{"collection":"Hinduism","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/hin/db/bk11ch05.htm","path":"hin/db/bk11ch05.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/hin/db/bk11ch05.htm","text":"THE ELEVENTH BOOK\nChapter V\nOn the Rudr\u00e2ksam rosaries\n1-14. \u00ces'vara said :-- O K\u00e2rtikeya! Now I will speak how to count the Japam (repetition of the mantra) with the rosary. Hear. The face of Rudr\u00e2ksam is Brahm\u00e2; the upper summit point is S\u2019iva and the tail end of Rudr\u00e2ksam is Visnu. The Rudr\u00e2ksam has two-fold powers :-- It can give Bhoga (Enjoyment) as well as Moksa (Liberation). Then string or tie together, like a cow's tail, and like the snake's coiling a body, twenty-five five faced Rudr\u00e2ksa seeds, thorny and of red, white, mixed colours bored through and through. The rosary is to taper as a cow's tail tapers down. In stringing the beads into a rosary, it should be seen that the flat face of one Rudr\u00e2ksam is in front of the flat face of another Rudr\u00e2ksam; so the tail, the pointed end of one, must come in front of the tail or the narrower end of another. The Meru or the topmost bead of the string must have its face turned upwards and the knot should be given over that. The rosary, thus strung, yields success of the Mantra (mantra-siddhi). When the rosary is strung, it is to be bathed with clear and scented water and afterwards with the Pa\u00f1chagavya (cow-dung, cow urine, curd, milk, and ghee); then wash it with clear water and sanctify it with the condensed electrical charge of the Mantra. Then recite the Mantra of S\u2019iva (Six limbed), with \u201cH\u00fbm\u201d added and collect the rosaries. Then repeat over them the Mantra \u201cSadyoj\u00e2ta, etc.\u201d, and sprinkle water over it one hundred and eight times. Then utter the principal mantra and place them on a holy ground and perform Ny\u00e2sa over it, i.e., think that the Great Cause S\u2019iva and the World-Mother Bhagavat\u00ee have come on them. Thus make the Samsk\u00e2ra of the rosary (i.e., purify it) and you will find then that your desired end will be attained successfully. Worship the rosary with the Mantra of that Devata for which it is intended. One is to wear the Rudr\u00e2ksa rosary on one's head, neck or ear and controlling oneself, one should make japam with the rosary. On the neck, head, breast, or the ears or on the arms, the rosary should he held with the greatest devotion. What is the use in saying about it so often? It is highly meritorious and commendable\nto hold always the Rudr\u00e2ksam. Especially on such occasions as taking baths, making gifts, making japams, performing the Homas,or sacrifices to Visve Devas, in performing the Pooj\u00e2s of the Devas,in making Pr\u00e2yaschittams (penances), in the time of S\u2019r\u00e2dh and in the time of initiation, it is highly necessary to hold Rudr\u00e2ksam. A Br\u00e2hmin is sure to go to hell if he performs any Vaidik act without wearing any Rudr\u00e2ksam. Note :-- It would be offering an insult to S\u2019iva!\n15-29. It is advisable to use the true Rudr\u00e2ksam with gold and jewel, on the head, neck or on one's hand. Never use the Rudr\u00e2ksam worn by another. Use Rudr\u00e2ksam always with devotion; never use it while you are impure. Even the grass that grows with the air in contact with the Rudr\u00e2ksa tree, goes verily to a holy region for ever. J\u00e2b\u00e2la Muni says in the S\u2019ruti :-- lf a man wearing Rudr\u00e2ksam commits a sin, he gets deliverance from that sin. Even if animals hold Rudr\u00e2ksam, they become S\u2019iva; what of men! The devotees of S\u2019r\u00ee Rudra should always use at least one Rudr\u00e2ksa on the head. Those great devotees, who with Rudr\u00e2ksam on take the name of the Highest Self S\u2019ambhu, get themselves freed of all sorts of sins and pains. Those who are ornamented with Rudr\u00e2ksam are the best devotees. It is highly incumbent on those who want their welfare to wear Rudr\u00e2ksam. Those who hold Rudr\u00e2ksam on their ears, crown hair, neck, hands, and breast, get Brahm\u00e2, Visnu, and Mahes'vara under them as their Vibh\u00fbtis (manifestations, powers). The Devas and all those Risis that started the Gotra, the \u00c2dipurusas (the first chief men in several families), held with reverence the Rudr\u00e2ksams. All the other Munis, that descended from their families, the ardent followers of S\u2019rauta Dharma, the pure souled, held the Rudr\u00e2ksams. It may be, that many might not like at first to hold this Rudr\u00e2ksam, the visible giver of liberation and so well written in the Vedas; but after many births, out of the Grace of Mah\u00e2deva many become eager to take the Rudr\u00e2ksams. The Munis that are the J\u00e2b\u00e2la S\u00e2kh\u00ees are famous in expounding the inestimable greatness of Rudr\u00e2ksams.\nThe effect of holding Rudr\u00e2ksams is well known in the three worlds. Punyam (great merit) arises from the mere sight of Rudr\u00e2ksams; ten million times that merit arises by its touch; and by wearing it, one hundred Koti times the fruit arises and if one makes Japam every day, then one lakh koti times the punyam arises. There is no manner of questionings in this.\n30-36. He who holds in his hand, breast, neck, ears, head, the Rudr\u00e2ksams, becomes an image of Rudra. There is no manner of doubt in this. By holding Rudr\u00e2ksams, men become invulnerable of all the beings, become respected, like Mah\u00e2 Deva, by the Devas and Asuras and they roam on the earth like Rudra. Even if a man be addicted to evil deeds and commits all sorts of sins, he becomes respected by all, on holding Rudr\u00e2ksams. By this men are freed of the sin of taking Uchhista and of all the other sins. Even if you suspend a Rudr\u00e2ksam rosary on the neck of a dog and if that dog dies in that state, he gets liberation! Then what to speak of others! By holding Rudr\u00e2ksams, men even if they be devoid of Japam and Dhy\u00e2nam, become freed of all sins and attain the highest state. Even if one holds merely one Rudr\u00e2ksa seed purified and surcharged with Mantra S\u2019akti, he uplifts his twentyone generations, gets to Heaven and resides there with respect. I am speaking now further of the Greatness of Rudr\u00e2ksam.\nHere ends the Fifth Chapter of the Eleventh Book on the Rudr\u00e2ksam rosaries in the Mah\u00e2 Pur\u00e2nam S\u2019r\u00ee Mad Dev\u00ee Bh\u00e2gavatam of 18,000 verses by Mah\u00e2rsi Veda Vy\u00e2sa.","title":"The Devi Bhagavatam: The Eleventh Book: Chapter 5","type":"page"}