The lore of Rudraksha beads can get quite complicated, but thankfully there is a good number of books on the subject, and I encourage everyone to read them.
This complexity goes to another level when the subject of Chikna beads is broached. I will do my best to explain Chikna beads to the best of my present understanding.
Please note that I feel that the description below is still incomplete, and hope to add to it with time.
Generally Chikna refers to the highest quality, most attractive, smoothest and densest Rudra beads. These are the Rudraksha beads that are often set in gold and silver.
Over the years I have come across three types of beads that are referred to as Chikna.
1. Indonesian Chikna, sometimes called Duplicate Chikna - very high quality, smooth and dense Indonesian Beads.
2. Semi-Pathri, higher quality than Indonesian Chikna, but slightly lower than the Pathri beads below.
3. Pathri Rudraksha, Pathri Chikna, Pathari - highest quality Indonesian Rudraksha beads. In my mind there is almost no difference between them and the more expensive Malaysian Chikna.
4. Malaysian Chikna - also highest quality, smoothest, densest, with clearly defined lines. The Malaysian variety is more expensive than the Pathri beads from Indonesia.
Rudraksha is probably the first among all beads to be used in malas. Its history spans millennia and it is still widely used today. The main properties of Rudraksha beads and malas, documented in ancient texts and experienced through practice, include:
Purification and Cleansing of the body and mind
Protection
Health and Healing
Concentration, Clarity and Focus of the mind
Emotional Balance
Alleviating fear, anxiety and stress, and
Replacing them with Peace, Tranquility and Calmness
Bringing about Good Luck, Prosperity and Abundance
Improving Awareness, Mindfulness and Memory
Material : 5-mukhi, Pathri Rudraksha from Indonesia
Size : 8.5, but might vary slightly
Lock: Sterling Silver Lobster Lock
Besides the general benefits, listed above, which are common to all Rudra beads, certain facet configuration, emphasize specific common qualities or exhibit their own unique characteristics.
Association : supports the intellect and memory, nourishes spiritual development and devotion, promotes self-awareness, eases nervous tension, anxiety and fear. Recommended for students, researchers and others who rely on their intellect and intelligence in daily activity.
Please note that we take every effort to assure that all the beads are 5-faced, it might inadvertently happen that a bead other than 5-mukhi slips in....This not take away from the authenticity and function of this mala. It is due to eye strain and if it does happen, it is a rare occurrence.
Seed and wood malas are natural products, and imperfections and cracks are at times inherent to their nature. We go to great efforts to pick through all the beads and use only the top quality ones that we deem proper, but nature is nature and expresses herself in her own unique way at the time of her choosing, so sometimes a bead or two might be imperfect. Please understand that this is normal.
It is said that the rudraksh plant grew out of tears of Shiva, the patron god of spiritual, or yogic, development and discipline. The seeds of this plant form the most auspicious and powerful malas and necklaces.
Rudraksha mala is associated with the fire energy, the element that purifies and transmutes the heavier and denser base materials into the light and warmth of pure spirit. This fierce spiritual movement is extremely helpful in focusing the mind and concentrating the spirit during meditation, prayer and mantra japas.
Good quality beads when worn as a necklace or a bracelet impart the wearer with extra energy, power and clarity of thought. The are said to be beneficial in the control of stress, and offer many other health benefits
Makes a great necklace or bracelet as well.
Every ten years or so, some of my customers remind me to revisit the issue of Rudraksha authenticity. So I decided to append this little explanation to all our Rudraksha offerings. There is a lot of misinformation on the net on this very subject.
1. Authenticity and forgeries only come into play with chikna rudraksha and expensive multi-mukhi beads, some of which run into thousands of dollars. As of this writing, standard five-mukhi Rudraksha is one of the most inexpensive beads available on the market, and, unlike the case of Sandalwood, precious stones, etc., there is absolutely no economic justification for the fabrication of fake beads. Natural beads of superb quality are abundant, and presently they are very affordable.
2. Water test
Supposedly, Rudraksha floats and imitations sink. I am not sure where this misconception originated but would like to briefly address it. First of all, Rudraksha is a seed which can be damaged by water, so unless it is well sealed with oil, it should not be immersed. That apart, beads that float are not as dense, hence weaker, as the beads that sink. Not all good quality beads have to sink in water, but in general sinking beads will last longer and are therefore more valuable. So this test is not only not recommended, but also misleading in the way that it interprets results.
3. Dyed Rudraksha
Traditionally, in India, all five-mukhi Rudraksha that is used for malas is dyed. Generally, shades of red are used. Undyed beads are light brown, and for some reason considered as unattractive in India. Lately, the demand for undyed beads has grown, esp. in the West. We offer both types. But rest assured that the quality of dyed and undyed beads is exactly the same. It is merely a tradition and aesthetic preference.
