How to wear Rudraksha for the first time?

Wearing Rudraksha is one of the most ancient and effective ways to boost up one’s physical and mental wellness and spiritual growth. Scriptures say Rudraksha must be sanctified and energized beforevwearing. So in Onkarcraft we first sanctify and energise the bead or mala before sending or giving it to you. So you can start wearing your mala on any auspicious morning after bath as per your convenience.

Procedure of wearing Rudraksha:

1. Before Rudraksha is worn on the body it needs to be sanctified and energized. We atOnkarcraft sanctify and energize (awaken) your Rudraksha by full Vedic rites before sending to you. You can also
   get (other source) the Rudraksha energized from a Brahmin pandit in a Shiv temple.
2. Check for good dates with your Pandit. Rudraskha must be worn on an auspicious day. Monday are Lord Shiva days and could be chosen. Choose a Monday during Shuklapaksha (waxing phase of moon) or any other auspicious day connected to Lord Shiva.
3. Wear the Rudraksha after completing puja to Lord Ganesha and pray him to remove all the obstacles in the path of wearing Rudraksha. Then do puja to Lord Shiva. Chant the mantra ‘Om Namashivaya’ 108 times. The Rudraksha thus becomes divine, and creates a divine armour around it’s worshipper and bestows health,wealth and success.
4. Once you have worn the Rudraksha, now you are a spiritual aspirant. It is important that you chant the Bheej mantra appropriate to the type of Rudraksha you are wearing on a daily basis. Chanting can be in cycles of 3, 9, 27 or 108 as per your convenience daily in the morning or through out the day silently in your mind.
5. Bheej Mantras for different Rudrakashas are as follows:
   • Gauri Shankar Rudraksha: Aum Gauri Shankaraya Namah;
   • Ganesha Rudraksha: Aum Gan Ganapataye Namah;
   • 1 Mukhi Rudraksha: Aum Hreem Namah;
   • 2 Mukhi Rudraksha: Aum Namah;
   • 3 Mukhi Rudraksha: Aum Kleem Namah;
   • 4 Mukhi Rudraksha: Aum Hreem Namah;
   • 5 Mukhi Rudraksha: Aum Hreem Namah;
   • 6 Mukhi Rudraksha: Aum Hreem Hum Namah;
   • 7 Mukhi Rudraksha: Aum Hum Namah;
   • 8 Mukhi Rudraksha: Aum Hum Namah;
   • 9 Mukhi Rudraksha: Aum Hreem Hum Namah;
   • 10 Mukhi Rudraksha: Aum Hreem Namah;
   • 11 Mukhi Rudraksha: Aum Hreem Hum Namah;
   • 12 Mukhi Rudraksha: Aum Kraum Sraum Raum Namah;
   • 13 Mukhi Rudraksha: Aum Hreem Namah;
   • 14 Mukhi Rudraksha: Aum Namah;
   • Common Mantra : Om Namah Shivaya
6. Also “Om Namah Shivay” or “Namah Shivay” mantra energizes the Rudraksha beads when chanted with them. Keep the beads as close to your skin as possible. Rudraksha can also be kept in Puja room and prayed for benefit of whole family.
7. These beads can be worn at all times. However, many people remove the beads while going for a funeral or when visiting the home of a new born baby. It is believed that since this is a high energy stone it may not be advisable to wear it in such sensitive places.
8. Never touch the Rudraksha with dirty or soiled hands.
9. If you cannot wear this powerful bead every day, keep it securely in a neat, small box in your pooja room and offer daily prayers to it.
10. Always purchase the Rudraksha with your own money. Never borrow money to buy this powerful bead.
11. Ensure that you string the Rudraksha beads in a strong mala or thread. Utmost care should be adopted to ensure that the beads don’t fall on the ground.
12. Avoid eating non-vegetarian food or drinking alcohol if you are a regular wearer of the Rudraksha bead.
13. Clean the Rudraksha bead regularly. Don’t allow dust or dirt to accumulate in its pores. Wash Rudraksha with unboiled milk and water. This ensures that the sanctity of the bead is preserved. Place the Rudraksha in a clean plate and keep in front of the altar.
14. Remember to always oil the Rudraksha bead. Apply sandalwood paste on it. Offer Incense and flowers (Since the rudraksh is cleaned, applying sandal paste to it is usually done for beads or malas that are to be placed on the altar for worship. If they are for wearing, then waving or touching a bit of sandal paste or powder to the beads is fine. This is also a form of offering). This procedure is very important, in case, you are not using the bead regularly or have been storing it for a while.
15. Many people get confused with the shape and size of the Rudraksha bead. You just need to ensure that the Mukhi is well-defined and the contours are natural and clearly visible. There should not be any cracks near the center of the bead. Normally, a devoted person will get a sense of attachment, the moment, he or she places the Rudraksha on his/her palm. If you get that feeling, the Rudraksha is the right one for you.
16. Lastly, pray to Lord Shiva with devotion, asking Him to always bless you with His grace and Chant mantra ‘Om Namashivaya’. The more you chant these mantras, the more is the power of Rudraksha.