Rudraksha is derived from the words' Rudra,' meaning Shiva, and 'Aksha,' which means eyes. The Shiva Purana and the Devi Bhagwatam mention these herbal beads' various therapeutic properties and spiritual significance. The different colors, sizes, shapes, and the number of cuts or faces known as Mukhis determine the value of the bead. The powerful Rudraksha beads heal physically, mentally, emotionally, material, and spiritually. It regulates blood pressure, treats skin problems, backache, headache, and psychiatric issues, and relieves phobias, insomnia, and tension. It also attracts success in your business, education, and relationships. Individuals from all walks of life, irrespective of caste, religion, nationality, or gender, can use the divine Rudraksha to gain maximum physical, material, and spiritual benefits.
Rudraksha beads range from one Mukhi to 21 Mukhi. According to Vastu Shastra, a garden placement of Rudraksha helps to align us with good health, happiness, prosperity, spiritual upliftment, intuition, creativity, material fulfillment, harmony, self-empowerment, good fortune, abundance, and wealth. It also helps us to become self-empowered and fearless. Placing a Ganesha Rudraksha at the main entrance of the door helps to attract positive energy. Planting this holy tree around the house removes evil eyes. It infuses spirituality as well as eliminates Vastu Doshas.
Elaeocarpus ganitrus
Scientific research supports Rudraksha's ancient belief and divine powers, which belong to Elaeocarpus ganitrus Roxb. The Rudraksha plant, also known as Elaeocarpus ganitrus, is a broad-leaved evergreen tree. It has nearly 36 sister species, including Rudraksha. They are 50 to 200 ft and grow in the North Indian river plain of the Himalayas and southeast Asia, Java, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, India, and Burma. The trees bear white flowers with fringed petals that develop into fruit. The trunks of the trees are cylindrical, while the bark is grayish-white and rough in texture. The branches spread in all directions so that the crown looks like a pyramid. It requires 10 to 12 years to grow fully. A fully grown Rudraksha tree bears large leaves and grows up to a height of 50 to 200 feet.
The soil quality and the cold climate play an essential role in the development of a Rudraksha tree. It first blooms white flowers from which round shaped Rudraksha fruits are obtained. The green fruits shed on their own after ripening, when it becomes blue-colored berry fruit.
Rudraksha is grown in subtropical regions between 25 to 30 degree-centigrade. In its original form, Rudraksha is a fruit with a blue husk covering the seed. Rudraksha is kept in water for a few days, after which the Mukhi is removed after peeling off the pulp. It contains 50.031 % carbon, 0.95% nitrogen, 17.897% hydrogen, and 30.53% oxygen.
Science of Rudraksha: Modern Research and Studies
Modern science has acknowledged the magical plant's powers, which are said to have bio-magnetic properties that invite positive energies. The merits of Rudraksha are evidenced in the late 1960s by a group of scientists mentored by Dr. Suhas Rai, Institute of Technology University in Banaras. Scientists research the evidence supporting the ancient belief related to the significance of Rudraksha.
Instructions for planting a Rudraksha sapling
Rudraksha trees must be planted in the northeast direction of the garden. The temperature of the adjoining region where the Rudraksha sapling is produced should be under 35°C—growing the Rudraksha plant on a broader pot for the roots to spread evenly. River stones must cover the drain hole below the pool to keep the soil moist. Mix an equal portion of soil and peat moss which plays a significant role due to its acidic nature since plants with potting soils have a neutral pH and are acidic. Plant a fresh Rudraksha seed and gently cover it with soil.
Now, water the soil every three days. To plant a Rudraksha tree, ensure a 30 x 30 square floor plot is dedicated to the tree. Due to harsh climatic conditions, it is recommended that you plant Rudraksha seeds or saplings to avoid direct exposure to the sun during summer. Rudraksha seeds take six months to a year to sprout. Water the potting mix to ensure the soil is moist at regular intervals for long-term benefits. It is recommended not to keep the ground waterlogged and water the plant once a day during winter and twice a day during summer.
The germination of the seed varies depending on the climatic condition. It is recommended to prune each year. Remove the upper layer of the soil and replace it with fresh compost every spring. You may use soil-based compost placed over a layer of drainage material such as gravel, pebbles, or earthenware crocks. Water the plants regularly with high-potash fertilizer, especially when bearing flowers and fruits. The plant is likely to rebound at this stage, even if you forget to water it for a few days. A mature tree is 30 to 60 feet tall, and its roots will be lifted from the ground around the base of the tree if the soil is poor or if there are many trees planted close to it. The trees have an unusual way of shedding their lower branches after all the leaves on the stem have turned bright red.
