What is a Mala?

*For tips, use and care of retail items purchased from our store, please scroll down.

Mala in Sanskrit means “garland.” Malas are ancient prayer beads. Traditionally, they are used as a counting tool for Mantra Japa Meditation, the repetition of mantra, and have been worn for thousands of years in the traditions of Buddhism and Hinduism for spiritual and healing qualities.

A fun fact. Mala beads have been around since the 8th century BCE to aid in spiritual practices. When the Roman Empire was trading with India, the word japa was misunderstood for jap, which is the Latin word for rose. When the prayer beads began to be used in Rome, they were called rosarium or what is most commonly known as the rosary. A mala can have 9, 27 or 54 beads, but are most commonly made with the standard 108 beads. The rosary consists of 54.

Why 108? The number 108 is a sacred number which holds symbology and meaning:

  • Vedic teachings state that we have 72,000 nadis, energy nerve tubes, in the subtle body, and that they all converge in two places to 108. These two locations are the Hrit Padma (sacred heart) and at the base of the spine in the Muladhara Chakra. By chanting mantras 108 times, we allow the powerful vibrations to penetrate the entire energetic system, thus, creating a ripe environment for deep transformation.

  • The sacred Ganges River in India has 108 names.

  • If we multiply the 12 zodiac signs by 9 planets, we arrive at 108.

  • The diameter of the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Earth. The distance from the Sun to the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Sun.

An additional bead is placed at the end of the mala, called the “guru” or “meru” (mountain) bead. This bead accumulates power generated from the mantras being chanted. It becomes a mountain of stored spiritual energy. It symbolizes the guru principle. To show our respect for the teacher within and the teacher without, it is advisable not to “crossover” this bead during mantra japa practices. As this spiritual energy gathers, the guru bead becomes very powerful. Placed on the forehead, at the third eye, it can transmit a healing vibration.

Types of Malas Although any type of mala or rosary can be used universally for any type of spiritual discipline, there are many to choose from. Wood Malas are available in Rudraksha Seed, Rosewood, Tulsiwood, Sandalwood, Lotus Seed, Bodhi Seed and more, and Gem Malas can be found in Amethyst, Blue Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby, Turquoise, Clear Quartz and more. Choosing which is best for you can be overwhelming! Here’s my advice…

How do I Choose a Mala? Generally speaking, choosing a mala is simple. My best advice is, use your intuition! Listen to your heart’s desire, your inner wisdom. You may be drawn to a certain type of mala because of its look, feel or symbolic meaning. Malas store and amplify energy, they act as a talisman, a sacred object.

Mala Use for Mantra Japa Meditation Here are some easy guidelines in how to use your mala for Mantra Japa Meditation:

  • Start with the first bead, next to the guru bead.

  • Chant the first mantra, holding the bead, preferably in your right hand, between the thumb and middle finger. (Some like to “drape” the mala over the middle finger. The index finger is never used for Japa Meditation as it symbolizes the ego.)

  • Move your fingers over to the next bead and chant the mantra again.

  • Continue this cycle 108 times.

  • If your practice consists of more than one full mala and you have finished the first 108 recitations coming back around to the guru bead, flip the mala around and begin counting the beads in the opposite direction. (Remember never to “crossover” the guru bead.)

  • Repeat as necessary.

Some practitioners feel it best to hold the mala above the navel center while chanting. Others enjoy holding the mala at the heart center. Experiment to see what feels right to you.

Also, there are some malas that have “counter beads” at 9 bead intervals or 27 bead intervals. These can be helpful in a couple of ways: 1) They help to know how far along you are in your practice, 2) If your practice consists of 9, 27, or 54 repetitions, it’s easy to track.

Love your Mala An important tip: Your mala is sacred. As you chant the divine names and establish a personal relationship with it, it’s important to treat it with care. Malas can be worn to keep the energy close to you or kept in a special place, like on an altar. The energy you generate with this counting tool is a reflection of your inner sanctuary that is protected, safe from harm, animals and children too! It’s also a nice idea to store your mala in a mala bag to help maintain its purity and potency.

What if my Mala breaks? Big question. If your mala breaks, it is most often a sign that karma has been released. This is a good thing, but what do you do next? Although we may not know the exact karma released, you may get a sense by reflecting on what mantra practices you have done on this mala and the timing of its breaking. If it’s a mala you hold dear and/or have worked with it for a long time, letting go can be a challenge. Here are some choices for your next step:

1. Purify - Have it restrung. If the beads of the mala still have positive energy and it feels right intuitively to keep them, it can be restrung. This can give it a fresh start. Remember to chant the seed sound of the sacred heart, Hrim, 108 times, on your newly strung mala before starting any new practice.

2. Recycle - Keep the beads. Again, if the beads still have a positive vibration, they can be reused. Some suggestions could be; placing them on your altar or having them made into spiritual jewelry.

3. Let Go - My best advice. Let go. Especially if you have worked with the mala for a long time and/or have been addressing some difficult issues. The beads hold energy, and if they seem worn, discolored or energetically dark in any way, letting them go can produce a state of freedom.

Cleansing Rituals Mala beads absorb and store energy. What happens if your mala falls on the floor, someone else touches it, or it just has that feeling that it needs to be cleansed? Here are some tips:

  • Malas can be placed in the sunlight or under the full moon to absorb the purifying energy,

  • They can be washed in warm, soapy water (eco-friendly soap please!), or in warm water with a bit of himalayan sea salt,

  • Malas made from wood can be oiled, very lightly, with coconut or sandalwood oil,

  • Tassels can be freshened up by combing the strands with a little water and trimming the ends,

  • White sage can be burned near the mala to absorb the cleansing benefit,

  • Malas can be purified and energized by placing them on the altar of a puja or yajna ceremony, blessed by the power of the ceremony and the priest/priestess,

  • And, as stated earlier, you can chant the seed sound Hrim 108 times to connect the mala to your divine essence, the sacred heart center. 

________________________________

For all Prayer Shawls purchased from our store:

  • Hand wash gently with cold water and pure soap.

  • Blot dry without twisting and hang dry.

  • If you like, warm iron with cover sheet.

  • Enjoy!