A mala used for repetition of a mantra in the Indian tradition usually comprises 108 beads plus a more prominent bead which marks the beginning and end of the repetition but is never included. Thus in total 109 beads.
In the shaivite tradition the mala is most often made using rudraksha seeds (the tears of Shiva) but other materials can be used including sandal wood, crystals etc.
Using a mantra the first bead to the left of the prominent bead - the meru - is looped over the fourth in a circle completed by using the thumb touching the fourth finger. After each repetition of the mantra the middle finger is then used to move the beads along to the next one. At the 108th bead the circle is completed although multiples of 108 can be made by reversing the beads and returning to bead 1 and reversing again etc.
In some traditions the mala is kept in a dark bag and the telling of the male is done with the hand in the bag. Malas used for japa mantra (repeating the mantra) are not worn simply as decoration. Part malas are sometimes used. A half mala has 54 beads and a quarter mala 27.
In the shaivite tradition the mala is most often made using rudraksha seeds (the tears of Shiva) but other materials can be used including sandal wood, crystals etc.
Using a mantra the first bead to the left of the prominent bead - the meru - is looped over the fourth in a circle completed by using the thumb touching the fourth finger. After each repetition of the mantra the middle finger is then used to move the beads along to the next one. At the 108th bead the circle is completed although multiples of 108 can be made by reversing the beads and returning to bead 1 and reversing again etc.
In some traditions the mala is kept in a dark bag and the telling of the male is done with the hand in the bag. Malas used for japa mantra (repeating the mantra) are not worn simply as decoration. Part malas are sometimes used. A half mala has 54 beads and a quarter mala 27.