Many get confused with the shape and size of Rudraksha. One should not seriously worry about it. Just see that the mukhi is well defined, corns and contours are natural, and there are no cracks near the central hole. The bead has to be lustrous and healthy and devoid of deep cracks and insect holes.

The beads are ancient Vedic beads of power and they work by touch, sight, worship or possession. So, you may wear them or hold them or keep them in your pocket or altar for worship.

Rudraksha is hot in nature. Some people cannot wear it. Their skin shows signs of allergy. In that case you may keep the beads in the Puja room and offer daily prayers.

Yes, they can. According to our holy books, Rudraksha can be worn at all times by everybody.There is no Shiva without Shakti. Hence Shiva and Shakti are 'One' and 'The Same'. They are two sides of the same coin: The Ultimate Supreme God/dess. All Rudraksha Beads contain Deva and Devi. Since the beads also represent Devi or Shakti,this means women can also wear Rudraksha. God is available to all who aspire. So is Rudraksha.

No, everyone can wear Rudraksha. Ancient texts have not limited wearing of these beads to any caste, religion or sex. Some ancient texts also talk of animals wearing them and achieving salvation.

The life could be any number of years. If well protected, they can be passed on from generation to generation.

No, Please avoid this. Hands get dirty often. Purity of the bead thus gets affected.

Yes, Shiva Purana especially states that Goddess Lakshmi stays where Rudraksha is.

Shiva Purana describe Rudraksha's origin as Lord Shiva's tears. He had been meditating for many years for the welfare of all creatures. On opening the eyes, hot drops of tears rolled down and the Mother Earth gave birth to Rudraksha trees.

Yes, Rudraksha is classified as a seed of Elaeocarpaceae family and has many medicinal properties. It is widely used in the preparation of Ayurvedic medicines.

Yes. Take a glass of water. Dip few beads of 5 Mukhi Rudraksha in it, preferably after sunset. Drink it when you get up in the morning, before any other intake. Do not use copper glasses.

Yes. Keep a big avla size 6 Mukhi Rudraksha with you. Whenever you feel nervous due to sudden shock and feel cold, just hold it tight in your right palm for ten minutes. You will regain your confidence and the body will start warming up.

We would say 'No'. We should avoid this. 1 Mukhi Rudraksha need high degree of self- control which growing children may not be able to cope up with. Children however respond very well to other lower mukhi Rudraksha.

No. There is a relationship between the wearer and Rudraksha, which is very private and must not be shared. But it can be willed and passed on to the next generation.

Shastras do not describe this. They are very rare to find, yet available. They are considered to be very auspicious and lucky.

We read in the Puranas that Rudraksha are to be worn in different numbers on the different parts of the body like head, neck, both wrists, both forearms, waist, abdomen etc. What is the purpose?

Yes. It is true for those who desire to acquire special Siddhis. The number of beads is very important when wearing on different parts of the body like 27 or 54 or 108 for the neck, 32 for throat, 6/11/15 for arms, 5 for waist etc.

Yes. Very much. But the therapist should be a well-experienced person. Rudraksha beads work on physical, emotional and planetary and karmic levels to heal a person and this kind of healing is most deep-rooted.