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Rudraksha: mukhi and planet

A rudraksha's mukhis are the natural lines running top to bottom on its surface, and tradition links each mukhi count to a planet and deity. This guide covers each mukhi's planet, how it's worn, checking it's genuine with an X-ray certificate, what to ask the seller, and typical market prices.

Tradition links rudrakshas with different mukhis to different planets. Guide §7b.6

The rudraksha of the planet's mukhi (e.g. 7-mukhi for Saturn), with a genuineness check.

Sun
Sun

One-mukhi rudraksha

Tradition links the one-mukhi rudraksha with the Sun. Wear it on a red thread after one mala of 'om namaḥ śivāya'.

When: Sunday or Monday

Tradition
Do / don't

Don't

  • A round one-mukhi is very rare and fakes are common; in this price range you will usually find the half-moon (kaju) shape. Don't buy without checking.
Moon
Moon

Two-mukhi rudraksha

Tradition links the two-mukhi rudraksha with the Moon. Wear it on a white or red thread after one mala of 'om namaḥ śivāya'.

When: Monday

Tradition
Do / don't

Don't

  • Don't buy an expensive bead without checking (X-ray or lab report).
Mars
Mars

Three-mukhi rudraksha

Tradition links the three-mukhi rudraksha with Mars. Wear it on a red thread after one mala of 'om namaḥ śivāya'.

When: Tuesday or Monday

Tradition
Do / don't

Don't

  • Don't buy an expensive bead without checking (X-ray or lab report).
Mercury
Mercury

Four-mukhi rudraksha

Tradition links the four-mukhi rudraksha with Mercury. Wear it on a red or green thread at the neck or wrist.

When: Wednesday

Tradition
Do / don't

Do

  • Buy one with an X-ray or lab report; the mukhi lines should run clearly top to bottom

Don't

  • Avoid glued or carved fakes; don't trust very cheap offers or big claims
Jupiter
Jupiter

Five-mukhi rudraksha

Tradition links the five-mukhi rudraksha with Jupiter. Wear it on a yellow or red thread at the neck or wrist. It is the most common rudraksha, so the price should be modest.

When: Thursday

Tradition
Do / don't

Do

  • Buy one with an X-ray or lab report; the mukhi lines should run clearly top to bottom

Don't

  • Don't overpay for a five-mukhi; avoid glued or carved fakes
Venus
Venus

Six-mukhi rudraksha

Tradition links the six-mukhi rudraksha with Venus. Wear it on a white or red thread at the neck or wrist.

When: Friday

Tradition
Do / don't

Do

  • Buy one with an X-ray or lab report; the mukhi lines should run clearly top to bottom

Don't

  • Avoid glued or carved fakes; don't trust very cheap offers or big claims
Saturn
Saturn

Seven-mukhi rudraksha

Tradition links the seven-mukhi rudraksha with Saturn. Worn on a red or black thread at the neck or wrist.

When: Saturday or Monday

Tradition
Do / don't

Do

  • Count the faces and check the 'genuine' box before buying

Don't

  • Avoid beads sold very cheap or as 'miraculous'
Rahu
Rahu

Eight-mukhi rudraksha

Tradition links the eight-mukhi rudraksha with Rahu. Worn on a red or black thread at the neck or wrist.

When: Saturday or Monday

Tradition
Do / don't

Do

  • Count the faces and check the 'genuine' box before buying

Don't

  • Avoid beads sold very cheap or as 'miraculous'
Ketu
Ketu

Nine-mukhi rudraksha

Tradition links the nine-mukhi rudraksha with Ketu. Worn on a red or black thread at the neck or wrist.

When: Tuesday or Monday

Tradition
Do / don't

Do

  • Count the faces and check the 'genuine' box before buying

Don't

  • Avoid beads sold very cheap or as 'miraculous'

How to check a rudraksha is genuine

  • Counting mukhis: the mukhis are the natural lines running from the top (the hole end) to the bottom. Each should run the full length; a line that stops midway or looks cut is not a mukhi.
  • Lines should look natural: soft edges and even depth. Very sharp, freshly cut or uneven grooves are often carved later.
  • Gluing two halves or two beads together (especially gauri-shankar and higher mukhis) is a common fake. Look for a fine joint line or glue marks.
  • Fakes moulded from wood, plastic or resin exist: identical beads, very light weight or cast-looking bumps are warning signs.
  • The water-floating test is unreliable: a real bead can float (if dry or hollow) and a fake can sink (if heavy or filled). The 'spins between copper coins' test is unreliable too.
  • For higher mukhis or costly beads, X-ray / lab certificates exist: the X-ray should show as many inner compartments (seeds) as there are mukhis. The certificate should carry a number and a photo of the bead, verifiable with the lab.
  • Both Nepal (larger) and Indonesian (smaller) beads are genuine rudraksha; just have the origin written on the bill, as prices differ a lot.

Pause and think if you see these

  • 1-, 8- and 9-mukhi are costly and the most often faked. A round 1-mukhi is described as very rare; most 1-mukhi on sale is the half-moon (cashew) shape, which should be stated plainly.
  • A 'rare' mukhi at a very low price, or 'abhimantrit' without proof.

If someone sells through fear, 'buy today' or hurry, stop. A genuine purchase can wait and comes with a bill.

Get a proper bill for every purchase: the seller's name, address, GST number (if any), a full description, weight, price and the return policy.

Accept claims like 'abhimantrit', 'siddh' or 'pran-pratishthit' only if the seller states in writing who did it, when and how, and can show a video or photo. Such a claim should not be a reason to pay more.

₹75–₹500 Typical market price · 5-mukhi (one bead)

Prices below are typical market ranges; they vary by city and quality.

We do not sell this; the information is here to help you recognise a fair price.

Lab names are only examples. Choose the shop that suits you, and take the checks above with you.