Aghora Mantra for rudraksha beads

The Aghor mantra is:

Om Aghor Om Aghoratar Om Hraum Hram Namaste
Rudrarupaya Hraim Swaha.

Shiva Linga from Narmada

Shiva Linga from Narmada

The smooth, round pebbles stones found in Narmada river are called “Bana Lingas or Narmada Shiva Linga”.

Narmadeshwar Shiva Lingams are found only in one place on the entire planet, the Narmada River. They have the highest frequency of any stone on the planet! Read more

http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/dispProductlist.php?subcatId=162

Shivling Abhishek

Shivling Abhishek
	Place the Shivaling along with three Rudrakshas under the Abhishek Pot. Take flowers in both hands and offer them on the Shivaling chanting thus-  Hastaabhyaam Kalashadwayaamrit Rasei-raaplaavayantam Shiro, Dwaabhyaam Tou Dadhatam Mrigaashavalaye Dwaabhyaam Vahantam Param. Ankanyast-kar-dwayaamritghatam Kailaash-kaantam Shivam, Swachhaambhojagatam. Navendumukutam Devam Trinetram Bhaje.  i.e. I pray to Lord Mahamrityunjaya Shiva who holds two pots of divine elixir in his two hands, who sits on the Kailash mountain on a lotus flower and who has a moon ornamenting his forehead.  Take water in the right palm and chant thus -  Asya Shree Trayambak Mantrasya Vashishtth Rishih Anushtup Chhandah Trayambak Paarvati Patirdevataa Tram Beejam, Bam Shakti, Kam Keelakam, Mam Sarva Rog Nivritaye Sarva Kaarya Siddhaye Akaal Mrityu Nivritaye Mahaamrityunjaya Trayambak Mantra Jape Viniyogah.  Then let the water flow on to the ground.

 

http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/showarticles.php?artid=19

