Rudraksha Wearing Guide and Mantra Chart (1 to 21 Mukhi)
This guide brings together the traditional way to wear a Rudraksha bead, mala, bracelet or Siddha mala, and the beej (seed) mantra most commonly cited for each Mukhi. Every Rudraksha product page on Rudraksha Mart also has a short "How to wear" box with the mantra for that product.
How to wear Rudraksha for the first time
- Choose the day. Begin on a Monday morning, or on Purnima (full moon) or Mahashivratri, after bathing.
- Purify it. Dip the Rudraksha in clean water or Gangajal for a few minutes, then wipe it dry with a soft cloth.
- Offer it. Place it before Lord Shiva with a diya, flowers and sandalwood paste.
- Chant the mantra 108 times. Use the mantra for your Mukhi from the table below. For a combination mala, bracelet or Siddha mala, chant ॐ नमः शिवाय (Om Namah Shivaya).
- Wear it with devotion. A single bead is worn in a thread or a silver or gold cap, around the neck or on the wrist. A bracelet is commonly worn on the right wrist. A mala is worn around the neck or used for japa.
Rudraksha mantra chart: 1 to 21 Mukhi
These are the mantras most commonly cited in traditional texts and by Rudraksha practitioners. Some families and gurus follow a different mantra; if you have been given one, follow your own tradition.
| Rudraksha | Traditionally associated with | Ruling planet | Mantra |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Mukhi | Lord Shiva | Sun | ॐ ह्रीं नमः Om Hreem Namah |
| 2 Mukhi | Ardhanarishwara (Shiva & Shakti) | Moon | ॐ नमः Om Namah |
| 3 Mukhi | Agni Deva | Mars | ॐ क्लीं नमः Om Kleem Namah |
| 4 Mukhi | Lord Brahma | Mercury | ॐ ह्रीं नमः Om Hreem Namah |
| 5 Mukhi | Lord Shiva (Kalagni Rudra) | Jupiter | ॐ ह्रीं नमः Om Hreem Namah |
| 6 Mukhi | Lord Kartikeya | Venus | ॐ ह्रीं हुं नमः Om Hreem Hum Namah |
| 7 Mukhi | Goddess Mahalakshmi | Saturn | ॐ हुं नमः Om Hum Namah |
| 8 Mukhi | Lord Ganesha | Rahu | ॐ हुं नमः Om Hum Namah |
| 9 Mukhi | Goddess Durga | Ketu | ॐ ह्रीं हुं नमः Om Hreem Hum Namah |
| 10 Mukhi | Lord Vishnu | — | ॐ ह्रीं नमः Om Hreem Namah |
| 11 Mukhi | Lord Hanuman | — | ॐ ह्रीं हुं नमः Om Hreem Hum Namah |
| 12 Mukhi | Surya (Sun deity) | Sun | ॐ क्रौं श्रौं रौं नमः Om Kraum Sraum Raum Namah |
| 13 Mukhi | Lord Indra | Venus | ॐ ह्रीं नमः Om Hreem Namah |
| 14 Mukhi | Lord Shiva | Saturn | ॐ नमः Om Namah |
| 15 Mukhi | Lord Pashupatinath (Shiva) | — | ॐ ह्रीं नमः Om Hreem Namah |
| 16 Mukhi | Mahamrityunjaya (Lord Shiva) | — | ॐ ह्रीं हुं नमः Om Hreem Hum Namah |
| 17 Mukhi | Lord Vishwakarma | — | ॐ ह्रीं हुं नमः Om Hreem Hum Namah |
| 18 Mukhi | Bhumi Devi (Mother Earth) | — | ॐ ह्रीं हुं नमः Om Hreem Hum Namah |
| 19 Mukhi | Lord Narayana (Vishnu) | — | ॐ ह्रीं हुं नमः Om Hreem Hum Namah |
| 20 Mukhi | Lord Brahma | — | ॐ ह्रीं ह्रीं हुं हुं ब्रह्मणे नमः Om Hreem Hreem Hum Hum Brahmane Namah |
| 21 Mukhi | Lord Kubera | — | ॐ ह्रीं हुं शिवमित्राय नमः Om Hreem Hum Shivmitraya Namah |
| Ganesh Rudraksha | Lord Ganesha | — | ॐ गं गणपतये नमः Om Gan Ganapataye Namah |
| Gauri Shankar | Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati | — | ॐ गौरी शंकराय नमः Om Gauri Shankaraya Namah |
| Garbh Gauri | Goddess Parvati with baby Ganesha | — | ॐ गौरी शंकराय नमः Om Gauri Shankaraya Namah |
| Trijuti | Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh | — | ॐ नमः शिवाय Om Namah Shivaya |
Using a Rudraksha mala for japa
- A japa mala has 108 beads plus one Sumeru (guru) bead.
- Hold the mala in the right hand and turn one bead per mantra with the thumb, starting next to the Sumeru bead.
- When you reach the Sumeru bead, do not cross it. Turn the mala around and continue in the other direction.
- Keep the japa mala in a clean cloth pouch or on the pooja altar when you are not using it.
Wearing a Siddha mala
A Siddha mala combines beads from 1 to 14 Mukhi (or higher), with Ganesh and Gauri Shankar Rudraksha. Wear it around the neck with respect. Chant ॐ नमः शिवाय (Om Namah Shivaya) 108 times before wearing it for the first time; you may also chant the individual mantra of each bead. When you are not wearing it, keep it on the pooja altar.
Caring for your Rudraksha
- Take it off before bathing with soap, swimming or applying perfume and chemicals.
- Keep it clean and dry, and wipe it with a soft cloth.
- Now and then, apply a few drops of sandalwood oil with a soft brush so the beads do not dry out or crack.
- Re-tie a worn thread promptly so the beads are not lost.
Frequently asked questions
Which day is best to start wearing Rudraksha?
Monday is traditionally associated with Lord Shiva and is the most common day to begin. Purnima and Mahashivratri are also considered auspicious.
How many times should I chant the mantra?
Chant the mantra 108 times (one full round of a mala) before wearing the Rudraksha for the first time. Many people continue a short daily chant.
Can I wear more than one Rudraksha together?
Yes. Many people wear combinations in a single mala or bracelet. For a combination, chant Om Namah Shivaya, and you may also chant each bead's own mantra.
Can I wear Rudraksha while sleeping?
Many wearers remove it at night and keep it on the pooja altar or in a clean place, then wear it again in the morning. Follow your own tradition.
Which Rudraksha should I choose?
Browse by Mukhi on our Nepali Rudraksha and Java Rudraksha pages, or message us on WhatsApp at +91 97739 32299 and we will help you compare options. We recommend products; we do not offer astrology consultations.
Shop Rudraksha
- Nepali Rudraksha (1 to 21 Mukhi)
- Java Rudraksha (1 to 30 Mukhi)
- Rudraksha Malas
- Rudraksha Bracelets
- Siddha Mala
- Gauri Shankar Rudraksha and Ganesh Rudraksha
Rudraksha is worn as a spiritual and devotional practice. The associations and mantras on this page come from tradition. They are not medical, financial or astrological advice, and no specific result is promised.