<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe ruling deity of the 8 Mukhi Rudraksha is Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed son of Shiva & Parvati, also known as Vinayaka, Ganapati & Vighnaharta. He is the lord of wisdom & the gatekeeper of every auspicious beginning, & the bead carries his grace of clear paths, sharp intellect & steady success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Shiva Purana’s Rudra Samhita tells how Maa Parvati shaped a son from the sandal paste of her body & set him at her door. When he stopped Lord Shiva himself from entering, Shiva’s ganas fought him, & in the battle the boy lost his head. To ease Parvati’s grief, Shiva gave him the head of an elephant, made him the leader of his ganas, & blessed him that he would be worshipped first, before every other deity. This is why every puja, yagya & new venture begins with Shri Ganeshaya Namah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The shastras give the bead more names. The Srimad Devi Bhagavatam calls the eight-faced Rudraksha Vinayaka<\/strong>. The Shiva Purana calls it Vasumurti & Bhairava<\/strong>, the form of the eight Vasus & of Shiva’s fierce, protective aspect. The Rudrakshajabala Upanishad names the Ashtamatrikas<\/strong>, the eight divine mothers, as its presiding deities, & says the bead pleases the Vasus & Goddess Ganga. Together they make the 8 Mukhi a bead of both new beginnings & protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Scripture mentions of 8 Mukhi Rudraksha<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe 8 Mukhi Rudraksha is described in the Shiva Purana:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u0965 \u0930\u0941\u0926\u094d\u0930\u093e\u0915\u094d\u0937\u0936\u094d\u091a\u093e\u0937\u094d\u091f\u0935\u0915\u094d\u0924\u094d\u0930\u0936\u094d\u091a \u0935\u0938\u0941\u092e\u0942\u0930\u094d\u0924\u093f\u0936\u094d\u091a \u092d\u0948\u0930\u0935\u0903 \u0964 \u0927\u093e\u0930\u0923\u093e\u0924\u094d\u0924\u0938\u094d\u092f \u092a\u0942\u0930\u094d\u0923\u093e\u092f\u0941\u0930\u094d\u092e\u0943\u0924\u094b \u092d\u0935\u0924\u093f \u0936\u0942\u0932\u092d\u0943\u0924\u094d \u0965<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\u0936\u093f\u0935 \u092a\u0941\u0930\u093e\u0923, \u0935\u093f\u0926\u094d\u092f\u0947\u0936\u094d\u0935\u0930 \u0938\u0902\u0939\u093f\u0924\u093e \u0905. \u0968\u096b, \u0936\u094d\u0932\u094b. \u096d\u0969 \u00b7 Shiva Purana, Vidyeshvara Samhita, chapter 25, shloka 73<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
According to the Shiva Purana, the eight-faced Rudraksha is the form of the eight Vasus & of Bhairava. One who wears it lives a full life, & after death attains the state of Shiva, the bearer of the trident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Srimad Devi Bhagavatam also speaks of this bead:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The eight faced Rudr\u00e2ksa is Vin\u00e2yaka. By holding this one gets abundance of grains, cotton, gold, etc., and in the end attains the highest place.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Srimad Devi Bhagavatam, Book 11, chapter 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rudrakshajabala Upanishad names its presiding deities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The eight-faced Rudraksha has the Ashtamatris as its presiding deities. Wearing it pleases the eight Vasus & Goddess Ganga, who are true to their word.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rudrakshajabala Upanishad, verse 29<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Benefits of 8 Mukhi Rudraksha<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nA genuine 8 Mukhi Rudraksha carries the grace of Lord Ganesh, which is why its benefits are spoken of in terms of clear paths, focus & success in new beginnings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>General benefits<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\nIt is traditionally worn to remove obstacles from one’s path, as Lord Ganesh is Vighnaharta.<\/li>\n\n\n\n It is believed to bring success in new ventures, from a business or a new job to a course of study.<\/li>\n\n\n\n It is believed to sharpen intellect, focus & the ability to make clear, timely decisions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n It is believed to ease the unsettling influence of Rahu, bringing steadiness in confusing or uncertain phases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n It is believed to bring abundance & material well-being, as the Devi Bhagavatam describes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Spiritual benefits<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\nIt is believed to free the wearer from past wrongs, as the Devi Bhagavatam describes, & to lead to the highest place in the end.<\/li>\n\n\n\n The Shiva Purana says the one who wears it lives a full life & attains the state of Shiva.<\/li>\n\n\n\n It is traditionally associated with the Muladhara (root) chakra, over which Lord Ganesh presides, & is believed to bring grounding, stability & a sense of being protected.<\/li>\n\n\n\n It encourages humility, patience & the wisdom to begin every task with devotion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Bhairava, Shiva’s protective form, & the Ashtamatrikas are said to guard the one who wears it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Health benefits<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\nWearers often speak of feeling more focused & settled when facing many demands at once.<\/li>\n\n\n\n It is traditionally believed to support mental steadiness & calm in uncertain phases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n The Shiva Purana links it with a full, long life.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nRudralife’s Note:<\/strong> The benefits described here come from scripture, tradition & what devotees have shared with us over the years. They are not medical claims, & a Rudraksha should never replace care from a qualified doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPrefer to watch? Dr. Tanay Seetha explains the benefits of all 21 mukhis \u2192<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n