Bharatpedia

Rudraksha: Difference between revisions

Article Talk

Rudraksha (edit)

Revision as of 01:07, 17 May 2022

194 bytes added ,  17 May 2022
m
robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)
imported>Scyrme
m (→‎See also: bypass redirect)
 
m (robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit))
Line 1: Line 1:
{{pp-pc|small=yes}}
{{italic title}}
{{italic title}}
{{about|the rudraksha fruit and beadwork made from its fruitstones|the film|Rudraksh (film)}}
{{about|the rudraksha fruit and beadwork made from its fruitstones|the film|Rudraksh (film)}}
{{short description|Fruitstone used as a prayer bead in Hinduism}}
{{short description|Fruitstone used as a prayer bead in Hinduism}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=April 2019}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2019}}
Line 10: Line 8:
{{Saivism}}
{{Saivism}}
[[File:RudrakshaBeads.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|''Rudraksha'' beads are the dried stones of the fruit of the ''Elaeocarpus ganitrus'' tree]]
[[File:RudrakshaBeads.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|''Rudraksha'' beads are the dried stones of the fruit of the ''Elaeocarpus ganitrus'' tree]]
'''''Rudraksha''''' ([[IAST]]: ''{{IAST|rudrākṣa}}'') refers to a [[Drupe|stonefruit]], the dried [[Pyrena|stone]]s of which are used as [[prayer beads]] by [[Hinduism|Hindu]]s (especially [[Shaivism|Shaiva]]s), as well as by [[Buddhism|Buddhist]]s, [[Sikhism|Sikh]]s, and [[Islam|Muslim]]s.<ref name="Parashar2019">{{cite book|author=Singh M Parashar|title=Inner and Outer Meanings of Hinduism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YJq-DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT229|date=13 November 2019|publisher=Xlibris UK|isbn=978-1-984592-11-8|pages=229–}}</ref> When they are ripe, ''rudraksha'' stones are covered by an inedible blue outer fruit so they are sometimes called "blueberry beads".<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Pharmacognostic and antifungal investigations of Elaeocarpus ganitrus (Rudrakasha) | pmc=2929793 | pmid=20838538 | doi=10.4103/0250-474X.65021 | volume=72 | issue=2 | year=2010 | journal=Indian J Pharm Sci | pages=261–5 | last1 = Singh | first1 = B | last2 = Chopra | first2 = A | last3 = Ishar | first3 = MP | last4 = Sharma | first4 = A | last5 = Raj | first5 = T}}</ref> The ''rudraksha'' stones are produced by several species of large, evergreen, broad-leaved tree in the genus ''[[Elaeocarpus]]'', the principal species of which is  ''[[Elaeocarpus ganitrus]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=What Significance Rudraksha holds in Hinduism?|date=19 June 2017|website=NewsGram |url=https://www.newsgram.com/significance-rudraksha-hinduism/}}</ref>
 
'''''Rudraksha''''' ([[IAST]]: ''{{IAST|rudrākṣa}}'') refers to a [[Drupe|stonefruit]], the dried [[Pyrena|stone]]s of which are used as [[prayer beads]] by [[Hinduism|Hindu]]s (especially [[Shaivism|Shaiva]]s), as well as by [[Buddhism|Buddhist]]s and [[Sikhism|Sikh]]s.<ref name="Parashar2019">{{cite book|author=Singh M Parashar|title=Inner and Outer Meanings of Hinduism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YJq-DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT229|date=13 November 2019|publisher=Xlibris UK|isbn=978-1-984592-11-8|pages=229–}}</ref> When they are ripe, ''rudraksha'' stones are covered by an inedible blue outer fruit so they are sometimes called "blueberry beads".<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Pharmacognostic and antifungal investigations of Elaeocarpus ganitrus (Rudrakasha) | pmc=2929793 | pmid=20838538 | doi=10.4103/0250-474X.65021 | volume=72 | issue=2 | year=2010 | journal=Indian J Pharm Sci | pages=261–5 | last1 = Singh | first1 = B | last2 = Chopra | first2 = A | last3 = Ishar | first3 = MP | last4 = Sharma | first4 = A | last5 = Raj | first5 = T}}</ref> The ''rudraksha'' stones are produced by several species of large, evergreen, broad-leaved tree in the genus ''[[Elaeocarpus]]'', the principal species of which is  ''[[Elaeocarpus ganitrus]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=What Significance Rudraksha holds in Hinduism?|date=19 June 2017|website=NewsGram |url=https://www.newsgram.com/significance-rudraksha-hinduism/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922073228/https://www.newsgram.com/significance-rudraksha-hinduism/|archive-date=22 September 2020}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=March 2022}}


