Shloka 46
रुद्राक्ष-माहात्म्य
Rudrākṣa Māhātmya — The Greatness of Rudraksha
आदावामलकात्स्वतो लघुतरा रुग्णास्ततः कंटकैः संदष्टाः कृमिभिस्तनूपकरणच्छिद्रे ण हीनास्तथा । धार्या नैव शुभेप्सुभिश्चणकवद्रुद्रा क्षमप्यंततो रुद्रा क्षोमम लिंगमंगलमुमे सूक्ष्मं प्रशस्तं सदा
ādāvāmalakātsvato laghutarā rugṇāstataḥ kaṃṭakaiḥ saṃdaṣṭāḥ kṛmibhistanūpakaraṇacchidre ṇa hīnāstathā | dhāryā naiva śubhepsubhiścaṇakavadrudrā kṣamapyaṃtato rudrā kṣomama liṃgamaṃgalamume sūkṣmaṃ praśastaṃ sadā
Oh Umā, las cuentas de Rudrākṣa que al principio son por naturaleza demasiado ligeras, luego se hallan enfermas, perforadas o mordidas por espinas, comidas por gusanos, o menguadas por agujeros hechos con herramientas—tales cuentas no deben ser llevadas por quienes buscan lo auspicioso. En cambio, el Rudrākṣa sano e intacto, sutil y bien formado, es siempre alabado como fuente de buen augurio para el culto del Liṅga de Śiva.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s worship-instructions to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Significance: Defines standards of purity/wholeness for sacred implements used in Liṅga-oriented devotion; reinforces that auspiciousness (maṅgala) depends on śuddha-upakaraṇa and right intent.
Shakti Form: Umā
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches that outer ritual purity supports inner steadiness: defective Rudrākṣa is avoided so the devotee’s worship remains sattvic, orderly, and aligned with Śiva’s auspicious presence in Liṅga-arcana.
The verse frames Rudrākṣa as an accessory of Saguna Śiva devotion—supporting Liṅga worship—while insisting that only sound, well-formed beads are fit for sacred use in pūjā and daily practice.
Use only intact, clean, well-formed Rudrākṣa for wearing or japa during Śiva-pūjā; avoid beads that are worm-eaten, thorn-damaged, overly light/defective, or artificially weakened by improper drilling.