25. Śiva-Gītā on Rudrākṣa

“Every devotee desiring the devotion to Śiva, the Rudrākṣa (rosary) and the sacred ash have to be worn always whether according to rules or not”^[1]

One who wears the Rudrākṣa beads adorning his body with sacred ash,he is liberated even if he happens to be tarnished by the mortal sins. There is no doubt in the matter”.^[2]

Śaṅkara in his Śivānanda-laharī says that one attains the kind of release called sārūpya or similarity of form with Śiva in offering worship to him wearing Rudrākṣa and Vibhūti (sārūpyam Śiva-pūjane).^[3]

Let one carry out the religious acts of a Śaiva or not. But if one chants constantly the names of Śiva he is liberated.^[4]

In the Kaliyuga the chanting of the Lord’s names is the most efficacious means of winning his grace. Śaṅkara in his Śivānanda-lahari says that in the chanting of the Lord’s names like “Śiva”, “Mahādeva”one gets the place proximate (sāmīpya) to Śiva.^[5]

One who wears the Rudrākṣa and the sacred ash at the time of death, even though he is the meanest of mankind corrupted by the mortal and the minor sins”. The agents of the God of Death do not at all touch that man.

[...] Śiva Gītā XV.15

One who constantly wears the Rudrākṣa (rosary) on the head and the neck and chants the five lettered holy syllable (na-ma-śi-vā-ya), meaning “Prostrations unto the Lord Śiva, he is my devotee and he is dear to me. A great desire to know (this) exists in me, says Lord Śiva in Śiva-Gīta.

Thus the Śaiva Upaniṣads and the texts that the with Rudrākṣa highlight the Sanctity and the merits of Rudrākṣa.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Śiva Gītā XVI.20. [...]

[2]:

Ibid 21 [...]

[3]:

Śi.la.verse 28.

[4]:

Ibid 22 [...]

[5]:

Ibid 43 [...]