The stones are associated with the Hindu deity [[Shiva]] and are commonly worn for protection and for chanting [[mantra]]s such as [[Om Namah Shivaya]] ({{lang-sa|ॐ नमः शिवाय}}; {{IAST|Om Namaḥ Śivāya}}). The stones are primarily sourced from [[India]], [[Indonesia]], and [[Nepal]] for [[jewellery]] and [[japamala|mala]]s ([[garland]]s); they are valued similarly to semi-precious stones.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}} Various meanings and interpretations are attributed to ''rudraksha'' stones with different numbers of "faces" ({{lang-sa|मुख|mukha}}, {{lit|face}}) or [[locule]]s, and rare or unique stones are highly prized and valued.
The stones are associated with the Hindu deity [[Shiva]] and are commonly worn for protection and for chanting [[mantra]]s such as [[Om Namah Shivaya]] ({{lang-sa|ॐ नमः शिवाय}}; {{IAST|Om Namaḥ Śivāya}}). The stones are primarily sourced from [[India]], [[Indonesia]], and [[Nepal]] for [[jewellery]] and [[japamala|mala]]s ([[garland]]s); they are valued similarly to semi-precious stones.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}} Various meanings and interpretations are attributed to ''rudraksha'' stones with different numbers of "faces" ({{lang-sa|मुख|mukha}}, {{lit|face}}) or [[locule]]s, and rare or unique stones are highly prized and valued.


== Etymology ==
== Etymology ==
''Rudraksha'' is a [[Sanskrit]] compound word consisting of [[Rudra]] ({{lang-sa|रुद्र}}) and ''{{IAST|akṣa}}'' ({{lang-sa|अक्ष}}).<ref>The translation of ''{{IAST|rudrākṣa}}'' as "Rudra's teardrops" and definition as berries of ''Elaeocarpus ganitrus'' see: Stutley, p. 119.</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Illustrated Dictionary of Hindu Iconography|last=Stutley|first=M.|publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers|year=1985|isbn=978-81-215-1087-5|location=New Delhi, India}}</ref> [[Rudra]] is one of [[Shiva|Shiva's]] [[Vedas|Vedic]] names and ''akṣa'' means 'teardrops'; thus, the name literally means "Rudra's teardrops".
''Rudraksha'' is a [[Sanskrit]] compound word consisting of [[Rudra]] ({{lang-sa|रुद्र}}) and ''{{IAST|akṣa}}'' ({{lang-sa|अक्ष}}). [[Rudra]] is one of [[Shiva|Shiva's]] [[Vedas|Vedic]] names.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Stutley |first=M. |title=The Illustrated Dictionary of Hindu Iconography |publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers |year=1985 |isbn=978-81-215-1087-5 |location=New Delhi, India |pages=98, 119}}</ref>{{efn|{{harvp|Stutley|1985|p=119}}:"'Rudra-eyed'. Name of the dark berries of ''Elaeocarpus ganitrus'', used to make Śaiva rosaries ({{IAST|mālā}}), or necklaces. The berries have five divisions symbolising Śiva's five faces ({{IAST|[[pañcānana]]}})."}}


