Shloka 73
रुद्राक्ष-माहात्म्य
Rudrākṣa Māhātmya — The Greatness of Rudraksha
रुद्रा क्षश्चाष्टवक्त्रश्च वसुमूर्तिश्च भैरवः । धारणात्तस्य पूर्णायुर्मृतो भवति शूलभृत्
rudrā kṣaścāṣṭavaktraśca vasumūrtiśca bhairavaḥ | dhāraṇāttasya pūrṇāyurmṛto bhavati śūlabhṛt
Rudrākṣa, Aṣṭavaktra, Vasumūrti, and Bhairava—these are Names and forms of the Trident-bearing Lord. By wearing it (the Rudrākṣa), even one whose lifespan is spent is restored to full life and complete longevity.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Rudrākṣa-māhātmya to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Mantra: rudrākṣa / aṣṭavaktra / vasumūrti / bhairava
FAQs
The verse proclaims Rudrākṣa as non-different from Shiva’s potent forms; wearing it is presented as a protective, life-sustaining act that aligns the devotee with the Lord’s grace and auspicious power.
It emphasizes Saguna Shiva’s accessible grace: just as the Linga is a tangible focus for devotion, Rudrākṣa is a wearable, consecrated sign of connection to Shiva’s manifest forms like Bhairava and Aṣṭavaktra.
Rudrākṣa-dhāraṇa (wearing Rudrākṣa) is implied—ideally combined with japa of Shiva’s mantra (especially the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and a disciplined, sattvic Shaiva life.