A rudraksha mala is commonly made by using five mukhi rudraksha beads, which are available easily in different sizes. Usually 7 to 10 mm sizes can be handled with your fingers. A necklace for chanting mantras, known as japa mala, 108+1=109 beads, although 54+1 and 27+1 beads can also be used. The additional bead in the continuous mala is known as meru mani (or meru bead) and it functions like a stopper while counting the mantras.
Ritualistic Use of Rudraksha Mala
As the mantra chanted, each bead in the necklace is rotated with the middle finger and thumb. As soon as the meru is reached, the mala is turned back without crossing the meru.
Chanting mantras on a mala is called japa Yoga and as Lord Krishna has enunciated it in the Bhagwad Gita, it is the best form of yogic practice. Japa can be done using any mantra on the rudraksha mala.
For general information, different types of malas are used to propitiate Dasha Mahavidyas (ten forms of Shakti):
Kali : Dantmala (of teeth)
Tara : Asthimala (of bones)
Chhinamastika : Nar-asthimala (of human bones)
Tripura : Raktachandan (of red sandalwood)
Bhairavi : Swayambhumala
Matangi : Gunjamala (of flower)
Dhumavati : Khardantmala (of donkey’s teeth)
Baglamukhi : Haridramala (of tamarind seeds)
Kamala : Kamal Mala (of lotus mala)
Bhuvaneshwari : Sphatikmala (of crystal beads)
People who follow the rituals strictly, use specific malas as mentioned below for different gods:
Vishnu : Shankhmala (of conch shell)
Sharabhsalav : Bhadraksha mala
Ganesha : Gajadanta (ivory from elephant tusk)
Govinda : Tulsimala
Surya : Pravalmala
Shiva : Rudraksha
Different type of malas are recomended in the ancient texts for different objectives as mentioned in the picture:
How to Perform Japa Using a Rudraksha Necklace
There is mention of special malas, for example, rudraksha with gold for Shiva and Vishnu (known as Hariharatmika Mala) and rudraksha and silver for Shiva and Brahma.
Certain traditions and procedures are to be followed for the ritualistic usage of rudraksha necklace during japa. These are:
- Nails should not touch the beads. Use only the forepart of your fingers. Usually, the thumb and middle fingers are used for rotation.
- Do not use your left hand for japa and do not touch the necklace with your left hand.
- Use the right number of beads.
- Do not cross the meru mani and reverse the necklace after reaching this bead.
- While doing japa, the beads of the necklace should come towards you (devotion, grace of the Lord is coming towards you).
- The index finger should point opposite you (ego going out)
- Keep the mala in a bag (known as Gomukhi) while in use or afterwards.
- The length of the mala should be up to the heart level during japa.
- The positioning of the god whom you plan to meditate on, should be at a higher than the necklace level.
- Face east while doing japa and keep your backbone straight. Sit in normal Sukhasana (sitting normally by cross-folding legs) or Padmasana which requires practice.
- Always sit in a fixed place.
- Always do japa at a fixed time.
- Always do japa by heart.
- Cover your head while doing japa.
- Focus on Ajna Chakra located between your eyebrows.
- Japa can be silent, upanshu (the sound uttered can only be heard by you) or by normal utterance. Silent japa requires better focus and concentration and is the best.
- The mantra can be given by a guru , chosen by you, or ‘Om’.
- Do not share your japa mala with anyone.
- Do not wear a japa mala.
- After completing one round on the mala, use balls made of raktachandan (red sandalwood), sindoor (vermilion), lac or cow dung to count the number of rounds of the necklace.
Best Directions to Face While Doing Japa with a Rudraksha Mala
The direction to face while doing japa depends on your objective, although facing east is recommended as the most common practice.
Other options are:
- Face west if the objective is solely for wealth.
- Face north for mental peace, protection, health and knowledge.
- Face east to attract a person within the self, for sadhana and spirituality.
- Face south for tantric practices.
How to Properly String a Rudraksha Mala: Materials, Techniques
The necklace can be made using cotton, silk, silver, copper or gold. If it is strung on a thread, it can be red or black. The rudraksha beads should be strung face to face and tail to tail. The natural shape of the rudraksha is such that, when strung face to face and tail to tail, the beads will maintain a natural distance and look balanced.
How to String Rudraksha Beads
After each bead is strung, the maker should utter “Om” to remember the Supreme Lord for ending and restarting the effort. To ensure that two beads do not touch each other, use a bigger knot (knot diameter should be twice the hole diameter), in case a thread is being used. Alternatively, use metal wire loops and caps to make the bead rigid so that it does not rotate. If the rudraksha bead rotates when using a metal wire, then the bead will get damaged due to friction between the rudraksha and metal wire.
Many successful people who have acquired global positioning among rich, successful people, are devoted rudraksha users and offer regular prayers to Goddess Lakshmi. Apart from their own hard work, genius and opportunities that came their way, these holistic approaches have also helped them.