Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Seed that takes about an year to sprout.

Do you know of any seed that takes about an year to sprout?
Let me tell you about Rudraksh.

The seed of the Rudraksh tree (Elaeocarpus granitrus, Utrasum-bead tree) is of great significance in Hinduism, and is recognized to possess mystical properties. Rudraksh beads are considered auspicious as well as powerful, and are supposed to have profound health benefits. There is a explanation in Vedic scriptures but I'll skip it for the moment. The Rudraksh trees grow tall and bear tiny white colored fragrant flowers that bloom in the rainy season. These flowers turn into black berry like fruits, that mature into brown-red colored Rudraksh seeds. When dried, the Rudraksh seed/bead is about the size of a marble with brainlike configurations which are commonly referred to as its “faces.” A bead’s value is determined not only by its size but by the number of faces nature has endowed it with. It may have one to twenty-one faces. Each of the different Rudraksh beads have distinct powers and properties. It has been shown that Rudraksh beads are considered to have electromagnetic properties and that they affect the human body when worn.

These beads are used to make rosaries and necklaces for prayer and meditation mainly used by Hindus and Buddhists, especially by saints and monks that gave them tremendous amount of tranquility, control over mind and concentration to meditate for a long period. The rudraksh necklaces are treasured by Indians who wear them to regulate the blood pressure and to tranquilize the mind against nervous disorders. Considered a major stress reliever, Elaeocarpus fruits are used in Ayurveda for mental diseases, epilepsy, asthma, hypertension, arthritis and liver diseases. Rudraksh is found in Nepal and India and only a trained eye examining the beads for years can distinguish between a fake and a genuine one. Fakes are thriving due to the rising demand of rudraksh and the lack of knowledge. Growing Rudraksh is not easy. It grows in tropical conditions and I've not heard much on the availability of saplings to plant. When genuine Rudraksh beads are sown it takes around one year for it to sprout to a plant. The potting mix needs to be kept well-watered at regular intervals. It should be moist but not waterlogged. Once about 4-5 inches tall, they can be re-potted into larger containers and finally the yard.

My dad's friend has recently experimented with one. I'll see him in a week, and update this post.

Photos courtesy: Internet
More links/resources:
http://findmeacure.com/2009/03/29/rudrakshaelaeocarpus-sphaericus/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudraksha

28 comments:

  1. This is intriguing. Wow, it will take a long time before there is enough seeds to string a rosary.

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  2. @Evelyn: Indeed! Fascinating ways of nature...

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  3. Hi,
    It was just recently that I curiously realised there was probably more to Rudraksh than it just being a natural found seed bead ... and is it wonderful to learn the rest from you ... Hmm ... now that explains a lot why many people refuse to part with their Rudraksh and claim ... its genuineness.

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  4. @Rajee: Yes, there was so much more to Rudraksh. I found this information riveting. I had no idea that a seed could take up to a year to germinate. I was totally taken!!

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  5. That was a revelation to me. Being a Hindu, i had grown up with Rudraksh being mentioned so many times, but till now I never paid any more attention to it. Your description has pushed up my curiosity. I hope your Dad's friend's experiment is successful, at least then we won't have to worry about the fakes.

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  6. Thank you for this information about this wonderful Rudraksh. I think I have seen these beads at Feng Shui shops before.

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  7. It's defininitely a long wait for one year. Looks like a hardy seed/nut too.

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  8. @Green thumb: I'm glad you liked the post. It's just amazing what nature has to offer. Thanks for stopping by.

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  9. @Autumn: I didn't know these beads have a role to play in Feng shui too :) Thanks, see you around.

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  10. @Stephanie: Oh yes, quite a hardy seed and so a long hard wait to see it sprout :)

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  11. Amazing. Looking forward to how the plant went. Beautiful photos too.

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  12. Hello Urban Green. I wandered into here from elsewhere (but I can't remember where I was!)and I'm very glad I found you - it was like having a trip down memory lane!

    I spent a year travelling around Asia many years ago, but reading your blog brought it all back. Thank you so much for that!

    I'm off to try your fish in green pasts recipe now :)

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  13. Very interesting! I knew absolutely nothing about these seeds and their meanings and uses. One year requires a lot patience for a seed to sprout, but it sound like it's an important tree to have growing.

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  14. Fascinating. What an unusual seed and plant. I can see why it so special to the Buddhists and Hindus.

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  15. Fascinating post - thanks for sharing your knowledge of this very interesting plant!

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  16. I really enjoy following your blog. It is fascinating learning about someplace so far removed from my little corner in Idaho!:)

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  17. Hi,

    This is one of the best blog post i have read in a long time. Thank you so much!

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  18. @Nutty Grome: I'm so happy that you liked my blog and tried my recipes. Do let me know how it turned out...

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  19. @Lanie: Thanks for stopping by. I loved the potato bag idea on your blog.

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  20. @Catherine: Indeed, very interesting. I got a photo of a sapling now. I'd put it up in a day or two. See you around :)

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  21. @Mary Delle: Yes, it's quite fascinating. I've been on a look out for more such plants in India and I do hope to keep posting more. Thanks for visiting my blog.

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  22. @Angela: I'm glad you enjoyed reading my post. See you around!

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  23. @Peggy: That's the idea - there is so much to discover here and more to share. Hope I manage to keep at it. See you around more often.

    @Raj: Thanks for stopping by and leaving an encouraging comment. It means a lot :)

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  24. Should i wear Rudrakhsa? Which Rudrakhsa should i wear?


    acai

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  25. @Neil: Sorry, I have no clue on this one. All I know is that one needs a trained eye to identify a genuine one...:(

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  26. Buy Rudraksha yantra and Rudraksha like 1 mukhi to 21 mukhi rudraksha from Divine Rudraksha.

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