The Siva Purana identifies the six-faced Rudraksha with Kartikeya.
Source: The Siva Purana, Part I — Vidyesvara-samhita, Chapter 25 · Vidyesvara-samhita, Chapter 25 · Verse 71
6 Mukhi Rudraksha
A six-faced Rudraksha editorial dossier. Shaiva scripture associates it with Kartikeya; all spiritual benefits are presented as tradition, not guaranteed or medical outcomes.
Canonical identity
Rudraksha bead (Elaeocarpus angustifolius endocarp) · botanical fruit endocarp
Identification and authenticity
Identity: a dried stony endocarp sold as Rudraksha, botanically associated with Elaeocarpus angustifolius (Elaeocarpus ganitrus is a documented synonym). Count six naturally formed continuous surface divisions from pole to pole. Visual counting alone cannot prove species, internal structure, or absence of carving/gluing; use magnification and, for a valuable bead, independent X-ray/morphology examination. Reject cracked, worm-damaged, cut, glued, filled, or visibly recarved material.
Wearing or use
Use: it may be worn as a securely threaded single bead or used in a japa mala according to one’s Shaiva lineage. Siva Purana 1.25 gives Om Hrim Hum Namah for the six-faced bead and also recognizes the general Panchakshari Namah Shivaya. This is devotional practice, not a health treatment. Purification: no single universal milk, oil, river-water, weekday, metal, or elaborate energising sequence was verified; a safe simple preparation is to inspect it, briefly clean it with potable water when uncapped, dry it completely, and recite the chosen verified mantra with devotion.
Preparation and purification
No universal mandatory purification recipe was verified. Prefer a hygienic, non-destructive preparation: clean hands; brief potable-water wipe/rinse only if the bead and mount permit; complete shade drying; then devotional recitation. Do not consume soak-water. Do not claim that milk, ghee, oil, chemicals, or ritual treatment authenticates the bead or creates medical power.
Maintenance and precautions
Maintenance: keep dry after use; wipe gently; avoid prolonged soaking, chemicals, heat, impact, and damp storage; inspect thread and cracks. The Kartikeya association is scriptural; an additional Ganesha association in one consulted Upanishad translation remains edition-dependent. Hormonal, skin, diabetes, cortisol, planetary, chakra, attraction, and guaranteed-benefit claims remain unverified.
Evidence and sources
The accepted botanical name used for this dossier is Elaeocarpus angustifolius Blume; Elaeocarpus ganitrus is a documented synonym in current taxonomic sources.
Source: Elaeocarpus angustifolius Blume — Plants of the World Online · Taxon record · Elaeocarpus angustifolius Blume
Siva Purana 1.25.21–23 prefers sound, naturally formed beads, rejects worm-damaged, cut, broken, cracked or malformed material, and distinguishes a natural hole from a human-bored hole; these are textual selection criteria, not a complete modern authenticity test.
Source: The Siva Purana, Part I — Vidyesvara-samhita, Chapter 25 · Vidyesvara-samhita, Chapter 25 · Verses 21–23
Siva Purana 1.25 gives Om Hrim Hum Namah for the six-faced Rudraksha.
Source: The Siva Purana, Part I — Vidyesvara-samhita, Chapter 25 · Vidyesvara-samhita, Chapter 25 · Mantra list after verse 81: Om Hrim Hum Namah