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 It
is easy to recognize authentic Rudraksa by its Facets or
Faces or Mukhis. Here the descriptive words describing the Mukhis
are interpreted to mean the deep lines from the lower part to the
upper part of the Rudraksa Bead. Authentic Rudraksa can easily be
recognized by looking at these deep lines or Mukhis and also by
observing the exterior surfaces of the different Mukhi Beads. The
different Mukhi Beads have distinctly different growth patterns of
the thorny surface protrusions.
Rudraksa have many sizes and shapes to include round, elongated,
semi circular, convex and flat. The smallest Rudraksa has the size
equal to the black pepper and then larger to the size of garden
peas and then the size of Amla Fruit. There are also extra large
Collector Grade Rudraksa. Beads from Nepal are large, round with
deep and well defined faces and have a natural hole and are much
sought after . Others found commonly in Srilanka and South of
India are flat and convex and holes have to be drilled in them.
Indonesian beads are tiny in size with not so deep and defined
mukhs on them.
In modern scientific studies specific to electromagnetic
properties the larger Rudraksa were found to show maximum
inductance and capacitance as compared to the smaller ones. This
information verifies the Vedic Knowledge regarding why Rudraksa of
larger size have been praised in the Puranas. To confirm this
again it is also normal to see pictures of the Gurus and Saints in
India who are wearing Malas of the larger Rudraksa.
Due to the increasing importance and price of Rudraksa it is also
made artificially and these artificial Rudraksa continue to be
sold in limited quantities in the marketplace.
One of the most common artificial Rudraksa sold are the 1 Mukhi
Round that is actually a 3, 4 or 5 Mukhi Round Bead with all
lines except one filled in with glue and powdered Rudraksa
from another bead. When floated in hot water the glue softens
exposing the bead. Also seeds from trees having fruits similar in
look to Rudraksha are sold with one line carved on them. They can
only be recognized by their look, feel , weight and smell by
experienced people. The artificial 1 Mukhi Rounds normally
sell in the area of US $500.00 and more. Investigations by
Rudralife has revealed that round 1 mukhi has not been produced by
any tree of Nepal till date , which only shows that all these sold
are fake without needing much further investigation.
Balls made of synthetic material are also carved with 21 to 27
lines and are beautiful collector items. Examples of these are
found in our fake bead section and they are really beautiful works
of art for the collector. The lines carved on these beads are
normally shallow and the surface of the Bead does not normally
have the deep contours of the real Rudraksa Beads.
In the general market place there is said to be other criteria to
recognize authentic Rudraksa such as sinking and floating of
Rudraksa in water and spinning between two coins. These are not
correct criteria. Rudraksa Beads are simply recognized as a
natural authentic Bead by inspecting the Mukhis and different
thorny surfaces and then purchasing according to the quality
desired.
Generally the 5 Mukhi Rudraksa are found easily. Rudraksa having
2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 Mukhis are found in less quantity and their
price is generally more than the 5 Mukhi Rudraksa. Prices are
established according to rarity in the market place and are also
determined by the quality of production of any one year.
Production is represented by about 20% highest quality and 60%
average quality. It needs to be mentioned that there are at least
two grades of Rudraksa that can be purchased.
The
golden test to recognize the mukh of Rudraksha is to cut the bead
horizontally and coun t the number of holes and seeds in the cut
section. The number of holes and seeds will be the same like the
number of lines or mukh. A 7 mukhi Rudrkasha will have 7
holes in its cut section and a 14 mukhi will have 14 holes.
Even the small size Indonesian bead if cut horizontally
shows the same features and you can see beautiful tiny holes equal
to the number of mukhas. The image on the right side shows
different cut sections of Rudraksha.
The price paid for Rudraksa does not affect its religious or
spiritual or medicinal importance or value. Retail prices range
widely depending on where Rudraksa are purchased. There is no link
or connection with the price of Rudraksa or the buying and selling
of Rudraksa and its religious and spiritual and medicinal
effectiveness and importance. What is most important is that the
Rudraksa be authentic and of high quality.
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