How Do You Spell RUDRAKSHA?

Pronunciation: [ɹˈʌdɹakʃə] (IPA)

Rudraksha is a word derived from Sanskrit, a classical language of India. It refers to the seed of the Eliocarpus ganitrus tree, traditionally used for prayer beads and in Hindu religious ceremonies. The spelling of Rudraksha is pronounced /rʊdrəkʃə/ in IPA phonetic transcription, where the "r" is pronounced as a retroflex consonant, the "sh" sound is made by combining "s" and "h", and the diacritic mark over the "s" represents a voiceless consonant. The spelling of Rudraksha is important for maintaining the integrity of the word in religious and cultural contexts.

Meaning and Definition
Etymology
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RUDRAKSHA Meaning and Definition

  1. Rudraksha is a noun that refers to a type of seed traditionally used in prayer beads and various rituals in Hinduism. It is derived from the Sanskrit words "rudra," meaning Lord Shiva, and "aksha," meaning eyes. The term therefore translates to "the eyes of Lord Shiva."

    Rudraksha seeds are obtained from the evergreen Elaeocarpus ganitrus tree, primarily found in the Himalayan region of Nepal, India, and Indonesia. The seeds are characterized by their distinctive appearance, featuring multiple ridges and indentations forming a natural pattern on their surface, resembling a trident or a series of eyes.

    In Hindu religious practices, Rudraksha beads are considered sacred and have been used for thousands of years as a powerful aid for meditation, spiritual growth, and enhancing one's connection with the divine. The seeds are believed to possess intrinsic divine energy and are particularly associated with Lord Shiva, who is believed to have shown his compassion and blessings upon the seed. As a result, Rudraksha holds immense significance and is revered by devotees as a symbol of spiritual power, protection, and good fortune.

    The number of faces or grooves on a Rudraksha seed can vary, and each face is believed to represent a particular deity or governing planet, conferring specific benefits to the wearer. Different faces are associated with different chakras, psychic powers, virtues, and elements of nature. Rudraksha beads are commonly strung together in a mala, a string of beads used for counting mantras during meditation or prayer. The properties and effects of Rudraksha beads are also studied and documented in ancient texts like the Shiva Purana and Upanishads.

Etymology of RUDRAKSHA

The word "rudraksha" is derived from Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-European language. It is a compound word consisting of "rudra", which is one of the many names of Lord Shiva in Hinduism, and "aksha", meaning "tear" or "eye".

In Hindu mythology, there is a legend that Lord Shiva once went into deep meditation for the well-being of all living beings. When he opened his eyes, tears of compassion fell to the earth, and these tears took the form of Rudraksha seeds. Hence, the name Rudraksha signifies the tears or eyes of Lord Shiva. Rudraksha beads are believed to have spiritual and healing properties and are often used for prayer and meditation in Hinduism.