Sanskrit dictionaries translate ''{{IAST|akṣa}}'' ({{lang-sa|अक्ष}}) as eye,<ref>https://sanskritdictionary.org/aksa</ref> as do many prominent Hindus such as [[Sivaya Subramuniyaswami]] and Kamal Narayan Seetha; accordingly, ''rudraksha'' may be interpreted as meaning "eye of Rudra".<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dancingwithsivah00subr_0|title=Dancing with Siva|last=Subramuniyaswami|first=Sivaya|year=1997|isbn=9780945497974|location=USA|at=Search for "Rudraksha"in the page|url-access=registration}}</ref>
Sanskrit dictionaries translate ''{{IAST|akṣa}}'' ({{lang-sa|अक्ष}}) as eyes,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aksa: English Translation of the Sanskrit word: Aksa-- Sanskrit Dictionary |url=https://sanskritdictionary.org/aksa}}</ref> as do many prominent Hindus such as [[Sivaya Subramuniyaswami]] and Kamal Narayan Seetha; accordingly, ''rudraksha'' may be interpreted as meaning "eyes of Rudra".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Subramuniyaswami |first=Sivaya |url=https://archive.org/details/dancingwithsivah00subr_0 |title=Dancing with Siva |year=1997 |isbn=9780945497974 |location=USA |at=Search for "Rudraksha" on the page |url-access=registration}}</ref>{{page needed|date=May 2022}}


== Description ==
== Description ==
Line 26: Line 25:
Of the 300 species of ''[[Elaeocarpus]]'', 35 are found in India. The principal species of this [[genus]] is ''Elaeocarpus ganitrus'', which has the [[common name]] of "''rudraksha'' tree", and is found from [[Indo-Gangetic plain|the Gangetic plain]] in the foothills of the [[Himalaya]]s to [[Nepal]], [[South Asia|South]] and [[Southeast Asia]], parts of [[Australia]], [[Guam]], and [[Hawaii]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010513/spectrum/main3.htm|title=Bond with the beads|author=Koul, M. K.|date=2001-05-13|work=Spectrum|publisher=The Tribune|location=India}}</ref>
Of the 300 species of ''[[Elaeocarpus]]'', 35 are found in India. The principal species of this [[genus]] is ''Elaeocarpus ganitrus'', which has the [[common name]] of "''rudraksha'' tree", and is found from [[Indo-Gangetic plain|the Gangetic plain]] in the foothills of the [[Himalaya]]s to [[Nepal]], [[South Asia|South]] and [[Southeast Asia]], parts of [[Australia]], [[Guam]], and [[Hawaii]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010513/spectrum/main3.htm|title=Bond with the beads|author=Koul, M. K.|date=2001-05-13|work=Spectrum|publisher=The Tribune|location=India}}</ref>


''Elaeocarpus ganitrus'' trees grow to {{Convert|60|-|80|feet|meter|abbr=on}} and can be found from sea level to {{Convert|3000|m|feet|abbr=on}}. They are evergreen trees which grow quickly, and as they mature their roots form buttresses, rising up near the trunk and radiating out along the surface of the ground. The species tends to grow in narrow spaces rather than on open ground. Its leaves resemble those of the [[tamarind]] or [[nux vomica]] but are longer.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
''Elaeocarpus ganitrus'' trees grow to {{Convert|60|-|80|feet|meter|abbr=on}}. They are evergreen trees which grow quickly, and as they mature their roots form buttresses, rising up near the trunk and radiating out along the surface of the ground.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}


=== Fruit ===
=== Fruit ===
[[File:Blue Rudraksha Fruit.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Blue ''rudraksha'' fruits]]
[[File:Rudraksha Fruit From Java.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Ripe ''rudraksha'' fruits displaying their typical blue colour]]
The ''rudraksha'' tree starts bearing [[drupe]]s (fruit) in three to four years from germination. It yields between 1,000 and 2,000 fruits annually. These fruits are commonly called "''rudraksha'' fruit", but are also known as ''amritphala'' (fruits of [[Amrita|ambrosia]]).{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
The ''rudraksha'' tree starts bearing [[drupe]]s (fruit) in three to four years from germination. It yields between 1,000 and 2,000 fruits annually. These fruits are commonly called "''rudraksha'' fruit", but are also known as ''amritphala'' (fruits of [[Amrita|ambrosia]]).{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}


