Rudraksha Mala Side Effects: Not Myths

“The mala doesn’t cause discomfort. It reflects your misalignment.” —

I always believed in the spiritual power of Rudraksha beads. And if you are here, maybe you do too.

Hello, I am Jivansh, and I am here to share my sacred journey of rudraksha with faith, belief, and not fear. 

Over the years, I have found many people wearing rudraksha with faith and believing in Lord Shiva. But then, some came to me —worried, scared, confused, asking ‘‘Jhivansh Ji, is this safe?’ 

Their fear shook me. I was confused, seeking to find the truth because – because deep down, my heart always belonged to Lord Shiva.

So, I set out to understand rudraksha on a deeper level.  And, I realized what many people call “rudraksha side effects” are “signs”. Rudraksha doesn’t harm—it reveals.

So, let’s walk this journey together. Let’s rediscover the truth behind rudraksha mala side effects —not with anxiety, but with peace, devotion, and understanding.

Why Do People Experience Side Effects After Wearing Rudraksha Mala?

People often ask me, “Jhivansh Ji, are there side effects of wearing a rudraksha mala? Over the years, I’ve guided thousands of seekers on their spiritual path. 

I have also encountered many people who shared their experiences after wearing a rudraksha. I still remember a boy telling me – 

“Jhivansh ji, rudraksha mala pehna aur sar dard ho gaya. Ghabrahat ho rahi hai. Kya yeh galat hai?” – This is one of the most common questions I receive from many.  

Well, let me speak from the heart — “rudraksha mala never harms, never has, and never will” .

The rudraksha mala side effects that people talk about are not side effects. They are just signs. Some signs and something within you must be stirred, released, or resisted. 

You see, rudraksha is not just a bead; it’s an emotion, a strong living energy, a purifier that can give us inner strength, mental peace, clarity, and satisfaction. 

That’s why some feel heaviness, dizziness, or even emotional surges. It’s not the mala causing any discomfort. It’s what the mala activates in you. This is the real rudraksha mala discomfort reason.

So if you ask, “Why rudraksha mala feels heavy?”, the answer is — it’s your energetic misalignment responding to its powerful vibration. If you think it’s the mala – it’s not, it’s awakening what is already within you. 

Shiva Purana, Vidyeshwara Samhita, describes rudraksha as not just a bead but a divine tool that helps remove sins and activate dormant energies. 

So, my advice is to consider it as a spiritual detox. When you wear rudraksha, it starts purifying your inner self. Remember, “rudraksha never punishes — it cleanses, heals, and elevates.” So, don’t fear the process; rather, embrace it.

Still confused? I’ve written more on this in detail. If you read the side effects of wearing rudraksha, you will better understand what is happening. 

10 Real Mistakes That Lead to Rudraksha Mala Side Effects

People often ask me, “Why do you wear rudraksha? I smile and answer, “I am a devotee of Lord Shiva. When I wear this, I feel calm, relaxed, positive”. 

Many even asked me, “Aren’t you afraid of the side effects of rudraksha mala?” Absolutely, not. 

When I started my journey with rudraksha, I slowly realized that those are not side effects but our mistakes – our inner selves unknowingly make. 

So, let me share what I have learnt and the real mistakes people often make. 

1. Using Someone Else’s Rudraksha Mala

Once, a 21-year-old girl asked me, “Brother, can I wear someone else’s rudraksha mala? My uncle gifted me this; he said it’s a blessing from a tantrik.” 

What do you think? What was my answer? Technically, yes, but spiritually? Absolutely No. Because not every truth can be revealed with logic. 

Rudraksha can absorb and store the energetic imprints of the wearer — their thoughts, emotions, and even their karmic residue. So, when you wear someone else’s mala, you’re not just wearing the beads but carrying a piece of their aura.

The Padma Purana advises, “rudraksha worn by others should be purified before reuse.” 

Let me explain this. Imagine the previous wearer was a tantrik, someone who has done many things with tantra or mantra or even gone through so many negative phases of life.

Those positive and negative energies can start to change things in your life. As a result, this may lead to confusion, heaviness, or even emotional imbalance.

So, what’s the fix? Rudraksha mala energy transfer is real. So, before wearing someone else’s rudraksha, follow a proper cleansing and energizing process. If you are unsure, check the guide on how to re-energize rudraksha at home. It will make your spiritual journey safe by keeping the energy neutral. 

2. Wearing Without Prana Pratishtha

Prana pratishtha: I believe this is one of the most sacred steps when starting your rudraksha journey.

When I started my journey with rudraksha, I met many souls who said, “Jhivansh Ji, I have brought it from a marketplace, so wear it instantly. But I felt nothing, better to say, felt empty”.  

Some even stated bad consequences, “Jhivansh Ji, why does it feel so off? Why am I getting the feeling that something is wrong?” 

