SYDA Muktananda Rudraksha Mala & reliquary w/ Baba's hair 2 letters, cassette +

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SYDA Muktananda Rudraksha Mala & reliquary w/ Baba's hair 2 letters, cassette +:
$6295.00

5 Siddha Yoga Items:

SYDA Muktananda Blessed Rudraksha Mala necklace (108 beads +1) with attached reliquary containing Baba's hair
an 8" x 10" 1970's photo of Baba with his translator at the time, Swami Yogananda (previously Professor Jain) and Malti in the blue hat (now Gurumayi) as well as myself in the back against the wall
a 1979 Muktananda Talks cassette tape
Signed letter from Swami Yogananda (translator prior to Malti)
Signed letter from Malti (now Gurumayi)

DESCRIPTION: I am relistingthe rudraksha mala along with other mementos of historical interest.ADDITIONS TO ORIGINAL LISTING:

Photo of Baba, Swami Muktananda, with his translator in the 1970's, Swami Yogananda (in orange next to Baba - formerly known as Professor Jain); Malti (now Gurumayi) before she was Baba's fulltime translator (in blue hat with eyeglasses in front of Baba) and me in the back of the room against the wall (brown hair and shirt with white collar & cuffs). This is a one-of-a-kind photo 8" x 10" without a copyright mark on the back.
1975 signed letter response addressed to my then married name. I had sent Baba a letter and Swami Yogananda spoke to Baba & responded back to me. Please note the 10 cent stamp. (Forever stamps are now .78.)
1980 signed letter response from Malti (now Gurumayi) in response to the letter I wrote Baba regarding the death of my mother. Please note the 15 cent stamp. (Forever stamps are now .78.)
Cassette Tape - Muktananda Talks - The Elixir of Love, Taped in New York City on June 17, 1979. This tape is Baba Muktananda giving a talk with Malti (now Gurumayi) translating. The tape plays, but ends abruptly and as with cassette tapes, it needs respooling every so often. I looked into transferring it onto the cloud and/or a thumb drive and that would cost approximately $90. I believe this tape was made by a friend of mine whose seva was in in the production dept. It is not an SYDA production of this talk.

ORIGINAL LISTING: At the time I bought this rudraksha mala necklace, I was living in the Ganeshpuri ashram (1981). My memory is that an ashramite had high quality small rudraksha beads, access to Baba's hair clippings (through Noni, Baba's personal assistant - or maybe through George...whose function I was never quite certain of) as well as gold wire, gold caps, gold hook and gold reliquary. I remember that I could afford a gold-capped mala in India, but not in the U.S. I just searched online (I was curious) and in 1981 gold cost $460 an ounce. In 2025, it costs over $3700 an ounce. I am not an expert in jewelry and when I bought the mala I took it on faith that the caps, wire etc were gold and that Baba's hair is in the reliquary. I had no reason to doubt otherwise then or now.Currently on the SYDA website,gold cappednecklace malas are selling for $5295. I have priced mine higher because it is somewhat rare due to the gold bullet-shaped reliquary with Baba's hair inside. PLEASE NOTE: PRICE REDUCED January 2026. It seems unlikely that there are a lot of malas such as this one that old devotees are willing to part with. Initially, when I listed the mala, I had a memory of Baba blessing this mala by batting it with his peacock feather wand. I cannot be sure this is an accurate memory because I remember vividly having him bless padukas in this fashion. Either way, I have always felt they were blessed because of the reliquary with his hair in it.
Please Note:I am selling my treasures because once I'm gone (not soon I hope) I envision my adult sons renting a dumpster and giving my belongings the old heave-ho. I'd rather avoid the ecological disadvantages to that. Moreover, I believe there are devotees who will value these items.My sales go directly into our retirement FUN account which pays primarily for for travel.
About me:I met Baba in New York City in the 1970's. At that time, Swami Yogananda, was Baba's translator. I have been to Ganeshpuri twice; in 1981 I lived at the ashram for 6 months and I went for a short visit after Baba's samadhi. I have been to the South Fallsburg ashram several times, once taking off my college summer semester so I could be with Baba.
MEASUREMENTS (approximate): I believe the 108 beads are 8mm rudraksha beads, but am unsure how to check that. The One extra bead is slightly larger. The necklace doubled, measures 27" approx. There is a hook that keeps the 2 loops together when doubled around your neck. It too is gold.
Please refer to thephotographs as they form part of the description and condition. Also thecolor of the photographs may varyslightly from the item.