Line 35: Line 34:


==== Chemical composition ====
==== Chemical composition ====
''Rudraksha'' fruits contain [[alkaloids]], [[flavonoid]]s, [[tannin]]s, [[steroids]], [[triterpene]]s, [[carbohydrates]], and cardiac [[glycoside]]s. They also contain rudrakine,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322486571|title=Rudrakine chemical|website=Research gate}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Jawla|first=Sunil|last2=Rai|first2=D. V.|date=2016-06-08|title=QSAR Descriptors of Rudrakine Molecule of Rudraksha (Elaeocarpus ganitrus) Using Computation Servers|url=http://neredataltics.org/journals/index.php/GJPLS/article/view/591|journal=German Journal of Pharmacy and Life Science (GJPLS)|language=en|volume=1|issue=1}}</ref> an alkaloid which had been discovered in ''rudraksha'' fruit in 1979.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ray |first1=A.B. |last2=Chand |first2=Lal |last3=Pandey |first3=V.B. |title=Rudrakine, a new alkaloid from Elaeocarpus ganitrus |journal=Phytochemistry |date=January 1979 |year=1979 |volume=18 |issue=4 |pages=700–701 |doi=10.1016/S0031-9422%2800%2984309-5}}</ref>
''Rudraksha'' fruits contain [[alkaloids]], [[flavonoid]]s, [[tannin]]s, [[steroids]], [[triterpene]]s, [[carbohydrates]], and cardiac [[glycoside]]s. They also contain rudrakine,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322486571|title=Rudrakine chemical|website=Research gate}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Jawla|first1=Sunil|last2=Rai|first2=D. V.|date=2016-06-08|title=QSAR Descriptors of Rudrakine Molecule of Rudraksha (Elaeocarpus ganitrus) Using Computation Servers|url=http://neredataltics.org/journals/index.php/GJPLS/article/view/591|journal=German Journal of Pharmacy and Life Science (GJPLS)|language=en|volume=1|issue=1}}</ref> an alkaloid which had been discovered in ''rudraksha'' fruit in 1979.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ray |first1=A.B. |last2=Chand |first2=Lal |last3=Pandey |first3=V.B. |title=Rudrakine, a new alkaloid from Elaeocarpus ganitrus |journal=Phytochemistry |date=January 1979 |year=1979 |volume=18 |issue=4 |pages=700–701 |doi=10.1016/S0031-9422(00)84309-5}}</ref>


=== Types of ''rudraksha'' stones ===
=== Types of ''rudraksha'' stones ===
Line 129: Line 128:


[[Ch. Devi Lal Herbal Nature Park|Ch. Devi Lal Rudraksha Vatika]], is a {{convert|184|acre|km2}} grove dedicated to ''rudraksha'' which also has over 400 endangered [[ayurvedic]] [[Herbalism|medicinal]] herbs in [[Yamunanagar district]] of [[Haryana]] state in [[India]].<ref name=rf1>{{cite web|url=http://old.projectsmonitor.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=10212|title=Herbal Park at Hisar|author=PM News Bureau|work=old.projectsmonitor.com|access-date=23 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023075825/http://old.projectsmonitor.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=10212|archive-date=23 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[Ch. Devi Lal Herbal Nature Park|Ch. Devi Lal Rudraksha Vatika]], is a {{convert|184|acre|km2}} grove dedicated to ''rudraksha'' which also has over 400 endangered [[ayurvedic]] [[Herbalism|medicinal]] herbs in [[Yamunanagar district]] of [[Haryana]] state in [[India]].<ref name=rf1>{{cite web|url=http://old.projectsmonitor.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=10212|title=Herbal Park at Hisar|author=PM News Bureau|work=old.projectsmonitor.com|access-date=23 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023075825/http://old.projectsmonitor.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=10212|archive-date=23 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Groves are mostly found in [[Uttarakhand]] state of India.{{cn|date=May 2022}}


