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Is a Japa Mala or Prayer Beads just a mantra counting system, or does it have a bigger significance? Does the material matter (for example, sandalwood beads, rudraksha beads, Tulsi beads, quartz crystal beads etc.)? Are there any benefits to using a japa mala or beads over just using fingers to count?

If the beads matter, what are the rules to use and maintain them?

curiousseeker
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1 Answers1

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Does the material matter (for example, sandalwood beads, rudraksha beads, Tulsi beads, quartz crystal beads etc.)?

Yes, different malas are prescribed to be used for different deities. This is the topic of the 13th Patala of Sri Matrika Bheda Tantram where Mother Goddess asks Lord Shiva about the various types of beads Japamalas are made of.

Lord Shiva replies:


Vaishnave tulasi mAlA gajadantair-ganeshware |
kAlikAyA mahamantram japed-rudrAkshamAlAyA ||
tArAyAshcha japen-mantri mahA-shankhAkhya-mAlAyA |

In Japa of Vishnu (mantra), Tulasi beads mala (to be used), in Ganesha Japa beads made of elephant's tusk. Mahamantra of Kalika Japa must be done using mala of Rudraksha beads. The wise mantra-knower must to do Tara mantra Japa using Mahashankha mala.

Chapter 13; verses 2,3,4.

Similarly,

Tathaiva sakalA vidyA mahAshankhe vaset sadA || (4)

For Japa of all Mahavidyas, Mahashankha mala is apt.

Further,

Spathiki sarva-devasya pravAlaih sakalAm japet |
swarna-raupya-samudbhutAm sarva-deveshu yojitAm || (5)

Spathika mala is prescribed in Japa for all deities; the same holds true for Coral beads mala. Malas made of gold and silver beads are also prescribed to be used for all deities.

And, we also have:

KAlikAyAshcha sundaryA rudrAkshaih prajapet sadA |
bhairavyAh prajapenmantram shankha-padmAkhyayoh priye || (6)

Japa of Kalika and Tripura Sundari must be done using Rudraksha malas. For Goddess Bhairavi, use malas made of Shankha and lotus seeds.

(A partial answer for the time being. I may update it with more info about the other queries)

Rickross
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    Very useful and perfect response. I look forward to receiving the rest of the information from you. – curiousseeker Jun 29 '21 at 22:21
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    Brilliant Answer! – Rāmachandra Aug 22 '23 at 17:20
  • Thanks Ramachandra @Rāmachandra – Rickross Aug 23 '23 at 04:02
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    This is fascinating, thank you, and makes me wonder why I haven't seen more Shankha malas recommended (or advertised for sale) as, if I'm understanding correctly, they seem to be noted here as appropriate for many uses. – velw Jan 09 '24 at 12:42
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    Thanks for your comment @velw but the Mahashankha mala mentioned in Tantras doesn't refer to any ordinary mala that can be sold openly .. It is actually a secret mala used by Tantric sadhakas and is probably made of skulls ..in normal use mostly used are either Rudraksha or Sphatika malas. – Rickross Jan 09 '24 at 16:44
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    Aah... that would explain it! Thank you once again for everything you've shared here. – velw Jan 09 '24 at 17:08
  • @Rickross can we use same rudhaksha mala for multiple deity? – Spiritual Aspirant Mar 21 '24 at 14:41
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    Yes we can use specially for Shiva and Shakti deities .. for Vaishnava deities better to use other malas like crystal made or Tulasi beads made @SpiritualAspirant – Rickross Mar 23 '24 at 11:40
  • When a person uses same Mala for Shiv and Shakti. During switch any rituals /rules are there. Or we can do it directly? If you can good references, I can add a question, you can answer that. – Spiritual Aspirant Mar 23 '24 at 17:51
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    One can do directly without any rituals for normal daily japa .. while doing Purascharana for a particular mantra one have to keep the mala separate but for normal japa no issues @SpiritualAspirant – Rickross Mar 24 '24 at 06:25