Through steady practice and gentle letting go, the mind is held.
अभ्यासेन तु कौन्तेय वैराग्येण च गृह्यते
abhyāsena tu kaunteya vairāgyeṇa ca gṛhyate
01
Nature & Science
- Seeds, woods, crystals and gems, each with its own nature.
- We state the material of every piece: the plant species or the stone.
- Natural materials vary. No two malas are identical.
02
Tradition & Heritage
- A mala is used for japa, the repetition of a mantra or a sacred name.
- Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Sikh traditions all use prayer beads.
- A larger bead, the guru or sumeru bead, marks the start of the round. It is traditionally not crossed.
03
Belief & Divinity Tradition & belief
- Different materials are linked with different deities and paths.
- Tulsi with Viṣṇu, rudraksha with Śiva, lotus seed with Lakṣmī.
- These are traditions of faith, honoured as such.
04
Mind & Psychology
- Counting beads gives the hands a rhythm and the attention an anchor.
- A physical object can make a daily practice easier to return to.
05
Everyday Living
- 108 beads for a full round of daily japa.
- 54 or 27 beads for shorter rounds, or for travel.
- A matching bracelet carries the reminder through the day.
Choosing a size
| 108 + 1 | The traditional full round. 108 is significant across Hindu, Buddhist and Jain traditions, with many explanations and no single origin. |
|---|---|
| 54 + 1 | Half a round. Two rounds make 108. |
| 27 + 1 | A quarter round. Four rounds make 108. Often worn on the wrist. |
| Bracelet | A matching wrist mala. The bead count depends on bead size and wrist size. |
The extra bead in each count is the guru, or sumeru, bead.
The varieties, honestly
Tulsi mala
Beads turned from the woody stems of tulsi, holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum).
Tradition Tulsi is sacred to Viṣṇu and Kṛṣṇa. Tulsi malas are widely worn in Vaiṣṇava traditions.
What we disclose. Hand-turned beads; small variations in shape and colour are natural.
Sandalwood mala
Beads of sandalwood, prized for its fragrance.
Tradition Sandalwood, chandan, is used in worship across Indian traditions.
What we disclose. Genuine Indian sandalwood (Santalum album) is scarce and regulated. Many beads sold as sandalwood are other woods with added fragrance. We state the wood species for your piece.
Spaṭika (crystal quartz) mala
Beads of clear quartz, a natural crystal.
Tradition Spaṭika malas are traditionally used for japa and associated with Śiva and Sarasvatī.
What we disclose. Glass is often sold as spaṭika. Natural quartz feels cool and usually shows tiny inclusions. We confirm natural quartz for your piece.
Lotus seed mala
Seeds of the lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), known as kamal gaṭṭā.
Tradition The lotus is associated with Lakṣmī, and lotus seed malas are traditionally used in her worship.
What we disclose. Natural seeds vary in size and shade.
Bodhi seed mala
Hard seeds polished into beads. The name recalls the tree under which the Buddha attained awakening.
Tradition Bodhi seed malas are widely used in Buddhist practice.
What we disclose. Beads sold as “bodhi seed” come from several different plants. We name the plant for your piece.
Vaijayantī mala
Natural seeds, usually of Job’s tears (Coix lacryma-jobi), with a soft pearly sheen.
Tradition The vaijayantī garland is associated with Viṣṇu and Kṛṣṇa.
What we disclose. Natural seeds vary in shape and colour.
Rose quartz mala
Beads of rose quartz, the pink variety of quartz.
Tradition Chosen by many for meditation for its gentle colour. It has no single traditional association.
What we disclose. Gemstone beads are often dyed, treated or imitated with glass. We state whether your beads are natural, treated or reconstituted.
Amethyst mala
Beads of amethyst, the purple variety of quartz.
Tradition Valued as a gemstone in many cultures and used for meditation malas.
What we disclose. Gemstone beads are often dyed, treated or imitated with glass. We state whether your beads are natural, treated or reconstituted.
Tiger’s eye mala
Beads of tiger’s eye, a golden-brown quartz with a silky, shifting sheen.
Tradition Popular for meditation malas for its warm colour.
What we disclose. Gemstone beads are often dyed, treated or imitated with glass. We state whether your beads are natural, treated or reconstituted.
Navaratna mala
Nine gemstones together: ruby, pearl, red coral, emerald, yellow sapphire, diamond, blue sapphire, hessonite and cat’s eye.
Tradition In Jyotiṣa, Indian astrology, the nine stones correspond to the nine planetary deities, the Navagraha. This is a matter of belief.
What we disclose. Malas often use substitute or simulated stones for some of the nine. We list exactly which stones your piece contains.
Pearl mala
Pearls strung as a mala.
Tradition Pearl, motī, is one of the nine traditional gems.
What we disclose. Most pearls today are cultured, and some “pearls” are imitation. We state natural, cultured or imitation for your piece.
Mixed gemstone mala
Several gemstones combined in one mala.
Tradition A personal choice of colours and stones.
What we disclose. We list every stone in your piece and whether it is natural or treated.
Rudraksha mala
Seeds of Elaeocarpus trees. See its own story.
Karungali mala
Dark heartwood beads. See its own story.