== Gallery ==
== Gallery ==
Line 142: Line 143:
=== Fruit ===
=== Fruit ===
{{gallery
{{gallery
|File:Original Rudraksh 07.JPG|Raw ''rudraksha'' fruit on the tree
|File:Original Rudraksh 07.JPG|Unripe ''rudraksha'' fruit on the tree
|File:Rudraksh fruits.jpg|alt1=Drying rudraksha fruits|On drying ''rudraksha'' fruits turn black
|File:Rudraksh fruits.jpg|alt1=Drying rudraksha fruits|On drying ''rudraksha'' fruits turn black
|File:Rudraksh fruit freshly plucked.jpg|Freshly plucked raw ''rudraksha'' fruit; when ripe these are blue in colour
|File:Rudraksh fruit freshly plucked.jpg|Freshly plucked raw ''rudraksha'' fruits; when ripe these are blue in colour
|File:Rudraksh in silver and fresh fruit of Rudraksha.jpg|''Rudraksha'' fruits; the fruit on the left has been partially defleshed to reveal the stone
|File:Blue Rudraksha Fruit.jpg|Ripe ''rudraksha'' fruits with typical blue colour
}}
}}


=== Stones ===
=== Stones ===
{{gallery
{{gallery
|File:1-mukhi-rudraksha.jpg|1-faced ''rudraksha'' stone
|File:Favorite selected big Rudrakshas .jpg|Handful of ''rudraksha'' stones
|File:Panchamukhi Rudraksha.jpg|5-faced ''rudraksha'' stone
|File:Panchamukhi Rudraksha.jpg|Red 5-faced ''rudraksha'' stone
|File:13-mukhi-rudraksha.jpg|13-faced ''rudraksha'' stone
|File:7 Mukhi Rudraksha cut into Half.png|Cross-section of a 7-faced ''rudraksha'' stone
|File:7 Mukhi Rudraksha cut into Half.png|Cross-section of a 7-faced ''rudraksha'' stone
|File:X-Ray of 10 Mukhi Rudraksha.png|X-ray of 10-faced ''rudraksha'' stone reveals 10 seeds storing chambers ([[locule]]s) and one central chamber
|File:X-Ray of 10 Mukhi Rudraksha.png|X-ray of 10-faced ''rudraksha'' stone reveals 10 seeds storing chambers ([[locule]]s) and one central chamber
Line 158: Line 158:


== See also ==
== See also ==
{{commons category|Rudraksha}}
{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
{{Portal |Religion| Hinduism }}
{{columns|
|col1=
* Similar religiously-significant natural objects
* Similar religiously-significant natural objects
** [[Shaligram]]
** [[Shaligram]]
Line 167: Line 164:
** [[Om Namah Shivaya]]
** [[Om Namah Shivaya]]
** [[Om mani padme hum]]
** [[Om mani padme hum]]
|col2=
* [[Prayer beads]]
* [[Prayer beads]]
** [[Japamala]]
** [[Japamala]]
Line 176: Line 172:
** [[Kombolói]]
** [[Kombolói]]
}}
}}
== Notes ==
{{notelist}}


== References ==
== References ==
Line 192: Line 191:
{{Worship in Hinduism}}
{{Worship in Hinduism}}
{{Shaivism}}
{{Shaivism}}
{{Portal bar|Religion|Hinduism|Plants}}
{{sister bar|auto=yes|wikt=rudraksha}}


[[Category:Plants in Hinduism]]
[[Category:Plants in Hinduism]]
Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/318544"