The Damaru: A New Discovery in My Sound Healing Journey

Since starting my sound healing journey, I’ve been fascinated by all of the different instruments used in healing. Crystal bowls, metal alloy bowls, tingshas, ocean drums—the list goes on and on! I recently came across a new instrument that was both eye- and ear-catching. That instrument is named a Damaru.

Before coming to Sarina’s, I had never seen such a unique instrument. It has a look similar to an hourglass, with 1 hand-hammered brass alloy Tibetan bowl on either end of a wooden handle. The tones of these bowls are in harmonic resonance with each other. When both bowls are struck together in sequence, they emit a beautiful harmonic resonance accompanied by mysteriously rich overtones. As the bowls ring on either end of the handle, the sound healer can move them around the client, creating a more immersive soundscape that adapts to each person’s unique aura.

The origins of the Damaru go back to the beginning of time, representing the primordial sound of the universe. The traditional Damaru is held by Shiva, the Supreme God, in his right hand. Traditionally, damarus have opposite-facing drums with strings and beads attached to each end. Grabbing the middle and rapidly twisting the wrist is all that’s needed to produce this sacred sound.

Ruby saw the traditional design and put her own twist on it, creating the double sound bowl damaru. Ruby and Suren worked together to bring this intriguing concept to life, replacing the traditional drum heads with resonant singing bowls. The result is a beautifully unique instrument that blends ancient symbolism with a modern approach to sound healing.