it and Some people wear it, but it requires some strict rules to follow for wearing it like- While wearing do not go to the potty or urinate nor eat non-veg foods; maintain total sanctity, purity and holiness. We know how difficult is it to follow, that is why most people prefer the first thing- worship it at the place of worship in the house. The "Pancha-Mukhi Rudraksha" wearer do not require to follow such strict rules necessarily but maintain the sanctity as much as they can. The different Rudrakshas are available on the online site - Amazon. Ek-Mukhi Rudraksha and lockets. Pendents.

A rosary (Akshamala) of small beads of
Pancha-Mukhi Rudraksha

              "One 'Mukhi' (एकमुखी)" Rudraksha is found in two varieties based on their shape - 1. Cashew nut type (Kaju-dana) and 2. Round type (Gol-dana). Former is generally available in the market and price is around few thousands while later one is rarer and its price depends upon the seller, means he may say any amount and large variations between seller to seller may be found. Recently on an online marketing site, a good quality of round type (Gol-dana) rudraksha had a price tag of around seven hundred thousands in Rupees. 

               Beyond these, there is some special Rudraksha like Ganesh Rudraksha, Gourishankar Rudraksha, Nandi Rudraksha and Rudraksha having some natural holy mark on it. If there is a long rise on it like the trunk of an elephant then it is called Ganesh Rudraksha. Two naturally joined Rudrakshas are either termed as Gourishankar Rudraksha or Nandi Rudraksha depending upon their comparative sizes. If there is a natural holy mark on it like ॐ (Om) then it becomes very very special and its demand goes up like a rocket. One may see the price tag of such Rudraksha around US $ 192000.        

               Due to good demand in the market, many people sell fake Rudraksha. Though there are some tests to know whether it is true or false but it is good to purchase it from a reputed source. These days some sellers give a certificate of quality with it like they give with diamonds and gems.

              In addition to the above, it is believed that wearing Rudraksha has the medicinal effect on the body. They think that it is useful in the treatment of high blood pressure. But it is not scientifically proven. The rough surface of it gives acupressure like effect on the body. Wearer of Rudraksha also gets spiritual help during the "Dhyana Kriya" and helps him to connect to Almighty Shiva-Brahm. 

               So it is always advisable to get the benefits of Rudraksha at least from the spiritual point of view.  

===<<<O>>>===

गुलाब के फूल -The Rose flower !

Lord Krishna's favorite flower

           The rose flower is loved by God Vishnu. In Hindu mythology, there is a story about the most beautiful flower. Once Brahma and Vishnu debated about the most beautiful flower. While Brahma favored the lotus flower, Vishnu named the rose. When they could not agree on one of them, Vishnu finally took Brahma to his celestial garden and showed him the shrub of rose laden with beautiful roses. Fascinated by this look Brahma accepted Vishnu's logic and both agreed that 'the rose is the most beautiful flower'. Even today the rose is regarded as the "King of flowers". Hindus offer this flower to Krishna who is an avatar of Vishnu. Krishna took the love close to devotion, so this flower is also regarded as a symbol of love. The rosebuds, fully bloomed flowers and rose petals, all could be offered to gods. Even a garland of roses is offered to Krishna.

Pink Rose

                 Roses are found in many colors, mainly white, yellow, red and pink colored. So devotees have choices to offer them according to colors the Gods like. The red colored flower is offered to Goddesses like Kali, Durga and Lakshmi. Since the popular god Hanuman likes red color, he too is worshiped with red roses. Yellow is liked by Vishnu, so Vishnu, Krishna and Ram are offered yellow roses during the worship. White roses are offered to Shiva and Saraswati.  

 

Roses (Buds and flowers)

               Since Gods are offered a number of things in worship and "Pushpa" (flowers) is only one of those things, one other important thing related to flowers is "Gandha" (Perfume). Perfume is extracted from many flowers, and the one extracted from roses is 'rosewater' (Gulab-Jala in Hindi). "Gandha" (Perfume) of rose is offered as 'rosewater' or as 'Attar' (इत्र, अत्तर) in cotton-ball. Its perfume is also used in incense sticks which are burned during worship and "Aarti" to give out the scent of roses. 