Well, this is very normal to feel.  Because that’s exactly what I felt — “a lamp without its flame. I’ve worn it that way once, and it felt… hollow.”

In the Shiva Purana, Rudraksha Mahatmya, energization with mantras is described as essential to awaken its divine frequency.

Do you know that I never wear a rudraksha mala — even for a few minutes — unless I sit calmly and chant the rudraksha mala activation mantra. 

Here’s how I usually do it:

• Bathe the bead in clean water with ganga jal or raw cow milk.
• And then, chant “Om Namah Shivaya” or “Om Hreem Namah” 108 times. 
• Also, I hold it in both palms and offer it mentally to Lord Shiva.

However, if you want to know how to energize rudraksha mala, the guide on rudrakshsa prana pratishtha pooja can show you the correct path.  

3. Wearing Jaap Mala as Neck Mala

Many have asked me, “Jhivansh Ji, can I wear jaap mala?” This is a mistake and very common, I often find. “And I say this as a devotee of Lord Shiva — it’s an honest mistake I’ve made, too.”

If you have used the mala for chanting, it holds the mantra’s frequency significantly. But wearing the same mala around the neck exposes your mala to sweat, noise, pollution, and tamasic vibrations – it slowly starts fading the mantra’s power, weakening the connection you built. 

According to Mantra Yoga, it is clearly instructed that the Jaap mala should not be used as an ornament.

“Japamālāṁ na bhūṣaṇam.”

This means that the chanting mala is not an ornament.
Mala for chanting vs wearing may sound so simple, but there is a keen difference between these two. If you are still in doubt, read the guide to know the dos and don’ts before and after wearing rudraksha.

4. Wearing Chemically Polished or Fake Mala

Shiv Samhita warns against impure or deceitfully acquired spiritual items. And, I think there is nothing wrong with stating that the market is full of fakes. 

Yes, unfortunately, fake rudraksha exists, and they are more common than you think. There are many retail stores and online marketplaces that sell Bhadraksha instead of Rudraksha. 

Some are even dipped in chemicals to bring the shine. Some are plastic. And, you would not believe — how many times I have found such a lifeless, hollow rudraksha. No divineness, no Lord Shiva there.”

I have found hundreds of pieces like that. Some even fooled many of my students emotionally, playing mind games.  So, it is necessary to learn how to identify original rudraksha mala. 

Here, I am mentioning what I always look for in a true rudraksha:

• A natural hole through the bead (not a hole created with a drill, be careful)
• Visible mukhis (faces) with lines from top to bottom
• No unnatural shine because these are 100% fake

I often tell rudraksha seekers, “Don’t expect to connect to the universe if you wear a lab-grown or fake rudraksha mala”. I believe you should learn the skills required to identify genuine rudraksha. 

5. Letting Others Touch Your Mala

As per Tantra logic, “Mantra-spoiled beads must be purified again.” Do you know why? Because rudraksha is like a sponge, it can absorb the vibration. 

Once, one of my students asked me, “Acharya Ji, how can I stop others from touching my rudraksha mala?” I smiled because the same thing happened to me, too. 

I am telling you about those days when I started using that mala. One day, I left my mala on a temple railing — by mistake. A little child touched it. Sweet soul. But when I wore it again… something had shifted.”

That was the moment when I realized what the consequences could be if someone else touches your mala. I re-energized the mala again and then wore it back.

Then, I understood the facts about rudraksha mala spiritual contamination. I learnt that every touch, even if it is pure and casual, carries significant energy. And rudraksha absorbs it. 

So, as per my advice, always keep your mala close and personal.

6. Wearing Mala While in Tamasic State (e.g. alcohol, meat)

Wearing a mala while in a tamasic state is where the rudraksha feels most intense. Remember, rudraksha doesn’t judge. But its frequency amplifies. If your energy is tamasic, you may feel the intense clash — like ghee on fire.

So, if you’ve consumed alcohol, eaten non-veg, or been involved in a heated argument, you may start feeling heavy, hot, or overwhelmed with the mala.

“Sattvaṁ rudrākṣaṁ sevayet.” – It means rudraksha loves sattva, and that’s why, while wearing, maintaining purity is important.  

I’ve seen many friends who felt mentally disturbed after wearing a rudraksha mala. No, there are not any rudraksha mala negative effects – it’s just two opposite vibrations clashing – rudraksha mala and non-veg. 

Remember that rudraksha and purity are linked to each other. I often get this question, “Can we eat non-veg after wearing rudraksha?” Then, I suggest you read the guide to understand the consequences well. 

7. Wearing Mala Without Positive Lifestyle Support

“Rudraksha doesn’t fix your life. It mirrors it.” — Do you know what it means? 

Rudraksha holds a mirror revealing where healing is needed. And, if you want to see genuine rudraksha healing effects, you must maintain a lifestyle with positivity, discipline, and inner work. 

