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Rules of Purification and Sanctification of Rudraaksh
Shiv Puraan has only assigned a Mantra to each of the one to fourteen types of Rudraaksh. the Puraan does notsay how many times the Mantra needs to be recited or how the Mantra is to be recited or how the Rudraaksh needs to be energized. It simply says that the Rudraaksh must be energized with the respective Mantra. Other processes which I mentioned do not find mention in the scriptures but I am doing them myself which is why calling them value added services.

Generally all fresh Rudraaksh are very light in weight and float in water. The seed is also not ripe fully, hence these fresh Rudraaksh are soaked in a bottle of oil for a month or two by the wholesalers in Nepaal to make them look old and also germs and infests, if any, die and make the botanical Rudraaksh strong to withstand the biological decay and infestation.

[Any oil will usually do, as the oil more expensive is better for our physicomatic confidence. Usually a tiny crystal of natural Cinnabar (lingam) steeped in the oil add unexplainable vibratory energies, and a lot static electricity to the oil, (tingling sense of feeling) as well as to the Gemstone that been applied with the oil with steeped Cinnabar.]

Retailers like us buy such Rudraaksh and we gently clean these Rudraaksh with a new toothbrush especially along the contours and lines and the extra pulp leftover and dried is also cleaned. The hole is also cleaned or the passage made clear since it needs to be worn or stringed with a thread or a pendant. Rudraaksh with a natural hole is considered the best but if there is no natural hole, it is not inferior either. Then these Rudraaksh are cleaned in warm water so that the oily greasiness is gone and the Rudraaksh look fresh and clean. then these Rudraaksh are dipped in Gangaa Jal.

After the above purification process, the Rudraaksh are taken to a Swayambhoo Shiv Ling at an ancient temple and are kept atop the Shiv Ling and are then worshipped by performing proper Rudraabhishek with all Upachaar so as to treat the Rudraaksh itself as lord Shiv himself. Here since the Rudraaksh and the Swaayambhoo Shiv Ling are together worshipped, the energy from the Shiv Ling also come into the Rudraaksh. Many suppliers in Nepaal do make the costlier higher Mukhee Rudraaksh touch with the Pashupati Naath Shiv Ling before given to their customers. This is called sanctification.

After sanctification, the Rudraaksh is energized with the respective Mantra by reciting it at least 108 times. Shiv Puraan narrates the Mantras for each of the fourteen types of Rudraaksh. Since the process is not narrated, anyone can do any process as he thinks is best to his understanding.

Later, such energized Rudraaksh are worn on an auspicious Muhoort, by reciting the Sankalp which is called programming. Generally Sankalp is recited by a Pujaaree or a Braahman but if the native knows how to recite the Sankalp by incorporating the then year, season, month, fortnight, Tithi, Nakshatra and the self details such as Gotra, Nakshatra, Raashi and the desires to be mentioned in the Sankalp, natives can do it themselves.

Since the above is not found a mention in the Puraan as a rule, one may treat the above as optional. The above processes is not followed for the Rudraaksh Maalaa of 5-Mukhee which are sold from 100 rupees onwards for a 108+1 Rudraaksh Maalaa. So people do not buy them usually.

Rules to Wear Rudraaksh
It is advisable to use the true Rudraaksh with gold and jewel, on the head, neck or on one's hand. Never use the Rudraaksh worn by another person. Use Rudraaksh always with devotion; never use it while you are impure. Even the grass that grows with the air in contact with the Rudraaksh tree, goes verily to a holy region for ever. Jaabaal Muni says in the Shruti :-- "lf a man wearing Rudraaksh commits a sin, he gets deliverance from that sin. Even if animals hold Rudraaksh, they become Shiv; what of men.? The devotees of Shree Rudra should always use at least one Rudraaksh on the head. Those great devotees, who with Rudraaksh on take the name of the Highest Self Shambhoo, get themselves freed of all sorts of sins and pains. Those who are ornamented with Rudraaksh are the best devotees. It is highly incumbent on those who want their welfare to wear Rudraaksh. Those who hold Rudraaksh on their ears, crown hair, neck, hands, and breast, get Brahmaa, Vishnu, and Maheshwar under them as their Vibhooti (manifestations, powers). The Devtaa and all those Rishi that started the Gotra, the Aadi-Purush (the first chief men in several families), held with reverence the Rudraaksh. All the other Muni, that descended from their families, the ardent followers of Shraut Dharm, the pure souled, held the Rudraaksh. It may be, that many might not like at first to hold this Rudraaksh, the visible giver of liberation and so well written in the Ved; but after many births, out of the Grace of Mahaadev many become eager to take the Rudraaksh. The Muni that are the Jaabaal Saakhee are famous in expounding the inestimable greatness of Rudraaksh.

While Wearing Rudraaksh
[Taken from Sacred-Objects Group, by Pt Arjun, Dec 11+, 2008]

There are many things which are to be observed when wearing Rudraaksh ---
(1) One has to chant Mantra before wearing it
(2) The person has to be vegetarian - not to go for any activity like liquor drinking or any sexual activity while wearing and even if he is a Grahasthee,
(3) When one keeps Rudraaksh in the Poojaa Ghar it is not to be hanged but it is to be kept on the shelf.
(4) Re-wearing does need its Panchaamrit washing and chanting Mantra.

One person suggested that -
(1) Rudraaksh Maalaa is better with 108 beads than 54 beads.
(2) Before starting any Jap with Maalaa one should take the Maalaa in his right hand and chant the following Mantra - "Sat Namo Aadesh, Gurujee ko Aadesh, Aum Gurujee, Mukhe Brahmaa, Madhya Vishnu, Ling Naam Maheshwar, Sarvo Devo Namaskaaram Rudraaksh Namah" - 9 times.
(3) Then it should be washed with Panchaamrit and after that with Gangaa Jal or pure water.
(4) Never keep any Maalaa hanging, always keep Maalaa near Shiv Moorti lying on shelf or on some very pure piece of cloth.

