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.  

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Dūrvā grass leaves (दूर्वा दल) !

    Dūrvā grass leaves (दूर्वा दल) !

Durva grass, Doob grass, Dubo (Cynodon Dactylon)
Ready for offering in worship

            The tips of Dūrvā grass with three leaves (टुस्सा - Tussa in Hindi) are used in Hindu worship rituals. It is offered to God Ganesha, God Shiva and his vehicle and gatekeeper Nandi, the bull. Generally a pinch of turmeric powder is sprinkled over them before the offering.

              Dūrvā grass is commonly known as "Doob"(दूब) grass in Hindi, "Dubo" in Bengali and Bermuda grass in English. Dūrvā is its name in Sanskrit. Its scientific name is "Cynodon dactylon". It can be easily found around the houses, roadsides and in the fields. If taken care of, it performs as very good lawn grass.  

              In Hindu culture this grass is thought to be very auspicious. On the occasion of wedding "Doob"(दूब) grass along-with Akshat (अक्षत) is sprinkled over the couple by the priest and elderly 

relatives as auspicious blessings. Sometimes holy waters like Ganga Jal is needed to be sprinkled in all corners of every room in a house to bring the auspiciousness again. This is done with a bunch of "Doob"(दूब) grass. 

                  Lord Ganesha who is the first god to be worshiped when a Puja (worship) is commenced is also a god of auspiciousness and a god who removes hurdles (विघ्नहर्ता) in any good work when worshiped. When offered the "Doob"(दूब) grass, He is pleased and believed to remove the hurdles in good works of a person. There is a story behind the offering of "Doob"(दूब) grass to Lord Ganesha. It is said that a demon named Analasur (Anal means fire, so Analasur means an Asur who emits fire), who came into existence due to some weak moments of Yamaraj seeing an "Apsara", had became a trouble for gods. So the gods requested Lord Ganesha to kill Analasur which he accepted. In the fight Ganesha swallowed Analasur but he got restless due to the heat produced in his stomach. No god could suppress his pain. He could get relief only when some "Rishis" put some "Doob"(दूब) grass over his head. From that time Ganesha is pleased whenever "Doob"(दूब) grass is put over his head during his worship. It is customary to sprinkle turmeric powder over "Doob"(दूब) grass before offering, because yellow color is favorite of Ganesha and turmeric is one of the auspicious items in Hindu customs.   

 

Thin leaved Durva grass,
Doob grass,Dubo
(Cynodon Dactylon)

               "Doob"(दूब) grass is also offered to God Shiva. It is said that God Shiva is pleased when "Doob"(दूब) grass is placed over Shivalinga during worship and he makes the devotee wealthy. So people with a desire to have wealth offer him "Doob". In the Hindu month of Shravan (That is also a favorite month of Shiva) the "Doob"(दूब) grass is found abundantly due to rainy season. One can see the favorite things of Shiva in my blog at this link --- What Lord Shiva likes ! 

                 Shiva's gatekeeper Nandi is a bull and he is included in Shiva's family (called Shiva - parivaar). Nandi worship is also done during Shiva-worship because if Nandi  is pleased then the devotee can send his wishes direct to the heart of Shiva through saying it in the ears of Nandi. It is a boon given to Nandi by Shiva. Since "Doob"(दूब) grass is a natural food of cows and bulls, so it is also offered to Nandi to please him. 

                  The "Doob"(दूब) grass to be offered to gods should be picked from clean places and carried to the worship place in right hand only. The mantra to offer "Doob"(दुर्वाम ) is as follows,

दुर्वांकुरान्  सुहारितानमृतान् मंगलप्रदान्। 

आनीतांस्त्व  पूजार्थं  गृहाण  गणनायक।।  

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