Rudraksha Mala (6mm)

Rudraksha is a natural seed of the blue fruit of the evergreen tree Elaeocarpus ganitrus, also simply known as the Rudraksha tree, indigenous to the Himalayas and found in Nepal, India and other parts of Southeast Asia. In Sanskrit, the plural of Rudraksha is Rudraksham. The name literally means the tears of God , specifically, the god, Shiva. It is said, while contemplating the world s suffering, Shiva unexpectedly began to cry tears of compassion. As his tears fell to Earth, he transformed them to seeds for the benefit of those seeking freedom from suffering and union with the Divine. Hindus and Buddhists alike revere Rudraksham as holy beads , which confer peace, power and protection. Traditionally, Rudraksham are worn as necklaces, bracelets, and pendants and used for meditation. According to ancient tradition, when made into a prayer rosary known as a mala the quantity of beads strung together is some multiple of 9, with 108 being the optimal amount