What are Mala Beads?

Mala beads consist of 108+1 beads with a knot between the beads and is intended to serve as a reminder of your spiritual practice.

When simply meditating or chanting it can be easy for the mind to wander off. Finding the discipline to sit still, even for five minutes, can at times feel impossibly challenging. Curing fidgetiness and a busy mind are the exact reasons we love Mala beads. Authentic Mala beads allow you to continuously re-awaken and stay on course throughout the practice of meditation. 

Why 108 Beads?

The practice of making malas with 108 beads dates back to ancient Vedic culture, where practitioners believed that 108 was the number of existence.

§  108 Vedic Upanishads (sacred text §  108 marma points (sacred sites on the body) §  108 energy lines converging at the heart chakra §  108 sacred sites located throughout the country of India §  108 gopis dancing in Vrindavan with the Hindu deity Krishna §  108 = 27 constellations x 4 padas (parts) §  108 = 12 zodiac houses x 9 planets

In other words, 108 beads represent the entire universe.  When we count the mantra using the mala, we are remembering the presence of the deity who is the Universal Self in every part of the universe. So, after each cycle of repetition, we cover the entire universe by feeling and touching the presence of deity of the mantra in it.

Circular arrangement of Beads

The circular arrangement of 108 beads represents the cyclic nature of the universe, without an end or a beginning. The Universal Self is the only unchanging principle, just like a string in the mala. By contemplating the mantra of the deity continuously, we would like to access the inherent thread of the universe, the Universal Self, which is eternal and unchanging.

The Guru, 109th Bead of Mala

The Guru bead is separate from the main mala and it suggests that the Universal Self is transcendental, i.e. beyond the universe.

To show respect to the Master (Guru), Guru bead is never crossed when counting the mantras during meditation. Instead, the mala is turned around so that the next round of counting begins with the 108th bead.

Tassel

The tassel after the Guru bead indicates the fourth state called Turiya.  It is a transcendental state beyond three states, viz., waking, dream and deep sleep.

The String

The string of the mala symbolizes the Universal Self, which is the force that supports or sustains every part and every being of the universe.

Knot between the Beads

A knot is kept between the beads to ensure that the beads won’t touch each other. This is to avoid the distraction that may be caused due to frictional sound of bead during mantra meditation.  Knot signifies the divine link present between all beings of this universe. It reminds us that all of us are strung in the thread of the Universal Self.