How Many Rudraaksh Beads?
Shree Naaraayan said :-- "O Naarad, There are six kinds of Aachaman :-- (1) Shuddh, (2) Smaart, (3) Pauraanik, (4) Vaidik, (5) Taantrik and (6) Shraut. The act of cleaning after evacuating oneself of urine and feces is known as Shuddh Shauch. After cleaning, the Aachaman, that is performed according to rules, is named as Smaart and Pauraanik Aachaman. In places where the Brahmaa Yagya is performed, the Vaidik and Shraut Aachaman are done. And where acts, eg the knowledge of warfare, are being executed, the Taantrik Aachaman is done. Then he should remember the Gaayatree Mantra with Pranav (Om) and fasten the lock of hair on the crown of his head, thus controlling all the hindrances (Vighn Bandhan). Sipping again, he is to touch his heart, two arms, and his two shoulders. After sneezing, spitting, touching the lower lip with teeth, accidentally telling a lie, and talking with a very sinful man, he is to touch his right ear (where the several Devtaa reside). On the right ear of the Braahman reside Fire, Water, the Ved, the Moon, the Sun, and the Vaayu (wind).

Then one is to go to a river or any other reservoir of water, and there to perform one's morning ablutions and to cleanse his body thoroughly. For the body is always unclean and dirty and various diets are being excreted out of the nine holes (doors) in the body. The morning bath removes all these impurities. Therefore the morning bath is essentially necessary. The sins that arise from going to those who are not fit for such purposes, from accepting gifts from impure persons or from the practice of any other secret vices all are removed by the morning ablutions. Without this bath, no acts bear any fruit. Therefore everyday, this morning bath is very necessary. Taking the Kushaa grass in hand, one is to perform one's bath and Sandhyaa.

If for seven days, the morning ablutions are not taken; and if for three days, the Sandhyaa are not performed; if for twelve days, the daily Hom be not performed, the Braahman become Shoodra. The time for making the Hom in the morning is very little; therefore lest ablutions be done fully which would take a long time and hence the time for the Hom might elapse, the morning bath should be performed quickly. After the bath the Praanaayaam is to be done. Then the full effects of bath are attained. There is nothing holier in this world or in the next than reciting the Gaayatree Mantra. It saves the singer who sings the Gaayatree; hence it is called Gaayatree. During the time of Praanaayaam, one must control one's Praan and Apaan Vaayu to make them equal. The Braahman, knowing the Ved and devoted to his Dharm, must practice Praanaayaam three times with the repetition of Gaayatree and Pranav and the three Vyaahriti (Om Bhu, Om Bhuvar, Om Swah).

While practicing, the muttering of Gaayatree is to be done three times. In Praanaayaam, only the Vaidik Mantra is to be repeated, never a Laukik Mantra (see Kinds of Mantra) is to be uttered. At the time of Praanaayaam, if anybody's mind be not fixed, even for a short while, like a mustard seed on the apex of a cow-horn, he cannot save even 101 persons in his father's or in his mother's line. Praanaayaam is called Sa-Garbh when performed with the repetition of some Mantra; it is called A-Garbhaa when it is done simply with mere meditation, without repeating any Mantra. After the bathing, the Tarpan with its accompaniments, is to he done; ie the peace offerings are made with reference to the Devtaa, the Rishi, and the Pitri (whereby we invoke the blessings from the subtle planes where the high-souled persons dwell). After this, a clean pair of clothes is to be worn and then he should get up and come out of the water. The next things preparatory to practice Jap are to wear the Tilak (Teekaa) marks of ashes and to put on the Rudraaksh beads.

He who holds 32 Rudraaksha beads on his neck, 40 on his head, six on each ear (12 on two ears), 24 beads on two hands (12 on each hand) 32 beads on two arms (16 on each arm), one bead on each eye and one bead on the hair on the crown, and 108 beads on the breast, (251 in all) becomes himself Mahaadev. One is expected to use them as such. O Muni, You can use the Rudraaksh after tying, stringing together with gold or silver always on your Shikhaa, the tuft of hair on the head or on your ears. On the holy thread, on the hands, on the neck, or on the belly (abdomen) one can keep the Rudraaksh after one has repeated sincerely and with devotion the five lettered Mantra of Shiv, or one has repeated the Pranav (Om). Holding the Rudraaksh implies that the man has realized the knowledge of Shiv Tattwa.

O Braahman, The Rudraaksh bead that is placed on the tuft or on the crown hair represents the Taar Tattwa, ie Omkaar; the Rudraaksh beads that are held on the two ears are to be thought of as Dev and Devee, (Shiv and Shivaa). The 108 Rudraaksa beads on the sacrificial thread are considered as the 108 Ved (signifying the Full Knowledge, as 16 digits (Kalaa) of the Moon completed; Rudraaksh on the arms, are considered as the Dik (directions or quarters); Rudraaksh on the neck, are considered as the Devee Saraswatee and Agni (fire). The Rudraaksh beads ought to be taken by men of all colors and castes. The Braahman, Kshatriya and Vaishya should hold them after purifying them with Mantra, ie knowingly; whereas the Shoodra can take them without any such purification by the Mantra, ie unknowingly. By holding or putting on the Rudraaksh beads, persons become the Rudra incarnate in flesh and body. There is no doubt in this. By this all the sins arising from seeing, hearing, remembering, smelling, eating prohibited things, talking incoherently, doing prohibited things etc. are entirely removed with the Rudraaksh beads on the body; whatever acts, eating, drinking, smelling etc are done, are, as it were done by Rudra Dev himself."

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