When 'the Tapasvi' gave to the woman four Rudrakshas and asked her to tie them on the body of her dead husband, the woman asked him what purpose it would serve. 'The Tapasvi' who was Guru Nath only in reality but was an assumed form of the former, told her briefly the Rudraksha Mahima and also the Rudrabhisheka Mahima as under.

Wearing of Rudraksha and applying Vibhuti (Bhasma) on the forehead confer great sanctity to the wearer. They are most purifying and will ward off all evil. None can harm the wearer and even the Lord of Death would keep away from him. They confer happiness in this life and ensure happiness in the life beyond. The Tapasvi gave the following story to illustrate the power of the Rudraksha.

There lived in Kashmir once upon a time, a king named Chandrasena. He had a son named Sudharma. His minister-in-chief also had a son, named Taraka. Sudharma and Taraka were of nearly the same age, and they grew up in closet friendship. Each loved the other very much, and they used to be always together. They were both highly devoted to Lord Shankara. Instead of wearing princely jewellery and ornaments, they used to wear Rudraksha Malas and also used to apply prominent Vibhuti marks on their forehead, as both Rudrakshas and Vibhuti are believed to be very dear to Lord Shankara. Their parents however were not happy about the ascetic tendency of their sons from such a tender age.

Once Parasara Rishi came to the court of Bhadrasena. The king received him with great honour and veneration. The king told him of his worry about his son, who was taking to ascetic way of life even at such an early age. He further said that he was equally worried about his minister's son too. Prasara Rishi told the king that he should not feel worried at all, but instead rejoice at the devotional temperament and conduct of the prince and his friend. He said that it was because of the great merit they had earned in their previous lives that they were born in this life with such devotional temperment, especially with fascination and attachment to the holy Rudrakshas. Prasara Rishi told the king about the previous lives of the prince and the minister's son.

In bygone times, there lived a courtesan who was very beautiful. She was very intelligent, shrewd and artful. and was very good in singing and dancing. She used to attract many people.

The courtesan had a Natya Mandap (dance hall). She had two pets, one a monkey and the other a cock. She taught them also dance. She used to deck both of them with Rudraksha Malas. One day a rich merchant came, to be entertained by her. He had an ornament in the form of Shivalinga, made of precious stones, which he was wearing on his neck. He was wearing Rudraksha Malas, and was having Bhasma Tripundra marks on his forehead. Looking at all these signs of piety, the woman felt a liking and attraction for him. She particularly felt a strong fascination for his Shivalinga ornament made of precious stones. She told him, if he gifted that ornament to her, she would live with him for three days as his mate. He wanted from her an oath of assurance that she would keep the bargain faithfully. She agreed and after taking oath by placing her hand on the Shivalinga, the merchant gifted her the precious ornament and she started to live with him. The first night went of happily and well for both of them. On the second night unfortunately, when they were asleep, the Natya Mandap caught fire and the fire started spreading to where the Shivalinga ornament was kept and it was also about to be caught in the flames. The merchant tried to retrieve the ornament form the spreading fire, but he too was caught in the flames and was burnt to death. The courtesan woman was aghast at this sudden tragedy. As she promised him that she would be his woman for three days, and as he died during this period, she resolved to take Sahagamana with him, like a faithful wife. Meanwhile all neighbours gathered around, and seeing her preparing herself for the Sahagamana along with her merchant customer, they tried to stop her, telling her that she was not a wedded wife to him and she should not take such an extreme step. But they could not prevail upon her and she jumped into the fire. But Lo! instantly Lord Shankara appeared there, caught hold of her hand and pulled her out of the fire. Lord Shankara said that he was very much pleased with her and though a courtesan she was, yet she kept up so steadfastly and unswervingly to the vow of truth and was determined to sacrifice her life for the pledged word. He said that he only wanted to test her and created the fire artificially. As he was pleased with her for her devotion to truth, he would grant her any boon she would ask of Him.

She said to Lord Shiva that she had no desire at all, except that she, along with her relations, friends and servants, should be blessed with Kailasha Pada. Thus she attained Kailash with all her people and won liberation for herself and all of them too.

Parasara Rishi further told the king, that when the fire burnt the Natya Mandap, the courtesan's pets, the Markat (the monkey) and the Kukkut (the cock) also died in the fire. But as they had the Rudraksha Malas around their necks and especially at the moment of death, it won for them great merit. The Markat was born as the King's son and the Kukkut was born as the minister's son. Such was the power of Rudraksha, said Prasara Rishi to the King.

Thus ends the Thirty Third chapter of Shri Guru Charitra, describing 'Rudraksha Mahima'.