Shree Yantra Pujan

Shree Yantra Pujan
	The Shree Yantra in the 3 Dimensional Meru Type is popularly made in Sphatik Crystal and is a multi Pyramid Cosmic Grid signifying unlimited abundance and positive powers. This is Multi pyramidal Geometry with 7 Pyramid steps and 43 petals with Base angle of 51.5032. Exact matching of this Geometry brings about optimum results. In India and China the Shree Yantra is used by Business class and the affluent .On seeing that this Geometry in 2D or 3D form symbol INVARIABLY brings in tremendous amount of Affluence, Abundance and Harmony this was termed as “Shree Yantra” – “Shree” meaning “wealth” and “Yantra” – Meaning “Instrument” – “The Instrument for Wealth” . The Shree Yantra brings about material and spiritual wealth . FOR HINDUS In the cosmos there are three states-Creation, Establishment and Destruction and these are represented by the three circles in the Shree Yantra which in itself is the symbol of the universe or cosmos. When this circle is elevated it stands as a symbol of Sumeru Mountain balancing the whole universe and it contains of all the worlds situated in the Sumeru Mountain, as described in Puranas. It is called “Meru Prastha Shree Yantra” and is the best of all. Shree Yantra is the worshipping place of the form of the super goddess, Mahatripur Sundari. It is Her divine abode. All the gods and goddesses are worshipped in it and all other religious adorations are done here. It includes all the conducts, all the learning and all the elements. The rightful person of all sects, castes and creeds can believe in it as the religious practitioners and priests. Well proved and well designed by nine chakras – four Shiva chakras and five Chakras of the goddess shakti incarnate, Shree Chakra is the manifestation of Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti. The fruit of benefit which is gained after performing duly one hundred Ashvamegha Yajnas, that can be acquired only by having a sight (vision) of the Shree Yantra. There are three kinds of Shree Yantra, Bhuprastha, Kurma Prastha and Meru Prastha. Shree Yantra that is plain is called Bhuprishtha -(Back of the Earth), one which is raised on a tortoise back is called “Kachchhap Prishtha” and that which is raised fully like the Sumeru Mountain is called Meru Prishthha like a Mountain. Shree Yantra can be chiseled out of a crystal piece, engraved on crystal, precious stones, on copper or silver metals in plain plans or elevated plans. But out of all these Shree Yantras, the Yantra which is dug out of crystal, chiseled minutely in an elevated form i.e. in Meru Form is regarded as the best of all. Crystal Shree Yantra is the best for the householder also. ShreeYantra Sthaapana ShreeYantra Sthaapana in your home/office/vehicle is done on a Friday . Soak in saline water overnight (Thursday night ) . This takes away all negativity from the crystal . Then take it out , wash in normal water and keep on moist earth (mud) under sunlight for few hours . Then take it for Puja . Place Yantra on a plate and wash it with water , and milk mixed with saffron . Then wash it again with water . Light incense and sprinkle water where the Yantra is to be kept chanting “Aim Hreem Namah” . Place yellow cloth and a sheet of silver/gold and place Yantra on it . Put Kum Kum/ Sandal paste and a coral mala on the Yantra . A Shivling is also placed near the Yantra during Pran Prathistha . Offer flowers (yellow) , Gur (jaggery) , raw turmeric and incense to the Yantra . Chant 108 times the following mantra on a Lotus seed rosary “Om, Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamle Kamalalaye Praseed, Praseed, Shreem, Hreem Shreem Om Mahalaxmaye Namah” Then cover Shree Yantra with red cloth . Pray and worship every Friday without lifting from Seat . Every Friday take off the red cloth and offer fresh flowers and offer Gur (jaggery) , raw turmeric and incense to the Yantra . Rest of the days only have sight (darshan) of the Yantra by lifting the red cloth. The tip of the Shree Yantra is called the aerial or antenna in scientific term and is called Mahatripur Sundari which means Niwas Sthan (home) of Sampoorna (all) Devis and Devtas (God and Goddess) in religious term. Meditation is done on the tip of the Shree Yantra (Mahatripur Sundari) and while chanting Mahalaxmi Mantra concentrate on the tip and meditate with open eyes. It is also helpful for students in achieving focus and intelligence . FOR OTHER RELIGIONS Since Shreeyantra works on the cosmic ray theory, apart from Hindus even Muslims, Parsis, Christians and people following other religions also believe in it because they believe in the cosmic ray theory of the stones. They do not do Puja like the Hindus but they keep it near their Holy Books or at the place of worship. They also concentrate on the tip and meditate while chant the lines from their holy books with open eyes.

http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/showarticles.php?artid=196

