OM Yoga Magazine – April 2019

beads: over time, it absorbs the energy of our

focus and attention, a beautiful reminder of

our devotions.

Written by Sonal Thakrar (kleem.co.uk)

om spirit

A

‘Mala’ means ‘garland’

in Sanskrit (the ancient

language of India), a set of

beads traditionally used

by Buddhists, Hindus and

ancient yogis for thousands of years during

meditation. Mala beads are used to keep

count whilst chanting or mentally repeating

a mantra. The use of these beads is called

‘Japa’ in Sanskrit, which means ‘to recite’,

creating awareness, bliss and peace.

Strung with 108 beads plus one extra bead

known as the ‘Guru Bead’, a Mala is built in

an intentional way, with each part having its

own spiritual and signiicant representation.

Typically made from sacred woods and

gemstones, a Mala is also often worn as a

piece of jewellery when in fact it ofers a

much deeper meaning; a wearable relection

of something of our own journey, infused with

our prayers, intentions, hopes and dreams

with each recitation.

Understanding the role that each part

of the Mala plays can add meaning to our

personal meditation practice.

Why 108 beads?

In yogic traditions, there are 108 Upanishads

(the sacred texts) and 108 Marma points

(sacred energy lines in the body according to

ayurveda). Mathematicians of Vedic culture

view 108 as the wholeness of existence,

representing the universe. 108 connects the

Sun, Moon, and Earth: the average distance

of Sun and the Moon to Earth is 108 times

their respective diameters. These beads are

arranged on a never-ending circle, creating a

circuit of positive energy driving life forward.

he Guru Bead

‘Guru’ means ‘teacher’ in Sanskrit. This 109th

bead is connected to the Tassel signalling

the end of one full Japa meditation cycle;

believed to represent state of consciousness,

the central goal of meditation practice.

Through this awareness, we are led to

ind our ultimate teacher and climb that

intimidating peak of awareness one step, one

bead, at a time. It is also known to represent

the summer and winter solstices – using

and wearing a Mala is a symbolic way of

connecting ourselves to the elements and

natural cycles of the universe.

he Knots

A Mala is typically strung with cotton or silk

thread for strength and support. The thread is

then knotted to maintain a consistent space

between each bead. The knot represents the

Divine link between all beings, reminding us

that all aspects of life are connected and

supported in the universal sutra of life.

he Tassel

The Tassel is the cluster of strings, each

strand an extension of the string that binds

the Mala together. The strands continually

move and low, reminding us that we are not

separate but connected to the Divine and to

each other – oneness and unity, travelling

together on this journey called life. The

Tassel also symbolises the thousand petals of

Sahasrara, the Crown Chakra, transcending

the energy created from meditation.

A Mala is much more than a collection of

Exploring the true meaning

of yoga’s gits to the West.

By Sonal hakrar

“Prayer is the key of the

morning and the bolt of

the evening”

Mahatma Gandhi

The Bead

The Tassel

The Knot

The Guru Bead 