Many seekers ask, “Why do I feel irritated after wearing my rudraksha?” And, I question back: “How do you feel nowadays, what is your inner state saying?” 

Remember, if your life is built on gossip, greed, or you are going through inner conflict, the mala will reflect it, not cover it. 

There is a fine string connecting rudraksha and emotional balance. Yes, just like a mirror. 

It doesn’t create the chaos you see—it only shows what’s already there—rudraksha in the same way reflects the state of your inner world. It doesn’t judge. It doesn’t fix. It just helps to start the healing process. 

Additionally, if you are suffering from any health issues that are preventing you from living a positive life, explore the medicinal benefits of rudraksha. I am sure you can find a solution with this guide, just like many friends have found. 

8. Expecting the Mala to Turn On and Off

Some people say, “ Jhivansh Ji, I only wear the mala for pooja time, then remove it. I feel awkward. Should I remove rudraksha while sleeping, or to avoid curious looks at work?”. 

I question, “Why? Would you blow out a lamp in a dark cave? No, right? Then, why would you switch off the power of the rudraksha when you need it the most?” In darkness, you need more light – not less of it. 

Rudraksha is just as a light – a guide that shows us where to move and where the obstacles are. True spiritual tools are timeless in energy flow. They don’t need any break. You do.

If you cannot sleep at night or feel confident enough to wear it at work, you should reconsider it. Read the guide to know rudraksha 24×7 use.  

My own experience says, “sometimes, the outer chaos mirrors an inner struggle that we haven’t yet fully seen.” And rudraksha shows that to us. 

9. Wearing Without Sankalp (Spiritual Intention)

Every wearer should use the rudraksha mala with a rudraksha mala intention: “Would you ever drive a car without knowing your destination?” Then why wear a rudraksha without telling yourself and asking yourself why you are wearing it? 

As per Vedic tradition, no pooja or spiritual tool is complete without sankalp.  Sankalp before wearing mala is necessary. 

Before every use, I whisper into mine – 

“Guide me Lord Shiva, help me to stay calm, keep me grounded.” 

I believe “when you give the mala your sankalp, it listens. It responds. That’s when it becomes your guide.” 

However, rudraksha can be worn for different purposes. You should tell it what you want – peace, healing, devotion, or stability. If you don’t know how to choose the right rudraksha and which one will be the right one for your case, read the guide. 

10. Expecting Magic Without Discipline

Let me be honest. Is rudraksha magical? No, this is a divine tool, a blessing from Lord Shiva. I felt that “though it won’t fix your life overnight, but it will awaken the part of you that you can fix, heal by yourself”

If you expect rudraksha to clean your karma, align all your chakras, attract wealth, remove stress, and make you a saint within a few days — all while just scrolling your phone in hand, you are missing the point. It is not possible. 

“The bead does not move your destiny. It awakens the mover within you.”  – Jivansh 

Rudraksha mala is not a shortcut to achieving your goals. If you expect it to fix every wrong thing in your life, even after you stay undisciplined, it will reflect how you are moving. 

Some people shared their experiences that “rudraksha doesn’t work for me, Jhivansh Ji”. Why? There could be many things possible in such a case. 

Probably, you don’t know the effects of wearing rudraksha mala, or you are making any of those mistakes, or a worst-case scenario, you are wearing a bhadraksha. So, I suggest you to learn how to identify the real rudraksha. 

Popular FAQs

Rudraksha Mala Doesn’t Cause Problems — It Reveals Them

So, there are no real side effects of the rudraksha mala side effects. Rudraksha mala doesn’t cause problems. It simply reveals what is hidden within you.

And that’s not a curse, not a problem. It’s Lord Shiva clearing your inner conflicts.

I’ve found many broken in tears, seeking the rudraksha spiritual transformation. I have even seen the same people laughing and happy after wearing the mala. 

Maybe you think it is hard to believe, but I have been in the same scenario repeatedly, where I went silent for days from energization. So, the rudraksha mala experiences are real. 

So, if the mala is shattering you and bounding it again, don’t leave it. Hold the path of Lord Shiva.  Accept the feelings. Let it speak. Let rudraksha show you what you are ready to face. What is right for you? 

Let the rudraksah guide you through the right path and bring your truth to light. It doesn’t cause problems. 

So, continue your journey with rudraksha as there are no side effects of wearing rudraksha mala. Remember, it will never hurt you; rather, it heals you when needed. 

That’s why I believe “The discomfort is not a curse. It is Shiva clearing your path.” — If the rudraksha mala makes you emotional, dizzy, or restless, it means it’s working. 

Remember, Lord Shiva is guiding you, and there is a relation between Lord Shiva and rudraksha. 

Let’s rudraksha show you that you have to face and accept what is best for you.