7 rules to keep in mind when wearing a Rudraksha

Rudraksha, a bead that is often connected to Lord Shiva, is worn by Shiva devotees and ordinary people not just in India, but also around the world. Rudraksha is worn in the form of bracelets, pendants, rudraksha mala, and in other forms, and is also of different types. There is the powerful Ekmukhi (one faced) Rudraksh, the more commonly seen Panchmukhi (5 faced) Rudraksh, and also an Ikkismukhi (21 faced) Rudraksh. All of these have different powers and are given to people by spiritual or religious Gurus owing to what problems they have.
And a Rudraksha can be worn by anyone, no matter what religion, class, or ethnicity, but there are always certain rules and precautions to wearing it. Here we mention some of them.

The fame and power of Rudraksha beads is known to all, and everybody wishes to get their hands on this powerful bead. But in this wish and want for the Rudraksha mala, uncountable sellers are now selling fake beads for the price of real ones. And when you wear a fake Rudraksh and not see any results, your belief over the beads ends.
And so, it is important to buy them from someone you personally know, or get them from a Guru.

Before you wear the Rudraksh, it is believed that it should be energised and activated. And while some people feel that a holy bead needs no ‘activation’, many recommend that soaking the Rudraksh in ghee and milk helps increase its power.

It is suggested that the Rudraksh should be washed and cleaned with Gangajal, then added to milk for 24 hours, and then to Ghee for the next 24 hours. Once this is done, run it under hot water and chant a mantra while wearing it.

The Rudraksh is an extremely powerful bead and it increases the energy of the wearer and his or her surroundings. Plus, it is also said that the Rudraksh absorbs energies. And thus, there are certain situations where it is believed that it is best to not wear a Rudraksh.
For example, some people say that one should not wear a Rudraksh during a funeral or in mourning as it can absorb the energy around.
Some also believe that Rudraksh should not be worn around a newborn as it could affect their energies and overwhelm them. But when thought about practically, people could have been against wearing a Rudraksh around a newborn as it could hurt their sensitive skin.

According to Hindu traditions, there are certain beads and malas that should not be worn if you cannot give up on Tamsic food. And the most famous ones are Rudraksh and Tulsi mala. It is said that the spiritually uplifting qualities and powers of the Rudraksh can clash with the heavy energies of Tamsic foods, and thus would not result in any good for the wearer.

A Rudraksha is worn with proper initiation and procedure, and thus it should not be removed just on a whim. It is a long-term commitment and thus people should think twice before wearing a Rudraksh. Some people take off their Rudraksha when they feel uncomfortable or forget to put it back on, and this reduces its effectiveness.
But if you really have to remove it, it is best to do so while chanting Om Namah Shivay and inwardly telling Lord Shiva why you must remove his bead.

Lord Shiva and his energies are closely associated with the Rudraksh, and thus being a Shiva devotee before wearing it and after wearing it can do wonders for your time. People meditate upon the name and forms of Lord Shiva when they are wearing the Rudraksh mala, and some even make them into a jap-mala, chanting the mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva while counting the beads.

It is important to choose a Rudraksh wisely. Some people randomly go to the market and buy a Rudraksh, or buy one from the temple premises thinking it is all the same. But in reality, Rudraksh beads are different ‘mukhis’, and each of them has a certain purpose. For example, the Panchmukhi Rudraksh is the most common bead and is worn by people more often as it helps in peace and spiritual growth. The Gyarahmukhi Rudraksh (11 faced Rudraksh) is worn by people who wish to develop confidence in life and improve their standing in society, and the likes. So choose a Rudraksh only after discussing it with your spiritual Guru.

There is no set restriction on who can or cannot wear a Rudraksh. From an old Indian man who wears it as part of tradition, to a lady from the UK or US who wants to initiate herself in the group of Shiva devotees, anyone can wear a Rudraksha.

But there are certain beliefs that say that young children and women who are pregnant should not wear a Rudraksh. Some believe that the power and energy in the Rudraksh beads can be too high for a young child or for a new mother or expecting woman, and can overwhelm them at times.