DEFINITION AND MEANING OF WORD RUDRAKSHA - The word rudraksha is derived from two words - rudra (रुद्र) and aksha (अक्ष). A. Aksha means eye. Rudra and aksha means the one who is capable of looking at and doing everything (for example, the third eye). Aksha also means axis. Since the eye can rotate on one axis, it too is known as aksha. B. Rudra means the one who weeps. A (अ) means to receive and ksha (क्ष) means to give. Hence, aksha (अक्ष) denotes the ability to receive or give. Rudraksha is the one that has the ability to wipe our tears and provide happiness. THE RUDRA (RUDHIR, RUDRAKSHA) TREE - A. Creation of the rudraksha tree from the tears of griefshed by Shankar (or Shiva) upon seeing the unrighteous conduct of demon Tarakasur’s sons, and their destruction by Shiva : Through their righteous conduct and devotion unto Shiva, Tarakasur’s sons Tadinmali, Tarakaksh and Kamalaksh, attained divinity. After some time, seeing that they have returned to their original unrighteous conduct, Shankar was grief-stricken, and His eyes were filled with tears. A few of these tears fell onto the earth; a tree sprang up from these, which came to be known as the rudraksha tree. Later, Shiva destroyed the sons of Tarakasur. - Gurudev Dr. Kateswamiji B. General information on rudraksha tree : This is found at a height or depth of three thousand meters above or below sea level. The rudraksha tree grows in a narrow opening, not on plain ground. Its leaves resemble those of tamarind or nux vomica, but are longer. It yields one to two thousand fruits annually. The Yatis (Ascetics) in the Himalayas survive only on these fruits. These fruits are also known as amrutphal (Fruits of nectar). They satisfy thirst.
Posted on: Sat, 26 Oct 2013 12:23:54 +0000
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