Rudraksha Recommendation Calculator - by Janma Rashi (Moon Sign)

Mukhi means face - the natural vertical clefts running down the bead. A five-mukhi has five, a one-mukhi has one, and each count is associated with a planet and a deity. Five-mukhi is by far the most common and is the one traditionally described as suitable for everyone, which is why most malas are made from it.

From your Janma Rashi, by way of the planet that rules your Moon sign. Each planet has its associated mukhi, so the Moon sign points to the bead. It is a simple and widely used method; some teachers instead choose by the ascendant lord or by the specific difficulty being addressed.

Be careful here. Genuine one-mukhi, and beads above fourteen faces, are genuinely rare, and the market for them is full of carved, joined and outright fake pieces sold at very high prices. The tradition holds that a real five-mukhi worn with sincerity does more than an expensive bead of doubtful origin.

Traditionally energised with the appropriate mantra, worn against the skin on the associated weekday, and kept clean. Common observances include removing it before sleep or during ritual impurity, and oiling it occasionally so it does not dry and crack. Practice varies by lineage, so follow your family or teacher rather than a single fixed rule.

A gemstone is said to amplify a planet's energy; a Rudraksha is a devotional object associated with Shiva that is described as calming and protective. It also carries none of the risk attached to strong stones, needs no astrologer's clearance, and costs very little. Many people who are advised against a gemstone use one instead.