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
आदावामलकात्स्वतो लघुतरा रुग्णास्ततः कण्टकैः संदष्टाः कृमिभिस्तनूपकरणच्छिद्रेण हीनास्तथा । धार्या नैव शुभेप्सुभिश्चणकवद्रुद्राक्षमप्यन्ततो; रुद्राक्षोऽमललिङ्गमङ्गलकरः सूक्ष्मः प्रशस्तः सदा, हे उमे ।
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.