The Eleventh Book. Chapter 5
The Eleventh Book
Chapter V
On The Rudrksam Rosaries
p. 1067
1-14. s'vara said :-- O Krtikeya! Now I will speak how to count the Japam (repetition of the mantra) with the rosary. Hear. The face of Rudrksam is Brahm; the upper summit point is Siva and the tail end of Rudrksam is Visnu. The Rudrksam has two-fold powers :-- It can give Bhoga (Enjoyment) as well as Moksa (Liberation). Then string or tie together, like a cow's tail, and like the snake's coiling a body, twenty-five five faced Rudrksa seeds, thorny and of red, white, mixed colours bored through and through. The rosary is to taper as a cow's tail tapers down. In stringing the beads into a rosary, it should be seen that the flat face of one Rudrksam is in front of the flat face of another Rudrksam; so the tail, the pointed end of one, must come in front of the tail or the narrower end of another. The Meru or the topmost bead of the string must have its face turned upwards and the knot should be given over that. The rosary, thus strung, yields success of the Mantra (mantra-siddhi). When the rosary is strung, it is to be bathed with clear and scented water and afterwards with the Pachagavya (cow-dung, cow urine, curd, milk, and ghee); then wash it with clear water and sanctify it with the condensed electrical charge of the Mantra. Then recite the Mantra of Siva (Six limbed), with "Hm" added and collect the rosaries. Then repeat over them the Mantra "Sadyojta, etc.", and sprinkle water over it one hundred and eight times. Then utter the principal mantra and place them on a holy ground and perform Nysa over it, i.e., think that the Great Cause Siva and the World-Mother Bhagavat have come on them. Thus make the Samskra of the rosary (i.e., purify it) and you will find then that your desired end will be attained successfully. Worship the rosary with the Mantra of that Devata for which it is intended. One is to wear the Rudrksa rosary on one's head, neck or ear and controlling oneself, one should make japam with the rosary. On the neck, head, breast, or the ears or on the arms, the rosary should he held with the greatest devotion. What is the use in saying about it so often? It is highly meritorious and commendable
p. 1068
to hold always the Rudrksam. Especially on such occasions as taking baths, making gifts, making japams, performing the Homas,or sacrifices to Visve Devas, in performing the Poojs of the Devas,in making Pryaschittams (penances), in the time of Srdh and in the time of initiation, it is highly necessary to hold Rudrksam. A Brhmin is sure to go to hell if he performs any Vaidik act without wearing any Rudrksam. Note :-- It would be offering an insult to Siva!
15-29. It is advisable to use the true Rudrksam with gold and jewel, on the head, neck or on one's hand. Never use the Rudrksam worn by another. Use Rudrksam always with devotion; never use it while you are impure. Even the grass that grows with the air in contact with the Rudrksa tree, goes verily to a holy region for ever. Jbla Muni says in the Sruti :-- lf a man wearing Rudrksam commits a sin, he gets deliverance from that sin. Even if animals hold Rudrksam, they become Siva; what of men! The devotees of Sr Rudra should always use at least one Rudrksa on the head. Those great devotees, who with Rudrksam on take the name of the Highest Self Sambhu, get themselves freed of all sorts of sins and pains. Those who are ornamented with Rudrksam are the best devotees. It is highly incumbent on those who want their welfare to wear Rudrksam. Those who hold Rudrksam on their ears, crown hair, neck, hands, and breast, get Brahm, Visnu, and Mahes'vara under them as their Vibhtis (manifestations, powers). The Devas and all those Risis that started the Gotra, the dipurusas (the first chief men in several families), held with reverence the Rudrksams. All the other Munis, that descended from their families, the ardent followers of Srauta Dharma, the pure souled, held the Rudrksams. It may be, that many might not like at first to hold this Rudrksam, the visible giver of liberation and so well written in the Vedas; but after many births, out of the Grace of Mahdeva many become eager to take the Rudrksams. The Munis that are the Jbla Skhs are famous in expounding the inestimable greatness of Rudrksams.
The effect of holding Rudrksams is well known in the three worlds. Punyam (great merit) arises from the mere sight of Rudrksams; ten million times that merit arises by its touch; and by wearing it, one hundred Koti times the fruit arises and if one makes Japam every day, then one lakh koti times the punyam arises. There is no manner of questionings in this.
p. 1069
30-36. He who holds in his hand, breast, neck, ears, head, the Rudrksams, becomes an image of Rudra. There is no manner of doubt in this. By holding Rudrksams, men become invulnerable of all the beings, become respected, like Mah Deva, by the Devas and Asuras and they roam on the earth like Rudra. Even if a man be addicted to evil deeds and commits all sorts of sins, he becomes respected by all, on holding Rudrksams. By this men are freed of the sin of taking Uchhista and of all the other sins. Even if you suspend a Rudrksam rosary on the neck of a dog and if that dog dies in that state, he gets liberation! Then what to speak of others! By holding Rudrksams, men even if they be devoid of Japam and Dhynam, become freed of all sins and attain the highest state. Even if one holds merely one Rudrksa seed purified and surcharged with Mantra Sakti, he uplifts his twentyone generations, gets to Heaven and resides there with respect. I am speaking now further of the Greatness of Rudrksam.
Here ends the Fifth Chapter of the Eleventh Book on the Rudrksam rosaries in the Mah Purnam Sr Mad Dev Bhgavatam of 18,000 verses by Mahrsi Veda Vysa.