Significance of 108 beads in a Mala

Significance of 108 beads
	Why are there 108 beads on a mala? by Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati SwamiJ.com On a mala, or set of mantra counting beads, there are generally 108 beads, or some fraction of that number. The question often arises: “Why are there 108 beads on a mala?” Below are some of the many reasons that have been given, as well as a few other points of interest. None of these reasons are being promoted here as more or less true than the others. However, you may notice that 108 appears to be somewhat like a road map of reality in general, and the human in particular. Regardless of the meaning of 108, it is important that if a mala is used to count mantras, the mantra be remembered with sincerity, devotion, feeling, and full attention. 9 times 12: Both of these numbers have been said to have spiritual significance in many traditions. 9 times 12 is 108. Also, 1 plus 8 equals 9. That 9 times 12 equals 108. Powers of 1, 2, and 3 in math: 1 to 1st power=1; 2 to 2nd power=4 (2×2); 3 to 3rd power=27 (3×3x3). 1×4x27=108 Desires: There are said to be 108 earthly desires in mortals. Lies: There are said to be 108 lies that humans tell. Delusions: There are said to be 108 human delusions or forms of ignorance. Heart Chakra: The chakras are the intersections of energy lines, and there are said to be a total of 108 energy lines converging to form the heart chakra. One of them, sushumna leads to the crown chakra, and is said to be the path to Self-realization. Sanskrit alphabet: There are 54 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet. Each has masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti. 54 times 2 is 108. Pranayama: If one is able to be so calm in meditation as to have only 108 breaths in a day, enlightenment will come. Upanishads: Some say there are 108 Upanishads, texts of the wisdom of the ancient sages. Sri Yantra: On the Sri Yantra there are marmas where three lines intersect, and there are 54 such intersections. Each intersections has masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti qualities. 54 times 2 equals 108. Thus, there are 108 points that define the Sri Yantra as well as the human body. Pentagon: The angle formed by two adjacent lines in a pentagon equals 108 degrees. Marmas: Marmas or marmastanas are like energy intersections called chakras, except have fewer energy lines converging to form them. There are said to be 108 marmas in the subtle body. Time: Some say there are 108 feelings, with 36 related to the past, 36 related to the present, and 36 related to the future. 8 extra beads: In doing a practice of counting the number of repetitions of the mala, 100 are counted as completed. The remaining are said to cover errors or omissions. The 8 are also said to be an offering to God and Guru. Chemistry: Interestingly, there are about 115 elements known on the periodic table of the elements. Most of those, around or higher than the number 100 only exist in the laboratory, and some for only thousandths of a second. The number that naturally exist on Earth is around 100. Astrology: There are 12 constellations, and 9 arc segments called namshas or chandrakalas. 9 times 12 equals 108. Chandra is moon, and kalas are the divisions within a whole. Planets and Houses: In astrology, there are 12 houses and 9 planets. 12 times 9 equals 108. Goddess names: There are said to be 108 Indian goddess names. Gopis of Krishna: In the Krishna tradition, there were said to be 108 gopis or maid servants of Krishna. 1, 0, and 8: Some say that 1 stands for God or higher Truth, 0 stands for emptiness or completeness in spiritual practice, and 8 stands for infinity or eternity. Sun and Earth: The diameter of the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Earth. The distance from the Sun to the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Sun. Moon and Earth: The average distance of the Moon from the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Moon. Silver and the moon: In astrology, the metal silver is said to represent the moon. The atomic weight of silver is 108. Numerical scale: The 1 of 108, and the 8 of 108, when added together equals 9, which is the number of the numerical scale, i.e. 1, 2, 3 … 10, etc., where 0 is not a number. Meditations: Some say there are 108 styles of meditation. Breath: Tantra estimates the average number of breaths per day at 21,600, of which 10,800 are solar energy, and 10,800 are lunar energy. Multiplying 108 by 100 is 10,800. Multiplying 2 x 10,800 equals 21,600. Paths to God: Some suggest that there are 108 paths to God. Smaller divisions: The number 108 is divided, such as in half, third, quarter, or twelfth, so that some malas have 54, 36, 27, or 9 beads. Hinduism: 108 is said to refer to the number of Hindu deities. Some say that each of the deities has 108 names. Islam: The number 108 is used in Islam to refer to God. Jain: In the Jain religion, 108 are the combined virtues of five categories of holy ones, including 12, 8, 36, 25, and 27 virtues respectively. Sikh: The Sikh tradition has a mala of 108 knots tied in a string of wool, rather than beads. Buddhism: Some Buddhists carve 108 small Buddhas on a walnut for good luck. Some ring a bell 108 times to celebrate a new year. Chinese: The Chinese Buddhists and Taoists use a 108 bead mala, which is called su-chu, and has three dividing beads, so the mala is divided into three parts of 36 each. Stages of the soul: Said that Atman, the human soul or center goes through 108 stages on the journey. Meru: This is a larger bead, not part of the 108. It is not tied in the sequence of the other beads. It is the quiding bead, the one that marks the beginning and end of the mala. Dance: There are 108 forms of dance in the Indian traditions. Praiseworthy souls: There are 108 qualities of praiseworthy souls.

http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/showarticles.php?artid=197

