What are 108 Beads Mala and How to Use Them
108 Beads Malas are beautiful tools to work with in meditation and prayer, and even to wear as sacred every-day adornment for deeper contemplation and focus. They’re a powerful way to channel the gemstone energy and transformative power of an ancient divinity.
Mala in Sanskrit means a garland of beads, flowers or prayers, and are necklaces traditionally made with 108 beads plus a guru bead and are also known as a rosary or prayer beads. A silk tassel anchors the mala, symbolizing the great thousand petal lotus of supreme enlightenment. These beautiful necklaces can be used in meditation to count repetitions of mantras, prayers or affirmations by rotating the beads between the thumb and fingers. Worn on the body, either inside or outside clothing, these sacred pieces will carry the positive, healing qualities of the stones into your personal energy field.
All Sivalya malas are handmade in India by traditional yoga teachers with 108 high energy crystals and gemstones, each carrying their own specific energy properties and are strung on 100% silk cord, knotted between each bead. The number 108 has long been considered a sacred number in Hinduism and Buddhism signifying the 108 earthly temptations which need to be to overcome in search of Nirvana. Malas come as a string of 108 beads, plus one guru bead, or “Sumeru” which is not to be counted or crossed over during meditation. Guru bead is of great importance to a person on their path of spiritual journey as it signifies the relationship between teacher and student.
Tassels are seen as the roots of the lotus, strongly rooted and rising up to the sunshine of enlightenment. As the individual strands of the tassel combine together to become one, this oneness represents our connection to one another. Whether you use your mala beads to count mantras while meditating, wear them to remind you of your intentions or simply for their free-spirited beauty, we hope that you cherish them for years to come.
Sivalya malas feature a sterling silver guru bed, intricately carved by hand, and with a meaningful purpose of its own. Sterling Silver is a natural element with its own vibrational energy field, and has been used in jewelry since ancient times. It is extensively used with gemstones due to the fact that the metal attracts and retains the qualities emitted by the stones. Sterling silver acts as a "mirror to the soul", allowing you to see deep within the self without judgment, bringing about calmness and balance. It also helps get in touch with our own emotions and intuitions, by helping acknowledge the inner voice instead of repressing it.
Guru beads have a deep significance for meditation practitioners and here are the meaning of symbols in Sivalya mala beads -
- Om: Sacred sound of the Universe uniting Mind, Body and Spirit
- Lotus: New Beginnings, Infinite Potential, Transformation
- Eye: Protection from Bad Energy, Intuition, Enlightenment
Each Sivalya mala comes cleansed and energized in its own natural jute bag to keep it protected from negative energies and is packed in a beautiful eco friendly gift box. Included within the box, you will also find descriptions of all gemstones that your mala consists of and a leaflet with details about malas, materials used and information about how to practice with and take care of your mala.
As you work with your mala, you slowly learn to step into your own power, working with your manifestations and intentions, welcoming new beginnings, attracting love, success and prosperity into your life. Let the magic of 108 prayer beads guide you on your journey to pure consciousness.