Rudraksha meaningthe eye of Rudra [Shiva] is considered to be the most potent manifestation of

the Cosmic Force. Hence Rudraksha is the object of veneration and also the source to reach the
higher self. Rudraksha is often believed to symbolize the link between the earth and the heaven.
These beads are the seeds of the Rudraksha fruit obtained from Rudraksha trees. The Rudraksha
tree is botanically known as ELAEOCARPUS GANITRUS ROXB. Its English name is UTRASUM BEAD
TREE.

Rudraksha trees are mostly found in South Eastern Asian Islands of Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Bali, Iran,
Java, Timor (Indonesia) and parts of South Asian Kingdom of Nepal. Around 70% of the Rudraksha
trees are found in Indonesia, 25% in Nepal and 5% in India. Considered a major stress reliever,
reducing circulatory problems and of course as the best beads, the berry (Elaeocarpus Ganitrus) was
first spotted in Indonesia and is now grown in Nepal and Hardware. However, because it is
expensive, clinical research of its medicinal properties has not been possible, often resulting in the
berry being subjected to esoteric mumbo jumbo.

There are clefts called Mukhi on the surface of the beads. The number of Mukhi on the surface of a
Rudraksha beads helps in determining its quality. According to the number of Mukhi the Rudraksha
bead ranges from single face to a several faced bead. Asians have used Rudraksha beads
traditionally. Asian Yogis and Monks found that merely wearing the Rudraksha beads gave them
astonishingly tremendous amount of tranquility, concentration that helped them meditate for a long
period of time with spectacular control over their mind