Significance of Indra Mala

Significance of Indra mala
	In the Siva Purana it is stated: If a person is not liberated after meditation and acquistion of knowledge he shall wear Rudaksha. He shall be freed from all sins and attain the highest goal. By wearing Indra Mala you are partakeing of the energies of all the Vedic Deities contained in the Holy Rudraksha that make up the accumulated enegy of the Lord Indra Mala. Lord Indra the Vedic King of Heaven…..God of thunder lightning and rain. Lord Indra is identified with strength on all levels of life both spiritual and material. The combined energy of Lord Indra is known to rule over the atmosphere and sky as well as the god of rain who in vedic mythology rules over the deities of the midregion and fights against and conquers with his thunderbolts the demons or forces of darkness. In addition to this many Siddhies and Riddies are granted to the wearer of this Indra Mala much in the same way Nyaasa empowers the Jiva through the ritual process in which parts of the human body are empowered with energies of the deities during Puja in order to form a series of microcosmic and macrocosmic relationships within the wearer thus producing or manifesting the Siddies and Riddies of the wearers intent and purpose for the good of all concerned. The wearer of the Lord Indra Mala place themselves with intent and purpose in the middle of creation and manifestation and destruction of ignorance for the better good of all concerned and they accomplish what is best for themselves and their community and nation as a result. This results in the wearer gaining Wealth Happiness and Salvation through their many good actions while wearing the Lord Indra Mala. An example of what Lord Indra Rudraksha Mala Energy can do is similar to results gained in Puja from Jiva Nayaasa ….. or infusing the life of the Deity into the body…………and then using this energy to manifest a better life for all. Includes results of Rishi Nyaasa meaning saluting various deities associated with various parts of the body ……… to maintain an armay of Deities to help with accomplishments. Includes results of Sadanga Nyaasa meaning the establishment of power in the six limbs all of which distributes power in the body that helps to create a new inner and outer reality for oneself (Siddhies and Riddies) and the world we all live in. Siddhies are meaning powers or modes of success in the material world and in the Spiritual World with Attainment through Mantra Repetition Meditation and other Yogic Practices. Examples would be the Siddhi Powers of Lord Hanuman as mentioned in the Ramayana and the Sutras of Sri Maharishi Patanjali. Riddhies are meaning increases in growth prosperity success and wealth on all levels in life for wearer and all who come in contact with wearer. Wearing Lord Indra Rudraksha Mala also opens wearer to control with intent and purpose over many different aspects of the energies that Lord Indra presides over and pertain specifically to Lord Indra Vedic King of Heaven. Indriya meaning control over the five organs of knowledge and the five organs of action to include Karmendriya or the five cognative sense organs. IndriyaAnapeksa meaning a type of perception independent of the senses and is of two kinds …….. svayamsiddha or self accomplished and divya or divine ……… Accomplishment of this type of perception will also lead to other levels of refined perception called Pratyaksa and Arvaaciina. Indriyanigraha meaning sense control Indriyaartha meaning control of sense objects IndriyaarthaSannikarsa meaning control regarding contact of sense organs with objects ……….. refer to the study of Sannikarsa or sense object contact according to Nyaaya. IndriyaatmaVadin meaning a type of Caavaaka (Materialist) who considers the senses as the individual. IndriyaSaapeksa meaning a type of perception dependent on the senses. In conclusion Indra Mala is one of the most powerful Rudraksha Malas. A jiva can wear and the wearer of this Highly Auspicious Mala actually attains a position of responsibility and authority in conjunction with the energies of Lord Indra King of Heaven. This Indra Energy affects the wearer and all his good works in this world in a positive manner for the good of all concerned…… Wearer becomes so Purified from Good Works that the Position gained is described similiar to what has been written as followsand is most appropriate at this nearness to time of Diwali. AntarJyoti……Light is on the inside BahirJyoti……Light is on the outside PratyagJyoti….Light is in myself ParatParah……Beyond the Beyond JyotirJyoti…..Light of Lights SwayamJyoti…..I myself am Light AtmaJoyti…….The Self is Light Shivosmyaham….I am Siva Source:Posted by S R DharmaDev Arya on Rudraksha Beads Societies Club : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rudrakshabeadsocietiesclub Article page: http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/showarticles.php?artid=199 For Darshan image and further details, visit: http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/dispProduct.php?prodId=1966

