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✨ SAHAJA YOGA MATS THAT GIVES BACK ✨

Rudraksha

Rudraksha trees are part of the evergreen tree family and grown in the subtropical climate and found in the Himalayas, Indonesia, parts of South East Asia and Nepal.  The name is a combination of two words Rudra – The fierce form of Shiva and aksha – Eyes, “The eyes of Shiva” or the tears of Shiva.  In the ancient text it is believe that Shiva meditated on the welfare of humans and cried tears of compassion.  The tears landed on Earth and formed the Rudraksha trees. It is pronounced Rud-ruck-sha.

The rudrakshas trees bears fruits that look like a blueberries and it is within these “blueberries” that you’ll find the Rudraksha seeds. Commonly known as beads, these beads are the seeds of the fruit.

Each Rudraksha varies in size, from 3 mm to 40 mm, with the smaller beads being the rarest.  Each bead has a number of markings on the face, called Mukhis and or Mukha, meaning Faces. The rudraksha bead we mainly use in malas is five mukhis, which is the bead that represents Lord Shiva and is the most commonly sought after bead.

Rudraksha beads contain carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. There are evidence based research from modern day science that support the many health benefits to aid in different ailments from mental, emotional, physical and spiritual level. Anyone can benefit from wearing a Rudraksha mala.

What makes Rudraksha seeds unique and special? 

Within each face or mukhi is the number of seeds.  Example 1 Mukhi there is 1 seed. 5 Mukhis there will be 5 compartments and 5 seeds found within the one casing.  Pretty amazing huh!

A quality Rudraksha mala worn around the neck is supposed to bring good health and well being to the wearer. Rudraksha malas used as japa mala are considered highly effective for meditation and prayers.

 

Significance Of 108

Why are there 108 beads on a mala?

A mala generally consists of 108 beads plus Meru bead. 108 is an auspicious number that appears to be interwoven into the fabric of humanity.

Some significant like

  • Sun and Earth: The diameter of the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Earth. The distance from the Sun to the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Sun.
  • Moon and Earth: The average distance of the Moon from the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Moon.
  • Silver and the Moon: In astrology, the metal silver is said to represent the moon. The atomic weight of silver is 108.
  • Numerical Scale: The 1 of 108, and the 8 of 108, when added together equals 9, which is the number of the numerical scale, i.e. 1, 2, 3... 10, etc. where 0 is not a number
  • 9 times 12: Both of these numbers have been said to have spiritual significance in many traditions. 9 times 12 is 108. Also, 1 plus 8 equals 9. That 9 times 12 equals 108. Powers of 1, 2, and 3 in math: 1 to 1st power=1; 2 to 2nd power=4 (2x2); 3 to 3rd power=27 (3x3x3). 1x4x27=108
  • Heart Chakra: The chakras are the intersections of energy lines, and there are said to be a total of 108 energy lines converging to form the heart chakra. One of them, sushumna leads to the crown chakra, and is said to be the path to Self-realization.
  • Sanskrit Alphabet: There are 54 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet. Each has masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti. 54 times 2 is 108.
  • Sri Yantra: On the Sri Yantra there are marmas where three lines intersect, and there are 54 such intersections. Each intersection has masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti qualities. 54 times 2 equals 108. Thus, there are 108 points that define the Sri Yantra as well as the human body.
  • Marmas: Marmas or marmastanas are like energy intersections called chakras, except have fewer energy lines converging to form them. There are said to be 108 marmas in the subtle body.
  • Chemistry: Interestingly, there are about 115 elements known on the periodic table of the elements. Most of those, around or higher than the number 100 only exist in the laboratory, and some for only thousandths of a second. The number that naturally exists on Earth is around 100.
  • Astrology: In astrology, there are 12 houses and 9 planets. 12 times 9 equals 108.
  • Goddess Names: There are said to be 108 Indian goddess names.
  • 1, 0, and 8: Some say that 1 stands for God or higher Truth, 0 stands for emptiness or completeness in spiritual practice, and 8 stands for infinity or eternity.
  • Breath: Tantra estimates the average number of breaths per day at 21,600, of which 10,800 are solar energy, and 10,800 are lunar energy. Multiplying 108 by 100 is 10,800. Multiplying 2 x 10,800 equals 21,600.
  • Meru: This is a larger bead, not part of the 108. It is not tied in the sequence of the other beads. It is the guiding bead, the one that marks the beginning and end of the mala.

 

All our Malas are hand crafted and created in Haridwar and Rishikesh India and have all been blessed in Mother Ganga as well as scared Puja ceremonies.