                Rose is an ornamental flower. Now we have techniques to grow different varieties and sizes of roses. It was loved by royal families in Rome, Persia and India in medieval times. Mughals were rose fans. They had rose gardens. Nur Jehan is said to have discovered the rose oil while taking a bath in a bath-tub full of rose petals. Even in modern India people love rose gardens and it can be found in botanical gardens and "Rajbhawans" of Indian states and who can forget the "Mughal Garden" of ''Rashtrapati-Bhawan", New Delhi.

Red and Yellow roses

 

                 Rose is known as "Gulaab" in Hindi and Urdu. But it is a bit surprising that it has not got its presence felt strongly in Hindu religious books as the lotus flower has got. Maybe that in ancient times roses found were not so attractive as we see today because we have many new varieties developed now. Hybrid varieties are bigger and attractive but they were not then. Known as "Japa, Jawa and Patal-Pushp" in Sanskrit, it has been mentioned by "Charak" and "Sushrut" (physician and surgeon in Indian medicinal system 'Ayurved' in ancient times) at many places as remedies for acidity, fever and boils. They considered its effect as cooling on the body and good for the stomach. Even today "Gulukand", a preparation of rose petals is eaten in betel leaf (Paan) to keep stomach cool. 

A rosebud opening up

                The perennial plant of rose is a shrub which grows from a meter to 6-7 meters depending upon the variety. It is planted by cutting. For good size of flowers, it has to be cut leaving thick stems one or two feet long only. It needs cow-dung manure and fertilizers too. One has to be careful while touching the plant as it is full of thorns. It grows well in flower beds but one can plant it in even flower pots.

Different products of roses are available at Amazon like rose oil, rose petal powder, rose water, essential oil etc.  

===<<<O>>>===

  

गुल मेहंदी - Garden Balsam !

             It is a common flower of worship in Hindu religion. Flowers of different colors and shades bloom on it that looks very attractive. Devotees select flowers of a particular color to offer to gods who like that color. Common colors that this flower have are white, pink, purple and red in different shades. White flowers may be offered to God Shiva and Goddess Saraswati, red flowers to Goddesses Lakshmi, Durga, Kali or Gouri, pink and purple flowers to Krishna and other gods and goddesses.

White Garden Balsam

It is commonly known as "Gul-Mehandi" (गुल मेहंदी) in Hindi. Common English names are garden balsam, rose balsam, garden jewel-weed spotted snap-weed etc. The scientific name is "Impatiens Balsamina". In eastern Bihar and Jharkhand state of India, it is also known as "Chira-Mira" (चीरा -मीरा).

Balsam flower plants
in flower pot

          This flower is native to India and this sub-continent. In different languages, it has different names. The plant is a herb with a soft stem that grows to a height of 2 - 3 ft. In addition to its attractive flowers what makes it so popular is the ease with which it can be grown. It requires water and sunshine and easily grows from its radish-like seeds. Generally, the seeds are put into the soil in the rainy season. They grow fast and start flowering when getting a height of six inches.

Lovely 'Gul-Mehandi'
flower

 Some varieties of flowers have few petals and are small, so they are called "Ekhari" (single layered) in Hindi, while other varieties have lots of petals and called "Dohari" (double or multi-layered). If the flowers are not plucked, they are pollinated by insects and subsequently replaced by pods that have many seeds inside it. When the seeds inside are ready, the cover of the pods get stressed naturally and explode by curling itself, thus the dispersion of seeds take place. For storage of seeds for next season, the ripe pods should be plucked carefully because it can explode open by touching. 

Pink Balsam flower

The flowers and the plants of Garden Balsam have also some medicinal values. Traditionally the juice of leaves is used to treat warts and flowers are applied on burns. Koreans use it for constipation and gastritis. In Vietnam, people wash their hairs with the extract of its flowers to grow it longer.  

Flowers and buds
of balsam

          So plant these flowers in your garden in rainy season onward to have lots of "Puja flowers" for worship. You can even plant a few plants in flower pots in the balcony of flats in apartments. Its seeds are easily available in all seed shops but if do not get it there shop it at Amazon at THIS LINK.

===<<<O>>>===