Shiva Mahimnah Stotram (Hymn to the Glory of Shiva)

SIVA MAHIMNAH STOTRAM
	HYMN TO THE GLORY OF SHIVA taken from http://www.hindudharmaforums.com Om namah parvati pataye Hara hara hara Mahadev Gajananam bhuta-ganadhi-sevitam Kapittha-jambu-phalacaru-bhaksanam Umasutam soka-vinasa-karakam Namami vighne-svara-pada-pankajam 0M! SaIutations to Parvati’s consort, Hara, Hara, Hara, Great God (Shiva). O Elephant-faced (Ganesh), served by ghosts and other attendants, Eating sweet wood-apples and blackberries, Uma’s son, the destroyer of sorrows, O remover of obstacles, I how to your lotus feet. Sri puspadanta uvaca. 1. Mahimnah param te parama viduso yadyasadrsi Stutir brahma dinam api tadava sanna stvayi girah, Atha vacyah sarvah svamati parina mavadhi grnan Mama-pyesah stotre hara nirapavadah parikarah Sri Pushpadanta said: If it is unseemly to praise You when ignorant of the extent of’ Your greatness, then even the praises of Brahma and others are inadequate. If no one can be blamed when they praise You according to their intellectual powers, then my attempt to compose a hymn cannot be reproached. 2. Atitah panthanam tava ca mahima vanmanasayor Atad vyavrttya yam cakita mabhi dhatte srutirapi, Sa kasya stotavyah katividha gunah kasya visayah Pade tvarvacine patati na manah kasya na vacah. Your greatness is beyond the reach of mind and speech. Who can properly praise that which even the Vedas describe with trepidation, by means of’ ‘not this, not this’? How many qualities does He possess? By whom can He be perceived? Yet whose mind and speech do not turn to the form later taken by Him (saguna) ? 3. Madu sphita vacah paramam amrtam nirmitavatas Tava brahman kim vag api suraguror vismaya padam, Mama tvetam vanim guna kathana punyena bhavatah Punam ityarthe’smin puramathana buddhir vyavasita. O Brahman! Do even Brihaspati’s praises cause wonder to You, the author of the nectarlike sweet Vedas? 0 destroyer of the three cities, the thought that by praising Your glories I shall purify my speech has prompted me to undertake this work. 4. Tavaisvaryam yat taj jagadudaya raksa pralayakrt Trayivastu vyastam tisrsu guna-bhinnasu tanusu, Abhavyanam asmin varada ramaniyama ramanim Vihantum vyakrosim vidadhata ihaike jadadhiyah. O Giver of boons! Some ****** people produce arguments—pleasing to the ignorant but in fact hateful— to refute Your Divinity, which creates, preserves and destroys the world, which is divided into three bodies (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) according to the three gunas, and which is described in the three Vedas. 5. Kimihah kinkayah sa khalu kimupaya stribhuvanam Kimadharo dhata srjati kimupadana iti ca, Atarkyais varye tvay yanavasara duhstho hatadhiyah Kutarko’yam kanscin mukharayati mohaya jagatah. To fulfil what desire, assuming what form, with what instruments, support and material does that Creator create the three worlds?…. This kind of futile argumentation about You whose divine nature is beyond the reach of intellect, makes the perverted vociferous, and brings delusion to men. 6. Ajanmano lokah kimavayava vanto’pi jagatam Adhisthataram kim bhavavidhir-anadrtya bhavati, Aniso va kuryad bhuvana janane kah parikaro Yato mandastvam prat— yamaravara sanserata ime. O Lord of gods! Can the worlds be without origin, though they have bodies? Is their creation possible with­out a creator? Who else but God can initiate the creation of the worlds? Because they are fools they raise doubts about Your existence. 7. Trayi sankhyam yogah pasupati matam vaisnavamiti Prabhinne prasthane paramidamadah pathyamiti ca, Rucinam vaicitryad- rju kutila nana pathajusam Nrnam eko gamyas- tvamsasi payasa marnava iva. Different paths (to realisation) arc enjoined by the three Vedas, by Sankhya, Yoga, Pashupata (Shaiva) (doctrine and Vaishnava Shastras. People follow different paths, straight or crooked. according to their temperament, depending on which they consider best, or most appropriate—and reach You alone just as rivers enter the ocean. 