Rudraksha guide
Rudraksha mukhi chart: 1 to 14 mukhi
Rudraksha is the dried seed of the Elaeocarpus ganitrus tree, worn in Shaiva tradition. Its mukhi count, the natural ridges on the seed, is linked to a deity and a planet. Pick a mukhi below for its benefits, mantra and who it is traditionally recommended for.
| Mukhi | Deity | Planet | Mantra | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mukhi | Lord Shiva (Rudra) | Sun | Om Hreem Namah | Very rare |
| 2 mukhi | Ardhanarishvara (Shiva and Parvati as one) | Moon | Om Namah | Uncommon |
| 3 mukhi | Agni, the fire god | Mars | Om Kleem Namah | Fairly common |
| 4 mukhi | Lord Brahma | Mercury | Om Hreem Namah | Fairly common |
| 5 mukhi | Lord Shiva as Kalagni Rudra | Jupiter | Om Hreem Namah | Very common |
| 6 mukhi | Lord Kartikeya (Murugan) | Venus | Om Hreem Hum Namah | Fairly common |
| 7 mukhi | Goddess Mahalakshmi (also linked to Ananga) | Saturn | Om Hum Namah | Uncommon |
| 8 mukhi | Lord Ganesha (also linked to Bhairava) | Rahu | Om Hum Namah | Uncommon |
| 9 mukhi | Goddess Durga | Ketu | Om Hreem Hum Namah | Uncommon |
| 10 mukhi | Lord Vishnu (Narayana) | Protection | Om Hreem Namah Namah | Rare |
| 11 mukhi | Lord Hanuman (Ekadash Rudra) | Mars | Om Hreem Hum Namah | Rare |
| 12 mukhi | Lord Vishnu and Surya (the Sun) | Sun | Om Kraum Shraum Raum Namah | Rare |
| 13 mukhi | Kamadeva and Indra | Venus | Om Hreem Namah | Very rare |
| 14 mukhi | Lord Hanuman (Rudra's third eye) | Saturn | Om Namah Shivaya | Very rare |
Sources differ on the higher mukhis (10 to 14). Rudraksha is a matter of faith and tradition, not a medical or guaranteed remedy.
Frequently asked questions
What does mukhi mean in rudraksha?
A mukhi is one of the natural ridges running down the rudraksha seed. The number of ridges, from one to twenty-one, is what the mukhi system is built around. It is never carved or added afterwards.
Which rudraksha is best to start with?
Five mukhi (Panchmukhi) is by far the most common and is traditionally considered safe for almost anyone, which is why it is the usual first bead.
Does a higher mukhi mean a better rudraksha?
No. A higher count is rarer and linked to a different deity and planet, not stronger. Different mukhis are traditionally suited to different needs.
Which mukhi is for which planet?
See the chart above: 1 Sun, 2 Moon, 3 Mars, 4 Mercury, 5 Jupiter, 6 Venus, 7 Saturn, 8 Rahu, 9 Ketu. Sources differ for 10 to 14, so those entries say so.
Is rudraksha a medical treatment?
No. It is a matter of faith and Shaiva tradition, not a medical or guaranteed intervention.
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