Prayer Beads
qualities.
Yogic traditions maintain that mantras have special powers which transform consciousness, help fulfil desires and promote healings. Chanting is practiced in practically all cultural and religious traditions and is a spiritual tool.
Malas and its uses
A mala means a garland, and comprises of a set of beads used by Hindus and Buddhists. They usually constitute 08 beads; but there are also wrist malas and malas with beads of any number divisible by 9. These malas are used to help you keep count while you recite, chant or mentally repeat mantras or a particular deity's name. This is a practice known as japa in Sanskrit. Japa malas are used for repetitions of mantras, other sadhanas or spiritual exercises and in meditation. When you start chanting, it has to start with a bead next to the sumeru. In case you need to do more than one repetition of the mala, Vedic traditions state that you need to change directions on reaching the sumeru, and not cross it. In other words, the sumeru is the mala's static point. These malas are made of prayer beads made from various materials. The most common ones used are Rudraksha seeds (used by Shaivites) which are seeds of the Rudraksha tree and Tulsi stem (used by Vaishnavites) which are made from the wood of the Tulsi plant. While ther are 108 mala beads in the prayer mala, there is also an additional 109th bead called the sumeru, stupa, bindu or guru bead.There are other materials used for making mala beads like animal bone, wood, seeds from the Lotus plant, seeds from the Bodhi tree, semi precious stones like Carnelian and amethyst and the most common and least expensive, sandalwood. Here are some examples:The Lotus Seed Mala is used for Goddess Lakshmi Japas and sadhana wherein the Goddess is easily appeased if you wear this rosary while chanting her mantra and thus bestows you with wealth and comforts.Turmeric malas are used while performing Anusthan or special prayers to destroyenemies and win at law suits. Jaundice can also be cured wearing this mala, which also helps rid you of anxiety, depression and tensions.Sandalwood mala comes in two types; red and white. While the white sandalwood mala is used for peace and empowering rituals worshiping Ram and Vishnu, the red sandalwood mala is used for worshiping Lord Ganesh and Goddesses.Sphatik mala is made from Spatik or crystal, and is the best mala to use while chanting Devi Mantras. When worn your mind gets pacified and quiet, and you are a favourite of Lord Shiva.
So these are some of the many uses
Yogic traditions maintain that mantras have special powers which transform consciousness, help fulfil desires and promote healings. Chanting is practiced in practically all cultural and religious traditions and is a spiritual tool.
Malas and its uses
A mala means a garland, and comprises of a set of beads used by Hindus and Buddhists. They usually constitute 08 beads; but there are also wrist malas and malas with beads of any number divisible by 9. These malas are used to help you keep count while you recite, chant or mentally repeat mantras or a particular deity's name. This is a practice known as japa in Sanskrit. Japa malas are used for repetitions of mantras, other sadhanas or spiritual exercises and in meditation. When you start chanting, it has to start with a bead next to the sumeru. In case you need to do more than one repetition of the mala, Vedic traditions state that you need to change directions on reaching the sumeru, and not cross it. In other words, the sumeru is the mala's static point. These malas are made of prayer beads made from various materials. The most common ones used are Rudraksha seeds (used by Shaivites) which are seeds of the Rudraksha tree and Tulsi stem (used by Vaishnavites) which are made from the wood of the Tulsi plant. While ther are 108 mala beads in the prayer mala, there is also an additional 109th bead called the sumeru, stupa, bindu or guru bead.There are other materials used for making mala beads like animal bone, wood, seeds from the Lotus plant, seeds from the Bodhi tree, semi precious stones like Carnelian and amethyst and the most common and least expensive, sandalwood. Here are some examples:The Lotus Seed Mala is used for Goddess Lakshmi Japas and sadhana wherein the Goddess is easily appeased if you wear this rosary while chanting her mantra and thus bestows you with wealth and comforts.Turmeric malas are used while performing Anusthan or special prayers to destroyenemies and win at law suits. Jaundice can also be cured wearing this mala, which also helps rid you of anxiety, depression and tensions.Sandalwood mala comes in two types; red and white. While the white sandalwood mala is used for peace and empowering rituals worshiping Ram and Vishnu, the red sandalwood mala is used for worshiping Lord Ganesh and Goddesses.Sphatik mala is made from Spatik or crystal, and is the best mala to use while chanting Devi Mantras. When worn your mind gets pacified and quiet, and you are a favourite of Lord Shiva.
So these are some of the many uses
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