8. Mahoksah khatvangam parasu rajinam bhasma phaninah Kapalam cetiyat tava varada tanto pakaranam, Surastam tamrddhim dadhati tu bhavad bhru pranihitam Na hi svatma ramam visaya mrga trsna bhramayati. O Giver of boons! A great bull, a wooden handrest, an axe, a tiger skin, ashes, serpents, a human skull and other such things—these are all You own, though simply by casting Your eyes on gods You gave them great treasures which they enjoy. Indeed one whose delight is in the Self cannot be deluded by the mirage of sense objects. 9. Dhruvam kascit sarvam sakala mapara stva dhruva midam Paro dhrau vyadhrauvye jagati gadati vyasta visaye, Samaste’pye tasmin puramathana tair vismita iva Stuvan jihremi tvam na khalu nanu dhrsta mukharata. O Destroyer of the demon Pura, some say that the whole universe is eternal while others say that all is transi­tory. Others still, hold that it is eternal and non-eternal — having different characteristics. Bewildered by all this, I do not feel ashamed to praise You; indeed my loquacity is an indication of my boldness. 10. Tavaisvaryam yatnad yadupari virincir-hari-radhah Paricchettum yatav anala manala skandha vapusah, Tato bhakti sraddha bhara-guru-,grnad-bhyam girisa yat Svayam tasthe tabhyam tava kim anuvrttir na phalati. 0 Girisha, when You took the form of a pillar of fire, Brahma trying from above and Vishnu trying from below failed to measure You. Afterwards, when they praised You with great faith and devotion, You revealed yourself to them of Your own accord; does not surrender to You bear fruit? 11. Ayatnad apadya tribhuvana mavaira vyatikaram Dasasyo yadbahun abhrta ranakandu paravasan, Sirah padmasreni racita caranam bhoruhabaleh Sthiraya stvad bhaktes tripurahara visphur jitamidam. 0 Destroyer of Tripura, it was because of that great devotion, which prompted him to offer his heads as lotuses to Your feet, that the ten-headed Ravana was still with arms and eager for fresh war after he had effortlessly rid the three worlds of all traces of enemies. 12. Amusya tvatseva samadhigata saram bhujavanam Balat kailase’pi tvadadhi vasatau vikramayatah, Alabhya patale ‘pyalasa calitangustha sirasi Pratistha tvayyasid dhruva mupacito muhyati khalah But when he (Ravana) extended the valour of his arms-whose strength was obtained by worshipping You- to Kailas, Your abode, You moved the tip of Your toe, and he did not find a resting place even in the nether world. Truly, when affluent the wicked become deluded. 13. Yadrddhim sutramno varada paramo ccairapi satim- Adhas cakre banah parijana vidheya tribhuvanah, Na taccitram tasmin varivasitari tvac caranayor Na kasya unnatyai Bhavati srirasas tvay yavanati. 0 Giver of boons, since Bana was the worshipper of Your feet is it to be wondered at that he had the three worlds at his command and put to shame the wealth of Indra? What prosperity does not come from bowing down the head to You? 14. Akanda brahmanda ksaya cakita devasura krpa Vidheya syasidyas trinayana visam sanhrta vatah, Sa kalmasah kanthe tava na kurute na sriya maho vikaro’pi slaghyo bhuvana bhaya bhanga vyasaninah. 0 Three-Eyed One, who drank poison out of compassion for gods and demons when they were distraught at the sudden prospect of the destruction of the universe, surely the dark blue stain on Your throat has beautified You. Even deformity is to be admired in one who is given to freeing the world of fear. 15. Asiddhartha naiva kvacid api sadeva suranare Nivartante nityam, Jagati jayino yasya visikhah, Sa pasyann isa tvam Itara surasadharana mabhut Smarah smarta vyatma Na hi vasisu pathyah paribhavah O Lord, the god of love, whose arrows never fail in the world of gods and men, become nothing but an object of memory because he looked on You as an ordinary god (his body being burnt by Your look of wrath). An insult to the self-controlled is not conducive to good.

