Rudraksha Q&A: Part 3 - Conditioning Edition

Questions and Answers all related to Rudraksha conditioning are featured as the final edition of the three-part Rudraksha Q&A series. Check them out below: 

 

Does conditioning Rudraksha “re-energize” them? Or is it only to protect against brittleness/cracking?

 

Conditioning is meant to help prolong the lifespan of Rudraksha by preventing them from becoming brittle and cracking. Being immersed in ghee and milk every 6 months, and sesame oil every 1 to 2 years, is beneficial for the integrity of the Rudraksha. Conditioning does not “re-energize” Rudraksha. Rudraksha beads are of a certain quality by nature alone.


After conditioning, Rudraksha feels oily with a slight smell; can anything be done for this?

 

After conditioning Rudraksha, it may be slightly slippery and may smell of ghee and milk. Rudraksha can be covered with vibhuti as the final conditioning step to aid in removing any excess oil. To do so, take some vibhuti in your palm and gently roll the Rudraksha in it. Rudraksha should not be washed with water or soap before doing this. Vibhuti should be applied to the Rudraksha directly after removing it from the milk. 

 

Should the ghee be thrown out after conditioning? Can you use it to recondition the next time or cook with?

 

Once you have conditioned Rudraksha for 24 hours in ghee, the ghee can be used as plant food, as oil in a lamp, or can be saved for the next time you condition Rudraksha. The leftover ghee should not be consumed or used in cooking.

 

When conditioning a new Rudraksha, there is sometimes a yellow leakage coming from the beads - is this normal?

 

The first time a Rudraksha is conditioned after purchasing, there may be some leakage from the beads. The color can vary but is usually yellow or black. This is due to a protective process where mud is used to cover the Rudraksha after receiving it from the growers. When mud is applied to Rudraksha, it ensures the seed is maintained in its original condition, exactly how it was when it came from the tree. The differences in color depend on where the mud originated.

 

Are Rudraksha seeds supposed to get darker in colour the longer I wear them? Why does this happen? 

 

Rudraksha tend to become darker with time because of the substances it absorbs; this will be a combination of the ghee, milk, and sesame oil used for periodic conditioning, as well as your natural body oil and sweat. This is a natural process; it does not have to do with sadhana or yogic practices.

 

Read Rudraksha Q&A Part 1, and Part 2

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