Malas

Strands of prayer beads — rudraksha, tulsi, sandalwood, sphatik and silver — strung for mantra counting and daily wear. A mala (Sanskrit for 'garland') is a string of beads, traditionally 108 plus one Meru or guru bead that is never counted, used across Hindu, Buddhist and yogic traditions to keep count of mantra repetitions (japa) without dividing attention. The count of 108 recurs through Vedic numerology, the 108 Upanishads and the 108 marma points of yogic anatomy. Many practitioners find that the repeated motion of a mala steadies attention during chanting or quiet reflection, letting the mind rest on the mantra rather than the count.