 

http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/showarticles.php?artid=269

Sivamanas puja

Sivamanas puja
	Śivamānasapūjā (Translation) O Paśupati, Lord, Who is the storehouse of mercy! Please accept the following, which are assumed in the mind — a seat made with precious-stones, a bath with ice-trickled water, a divine-apparel adorned with many kinds of jewels, a sandalwood-paste mixed with fragrant deer-musk, flowers fashioned with jātī, campaka and bilvapatra, incense, and an earthen-lamp.[1] O Lord! Accept the following, which are arranged by my mind — clarified butter and porridge in a golden-vessel studded with nine-jewels, eatables of five-kinds associated, beverages associated with milk, curd and rambhāphala, pure water free from weeds, pleasing camphor-like resplendent sugar, and betelnut.[2] O Lord! Please accept the following, which are submitted by mental-conception — an umbrella, a pair of leather hand-fans, fans, a clear mirror, songs and dances filled with sounds of lute, kettle-drums and drums, a salute with all the eight-organs, and many kinds of eulogies and praises.[3] O Śambhu! You are my Ātman, Girijā is my mind, Your accompaniments are my life-forces, Your body is my residence. My various enjoyment and constructions be Your prayer. My sleep be the state of meditation. My walking be Your circumambulation and my spoken words be Your eulogies. And whatever I do, that all may be Your adoration.[4] O Śambhu! Forgive all the listed and unlisted fruits born out of speaking, body, deeds, hearing, viewing, mind, offenses. Be victorious, O Śrīmahādeva, O Śambhu, Who is the ocean of compassion![5] Source: Stotraratnāvalī — Gitapress Translator: Animesh Kumar

 

Taken from a post at RSBC :

