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Blessings!

How were the Rudrakshas given to us, and what is their great value?

[Note: Rudrakshas are the grooved seeds of the Himalayan Rudraksha tree that are often worn around the neck or strung together as prayer beads. See the note below for the variety of Rudrakshas.*]

Though we have spoken about their greatness many times, and that wearing them is helpful to our body and soul, the deep value and importance of the Rudrakshas cannot be described easily.

Here is a brief story about how the Rudrakshas were given. After Lord Shiva himself entered and ended the Thrupura Vatham (the war with the asuric force in Thrupura kingdom), He was filled with gratitude that some of his loving devotees had been spared from the destruction. Upon seeing one great Yogi with His graceful eyes, well when we are in a joyous moment, we will shed tears of joy, so did Lord Shiva. His tears of joy dropped to the Earth and became rudrakshas.
 
In our lives we have some dense tendencies and face some dangers as well; rudrakshas are a potent representation of the grace that guards and lifts the vibration of the wearer, transforming one into a pure soul. Karma Sarva Bandha Vimosanaya Namaha. Which means: removes the karma, total attachments, releases the soul to reach Him. This is the praise of Sri Saamba Satha Shivan.

So, of the many great gifts from the Divine, we are specially blessed and fortunate to have the rudraksha with us. Having sprung from the tears of the deep devotion that the Divine has for us, they represent the grace that surrounds us always. This time of Maha Shivaratri is a time for honoring such gifts and such teachers in our lives. When we take a moment to honor what we've been given, we allow ourselves to receive more deeply and more completely.

This Thursday, 6th March, is Maha Shivaratri, the night of Maha Shiva. Make this time of Maha Shivaratri a time of holding in a place of honor those who have helped you and those teachers through whom Mother has poured out Her grace upon you. Breathe deeply and receive their mighty blessing beneath you, lifting you towards freedom.
 
OM NAMASHIVAYA
OM NAMASHIVAYA
OM NAMASHIVAYA
 
God Bless all of you
WE LOVE YOU ALL
 
Amma & Swamiji
 
* Rudraksha information:
Another name for Lord Shiva is Rudran, and the rudraksha was named after that. They are from the eyes of Shiva himself. Soma Suuryaakni Losanaaya, are the Sun, Moon, & Fire -- the three eyes of Lord Shiva. So to bless the devotees, out of the three eyes the rudrakshas manifested and praised as Bakthaanugrahaaya Namaha
 
The three eyes:

• One is the Sun where 12 types of yellow in colour rudrakshas
• Another eye is the Moon where 16 types of white colour rudrakshas
• The third eye, is the Fire where 10 types of white with black mixed colour rudrakshas were manifested.