Chapter V
On The Rudrksam Rosaries
p. 1067
1-14. s'vara said :-- O Krtikeya! Now I will speak how to count the Japam (repetition of the mantra) with the rosary. Hear. The face of Rudrksam is Brahm; the upper summit point is Siva and the tail end of Rudrksam is Visnu. The Rudrksam has two-fold powers :-- It can give Bhoga (Enjoyment) as well as Moksa (Liberation). Then string or tie together, like a cow's tail, and like the snake's coiling a body, twenty-five five faced Rudrksa seeds, thorny and of red, white, mixed colours bored through and through. The rosary is to taper as a cow's tail tapers down. In stringing the beads into a rosary, it should be seen that the flat face of one Rudrksam is in front of the flat face of another Rudrksam; so the tail, the pointed end of one, must come in front of the tail or the narrower end of another. The Meru or the topmost bead of the string must have its face turned upwards and the knot should be given over that. The rosary, thus strung, yields success of the Mantra (mantra-siddhi). When the rosary is strung, it is to be bathed with clear and scented water and afterwards with the Pachagavya (cow-dung, cow urine, curd, milk, and ghee); then wash it with clear water and sanctify it with the condensed electrical charge of the Mantra. Then recite the Mantra of Siva (Six limbed), with "Hm" added and collect the rosaries. Then repeat over them the Mantra "Sadyojta, etc.", and sprinkle water over it one hundred and eight times. Then utter the principal mantra and place them on a holy ground and perform Nysa over it, i.e., think that the Great Cause Siva and the World-Mother Bhagavat have come on them. Thus make the Samskra of the rosary (i.e., purify it) and you will find then that your desired end will be attained successfully. Worship the rosary with the Mantra of that Devata for which it is intended. One is to wear the Rudrksa rosary on one's head, neck or ear and controlling oneself, one should make japam with the rosary. On the neck, head, breast, or the ears or on the arms, the rosary should he held with the greatest devotion. What is the use in saying about it so often? It is highly meritorious and commendable
p. 1068
to hold always the Rudrksam. Especially on such occasions as taking baths, making gifts, making japams, performing the Homas,or sacrifices to Visve Devas, in performing the Poojs of the Devas,in making Pryaschittams (penances), in the time of Srdh and in the time of initiation, it is highly necessary to hold Rudrksam. A Brhmin is sure to go to hell if he performs any Vaidik act without wearing any Rudrksam. Note :-- It would be offering an insult to Siva!
15-29. It is advisable to use the true Rudrksam with gold and jewel, on the head, neck or on one's hand. Never use the Rudrksam worn by another. Use Rudrksam always with devotion; never use it while you are impure. Even the grass that grows with the air in contact with the Rudrksa tree, goes verily to a holy region for ever. Jbla Muni says in the Sruti :-- lf a man wearing Rudrksam commits a sin, he gets deliverance from that sin. Even if animals hold Rudrksam, they become Siva; what of men! The devotees of Sr Rudra should always use at least one Rudrksa on the head. Those great devotees, who with Rudrksam on take the name of the Highest Self Sambhu, get themselves freed of all sorts of sins and pains. Those who are ornamented with Rudrksam are the best devotees. It is highly incumbent on those who want their welfare to wear Rudrksam. Those who hold Rudrksam on their ears, crown hair, neck, hands, and breast, get Brahm, Visnu, and Mahes'vara under them as their Vibhtis (manifestations, powers). The Devas and all those Risis that started the Gotra, the dipurusas (the first chief men in several families), held with reverence the Rudrksams. All the other Munis, that descended from their families, the ardent followers of Srauta Dharma, the pure souled, held the Rudrksams. It may be, that many might not like at first to hold this Rudrksam, the visible giver of liberation and so well written in the Vedas; but after many births, out of the Grace of Mahdeva many become eager to take the Rudrksams. The Munis that are the Jbla Skhs are famous in expounding the inestimable greatness of Rudrksams.
The effect of holding Rudrksams is well known in the three worlds. Punyam (great merit) arises from the mere sight of Rudrksams; ten million times that merit arises by its touch; and by wearing it, one hundred Koti times the fruit arises and if one makes Japam every day, then one lakh koti times the punyam arises. There is no manner of questionings in this.
p. 1069
30-36. He who holds in his hand, breast, neck, ears, head, the Rudrksams, becomes an image of Rudra. There is no manner of doubt in this. By holding Rudrksams, men become invulnerable of all the beings, become respected, like Mah Deva, by the Devas and Asuras and they roam on the earth like Rudra. Even if a man be addicted to evil deeds and commits all sorts of sins, he becomes respected by all, on holding Rudrksams. By this men are freed of the sin of taking Uchhista and of all the other sins. Even if you suspend a Rudrksam rosary on the neck of a dog and if that dog dies in that state, he gets liberation! Then what to speak of others! By holding Rudrksams, men even if they be devoid of Japam and Dhynam, become freed of all sins and attain the highest state. Even if one holds merely one Rudrksa seed purified and surcharged with Mantra Sakti, he uplifts his twentyone generations, gets to Heaven and resides there with respect. I am speaking now further of the Greatness of Rudrksam.
Here ends the Fifth Chapter of the Eleventh Book on the Rudrksam rosaries in the Mah Purnam Sr Mad Dev Bhgavatam of 18,000 verses by Mahrsi Veda Vysa.