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rudrakshabeadsocietiesclub

Sri Swami Muktananda on Rudraksha beads

Sri Swami Muktananda on Rudraksha beads
	From:”Satsang with Baba” Vol 2,1972. Visitor: What is the importance of wearing rudraksha beads, and who is qualified to wear these beads according to the scriptures? Are these beads a sign of beauty? Baba: Rudraksha are not a small sign of beauty, they are a most important symbol of beauty. Just as in worldly life the beauty aids which you use are cosmetics, different ornaments, cremes and powders, in spiritual life, it is your rudraksha mala which is the best beauty aid. In ancient times, the ways in which one beautyfies himself were also useful for the body. But today, unfortunately, the ways of adormant are merely for fashion and have no use for the body or for other aspects of ones being. There was a time when people wore silk and pure cotton. These materials have great qualities; they are very good for the body. But today people wear artificial silk or things made of synthetics, and these are not at all good for the body; they create all kinds of trubles, and they affect the skin very badly. Whatever was recommended by rishis was good for the body, good for people in different ways, and it also enhanced beauty. Take another custom: for instance, here our women used to wear gold ornaments. Gold not only adorns the body, but it also has great medicinal value, because gold destroys all kinds of diseases. When our women used to wear a lot of gold, they would not fall prey to diseases so easily. But today, now that they have stopped wearing gold, they have to resort to ointments and bandages much too frequently. Rudraksha beads not only adorn the person, but they also are very useful in spiritual life. Moreover, rudraksha beads destroy germs, and they keep the blood pressure normal. Rudraksha beads free us from so many other troubles. It is essential for spiritual seekers to wear rudraksha beads because they are extremely useful. They insulate a seeker from all misfortunes and calamities. Besides, it is also the question of following the example of great people, and that is what the Lord emphasises in the Bhagavad Gita. There was a time when Mahatma Gandhi wore a plain and simple cap, and all his followers started wearing that kind of cap. It was Lord Shankara, right in the beginning of time, who was the first to wear rudraksha beads, and after Shankara, all the spiritual seekers started wearing them. There are different ways of keeping the body pure, say touching the body in different places with the repetition of mantras, wich is called nyasa, and washing it a number of times. But these ways cannot keep the body pure even for twenty-four hours. But if you are wearing rudraksha beads, they keep the body pure at all times, and you do not have to resort to other practices. All those who have faith and devotion are qualified to wear rudraksha beads. There is no other special qualification required for wearing them. Women are as qualified to wear them as men. Rudraksha beads have been honoured from time immemorial. They are mentioned in the Upanishads and also in the Vedas. If I were to put it concisely, I would say that rudraksha beads are Rudra Himself, Lord Shiva Himself. Posted by David Zaremba from Sweden

 

http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/showarticles.php?artid=203

From the Archives of Rudra Centre:

www.rudraksha-ratna.com

Study of the Chakras

Study of the Chakras
	The word ‘chakra’ is derived from the Sanskrit word meaning ‘wheel’. If we were able to see the chakras (as many psychics, in fact, do) we would observe a wheel of energy continuously revolving or rotating.  Clairvoyants perceive chakras as colorful wheels or flowers with a hub in the center. The chakras begin at the base of the spine and finish over the top of the head. Though fixed in the central spinal column they are located on both the front and back of the body, and work through it. Each chakra vibrates and rotates at different speeds. The root or first chakra rotates at the slowest speed, the crown or seventh chakra at the highest. Each chakra is stimulated by its own and complimentary color, and a range of gemstones for specific uses. The chakra colors are of the rainbow; red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. The size and brightness of the wheels vary with individual development, physical condition, energy levels, disease, or stress. If the chakras are not balanced, or if the energies are blocked, the basic life force will be slowed down. The individual may feel listless, tired, out of sorts, or depressed. Not only will physical bodily functions be affected so diseases may manifest, but the thought processes and the mind may also be affected.  A negative attitude, fear, doubt, etc. may preoccupy the individual. A constant balance between the chakras promotes health and a sense of well being. If the chakras are opened to much, a person could literally short circuit themselves with too much universal energy going through the body. If the chakras are closed, this does not allow for the universal energy to flow through them properly which may also lead to dis-ease. Most of us react to unpleasant experiences by blocking our feeling and stopping a great deal of our natural energy flow. This affects the maturation and development of the chakras.  Whenever a person blocks whatever experience he is having, he in turn blocks his chakras, which eventually become disfigured. When the chakras are functioning normally, each will be ‘open’, spinning clockwise to metabolize the particular energies needed from the universal energy field. As already mentioned any ‘imbalances’ that exist within any chakra may have profound effects upon either our physical or emotional bodies.  We are able to use our quartz crystals and gemstones to re-balance all our chakric centers and once the chakra has been properly balanced then our body will gradually return to normal. The reason why crystals and gemstones are wonderful and powerful healing tools are because of what science calls its piezoelectric effect.  (You can see this effect in the modern quartz watches). Crystals and gemstones respond to the electricity that is coursing through our body, and if the energy is sluggish, the constant electrical vibrations of the stones will help to harmonize, balance, and stimulate these energies.

 

http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/showarticles.php?artid=314