Shloka 47
रुद्राक्ष-माहात्म्य
Rudrākṣa Māhātmya — The Greatness of Rudraksha
सर्वाश्रमाणां वर्णानां स्त्रीशूद्रा णां शिवाज्ञया । धार्याः सदैव रुद्रा क्षा यतीनां प्रणवेन हि
sarvāśramāṇāṃ varṇānāṃ strīśūdrā ṇāṃ śivājñayā | dhāryāḥ sadaiva rudrā kṣā yatīnāṃ praṇavena hi
శివాజ్ఞ ప్రకారం అన్ని ఆశ్రమాలు, వర్ణాలవారు—స్త్రీలు, శూద్రులు సహా—ఎల్లప్పుడూ రుద్రాక్షలను ధరించాలి. యతులు అయితే ప్రణవం (ఓం)తో సంస్కరించి ధరించాలి.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s ordinance on Rudrākṣa to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a site-specific Jyotirliṅga passage; it is a universal Śaiva ordinance (ājñā) extending Rudrākṣa-dhāraṇa to all āśramas/varṇas, emphasizing eligibility for Śiva-bhakti beyond social restriction.
Significance: Frames Rudrākṣa as a portable ‘tīrtha’ and marker of Śiva’s grace-access for all devotees, including women and Śūdras.
Mantra: प्रणव (ॐ)
FAQs
The verse universalizes Rudrākṣa as a Shaiva sādhana: by Śiva’s own authority it becomes a legitimate, purifying sign of devotion (bhakti) and remembrance of Pati (Śiva) for all stages of life, supporting inner discipline and liberation-oriented living.
Rudrākṣa functions as a constant external aid to internal Linga-centered remembrance—keeping the devotee aligned with Saguna Śiva’s grace while cultivating steadiness that matures toward deeper, more subtle realization.
Wear Rudrākṣa daily; for renunciants specifically, sanctify the wearing with the Praṇava (Om)—using it as japa and contemplative recollection while donning or touching the beads.