Shiva Purana and Rudraksha: Meaning & Spiritual Significance Explained

Rudraksha is a gift from Lord Shiva to mankind. It's directly a manifestation of devotion toward him; so much so that Rudraksha and Shiva are synonymous and integral to each other.

According to the Shiva Purana, the origin of Rudraksha is intricately tied to Lord Shiva himself. The story mentioned in this ancient Hindu scripture goes that Shiva opened his eyes after an elongated meditative state. This caused his eyes to become teary due to strain, and his teardrops fell on the earth. It's said that wherever the tears of Shiva fell and touched the ground, holy Rudraksha trees grew; this is why Rudraksha beads aren't just defined as seeds, but a direct manifestation of Shiva's own divinity.

Hence, wearing or meditating with Rudraksha is believed to connect you directly to Shiva's ultimate consciousness that offers protection, spiritual awakening, and spiritual growth. The scriptural quotations of Shiv Purana emphasise that Rudraksha must not just be worn as an ornament but as a tool of faith for getting aligned with devotion and self-realisation.

This is why, even thousands of years later, Rudraksha continues to hold such deep reverence in Hinduism.

The Spiritual Significance of Rudraksha According to Shiva Purana

It is, however, established that Lord Shiva gave Rudraksha beads to overcome the sins of mankind and offer solace. It is up to us now to make use of these divine beads in a proper way.

Wearing rudraksha may have different objectives for people, but so far, the opinion of most rudraksha users is that rudraksha got its divinity and mystical powers due to the blessings of the great Lord Shiva, also known as Mahadeva (greatest among gods). Blessings of Shiva are obtained before wearing rudraksha, and regular spiritual charging of the beads is recommended by doing Rudraksha-Abhishek similar to Rudra-Abhishek.

The word 'Shiva' means auspiciousness and prosperity-bestowing. Shiva is known to enlighten; therefore, the one who enlightens is Shiva. Shiva is absolute, self-radiant, and illuminates the world. The forms of Lord Shiva known to us are: Rudra, Ardhanarishwara, Kalabhairava, Vetala, Bhootnatha, Virbhadra, Bhairava, Nataraja, and so many more.

All of these forms and their related Rudraksha beads are mentioned in the Shiva Purana. It has been emphasised in all the texts which have highlighted the merits of rudraksha that, at the time of wearing rudraksha and even while regularly wearing it, it should be worshipped as per prescribed procedures and particularly by chanting the recommended mantras. The Shiva Purana says that rudraksha should be worn without any expectations and with total devotion and happiness. In doing so, one tends to obtain the knowledge of Shiva. It says that the power of rudraksha is such that even if worn without reciting the mantras, it will be beneficial.

However, for Shiva devotees, when they worship Shiva and keep the entity of Rudraksha higher by taking a second birth, or being twice-born called Dwij, by sticking to a strict, disciplined lifestyle. It is necessary to use Shiva mantras. The Shiva Purana, while giving the beej mantras, says that blessed are those who wear rudraksha chanting these mantras. Even listening to these mantras gives good results.

Rudraksha needs to be blessed, purified, and energised before they are worn. This is done by performing Rudrabhishek and chanting of pran pratishtha (ritual consecration) and seed mantras.

Shiva Purana & Rudraksha: The Tale of an Ultimate Ancient Wisdom

Rudraksha beads are highly sacred entities and a testament to Hinduism. And Shiva Purana suggests it as the form of the divine (Shiva) himself, like:

चतुर्वक्त्रः स्वयं ब्रह्मा नरहत्यां व्यपोहति |
दर्शनात् स्पर्शनात् सद्यश्चतुर्वर्गफलप्रदः || – (Shiva Purana)

Chaturvaktrah swayam brahma narhatyam vyapohati
Darshanat sparshnat sadyashchturvargphalpradah

The Char Mukhi Rudraksha is known to absolve the wearer of all sins. Only a sight of the four-faced sacred bead brings you four pursuits of the human objectives- dharma (righteousness), artha (means of purpose/wealth), kama (desires), and moksha (liberation from all worldly limitations).

Benefits of Wearing Rudraksha as Described in Shiva Purana

According to the Shiva Purana, Rudraksha is considered deeply sacred, believed to have originated from Lord Shiva's tears. Here are seven benefits that the Shiva Purana describes about wearing Rudraksha:

• It’s said to bring you closer to Lord Shiva's grace and blessings.

• Cleanse you of past sins when worn with faith and proper rituals.

• Shields the wearer from evil spirits, negative energies, and harmful influences.

• Calms the mind, reduces anxiety, and aids concentration, good for meditators.

• Leads to the fulfilment of righteous desires and an improvement in material well-being.

• Aids in liberation (moksha), freeing the soul from the endless cycle of birth and death.

• It has a positive effect on physical health, contributing to vitality and a longer life.

How to Wear Rudraksha Mala Correctly?

Step 1: Sit with purity after showering and sprinkling some Gangajal on your body.

Step 2: Facing Shiva's altar/Shivlingam, sit and meditate upon Lord Shiva.

ॐ वन्दे देव उमापतिं सुरगुरुं, वन्दे जगत्कारणम् ।
वन्दे पन्नगभूषणं मृगधरं, वन्दे पशूनां पतिम् ॥
वन्दे सूर्य शशांक वह्नि नयनं, वन्दे मुकुन्दप्रियम् ।
वन्दे भक्त जनाश्रयं च वरदं, वन्दे शिवंशंकरम् ॥

Step 3: Place Rudraksha bead/mala/bracelet in a pure, clean vessel/plate. Shower Gangajal, Panchamrita, Gandha, and Akshata while chanting ‘ॐ नमः शिवाय’ 

Step 4: After energising your Rudraksha, wear it around your neck.

Note: The speciality of our Rudraksha bead is that it’s consecrated (abhimantrit), energised, blessed and is then sent to you.

Dos & Don’ts of Wearing Rudraksha According to Shiva Purana

• Ensure the Rudraksha has a combination of the correct number of beads that were neither worn by anyone else and are not damaged.

• Make sure to thread all the beads in a correct direction, that is, face to face and tail to tail.

• Remember to take off the Rudraksha while eating non-vegetarian food, consuming alcohol or tobacco, while physically intimate, going to the funeral, and so on.

• Unless it’s a gift from someone, pay the full amount to your Rudraksha seller. Never wear a Rudraksha that is stranded, randomly found, or stolen.

• Do not doubt the effects of your Rudraksha; it will sooner or later create a positive impact in your life.

• Do not place your Rudraksha anywhere on a dirty surface or in an unholy area, and do not touch it with impure hands.

As per the Shiva Purana, rudraksha of the size of dhatriphal or amla is the best, and the one that is the size of the fruit of the jujube tree or the badriphala is of medium quality. The inferior variety of the bead is the one that is the size of a gram. Rudraksha of even size, glossy, firm, thick, and with many thorn-like protrusions, yield the desired results. Six types of rudraksha are to be discarded: those defiled by worms, cut and broken, have no thorn-like protrusions, have cracks and are not round. Ones with a natural hole are the best, and those which have to be bored by human effort are of medium quality.

In the Shiva Purana, there is a statement that the smaller the rudraksha, the more powerful it is, and a reduction in weight of one-tenth is considered to be the most fruitful.