Rudraksha Bead Mala
Rudraksha Bead Mala
Rudraksha beads have been worn by the yogis and saints of India since the 11th Century. The term Rudraksha literally means "The third eye of Shiva". Rudrakshas, often called "miracle beads" are highly revered in India as one of the holiest of all items with numerous mystical powers. Yogis and Monks found that merely wearing the beads gave them tremendous tranquillity and the ability to concentrate enabling them to meditate for long periods of time with control over their minds.
Rudrakshas are also said to maintain health, ensure protection, help the user gain self-empowerment, fulfil desires and wishes and achieve ambitions and objectives.
The word 'Mala' means 'Garland'. Mala beads can be made from wooden beads, seeds, semi-precious or precious stones or gems. A full size Mala consists of 108 beads. The number 108 is a sacred, auspicious number in many cultures but particularly in the Hindu tradition. The number comes from multiplying the 12 astrological houses by the 9 planets. Each Mala also has a Guru bead, or tassel to remind us of the teachers in our lives.
Traditionally, the mala is held between the thumb and middle finger and as each bead is passed through the finger and thumb, a mantra or god is said either silently, quietly or out loud. The most powerful mantras are said to be those repeated silently in the mind. This is done until the Guru bead is reached, the Mala is reversed and the process goes on until the Guru bead is reached again. Repeating a mantra in this way is an excellent way of calming the mind and keeping thought of 'The Divine' (whatever that is for each one of us, whatever culture, religion or belief we hold) in our every day lives.
To empower the mala, and the mantra used in association with this mala, japa (mantra meditation) should be practiced once each day for 40 consecutive days. When the mala becomes empowered, it can then be worn to transmit the energy of the mantra and the energetic qualities of the mala to the wearer. If you use a different mantra, the energy of the previous mantra becomes replaced by the new one. For this reason, many people have different malas for different mantras.
When not in use, your mala should be stored in a special, clean and preferably sacred space, for example on a personal altar or on a statue of a deity.