ETYMOLOGY AND ORIGIN OF JAPA MALA
Japa Mala is the Sanskrit word which is derived from the root jap-, which means “to utter in a low voice, repeat internally, mutter.”
Japa is a spiritual discipline comprising the meditative repetition of a mantra (or name) of God.
A Japa mala, or simply Mala is a loop of prayer beads generally used in Indian religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism for counting recitations when performing japa (mantra or other sacred sound) or for counting some other sadhana (spiritual practice) like prostrating before a holy icon.
Japa Mala are similar to other forms of prayer beads which are used in various world religions & are sometimes known as ‘rosary’ in Christianity.
The origin of Japa Mala is still unknown. They have been used for centuries by a range of religions from Hinduism, Buddhism to Catholicism. Today, these prayer beads are sometimes used as a mindfulness aid without any religious affiliation.
WHAT ARE THE JAPA MALA MADE UP OF?
The main body of Japa Mala consists of 108 beads (which reflects a sacred number in both Hinduism & Buddhism) in addition to a guru bead, which is larger than the rest of the beads and often has a tassel.
Japa Mala come in various styles, sizes and colours. You can also find Malas with 54 or 27 beads, these can help you keep track of your repetitions while giving you the option of doing a shorter meditation.
Bahá’í prayer beads consist of either “* beads or 19 beads, which are strung with the addition of * beads below. And the Sikh mala also has 108 beads (as similar to japa mala).
The oldest set of prayer beads in Western Christianity, the Pater Noster cord, traditionally consist of 150 beads for the 150 Psalms in the Bible, though Pater Noster cords of 50 beads have been made in the way that are prayed through thrice. Then Roman Catholics came to use the Rosary (prayer bead) with 59 beads.
A wide variety of materials are used to make Japa Mala beads, such as, in Hinduism, Vaishnavas often use the Japa Mala of tulsi beads. Whereas the Shaivites use Japa Mala of Rudraksha beads, and Aghori practitioners generally use fragments of human skull for their Japa Malas.
Also beads can be made up of seeds (of lotus plant), precious or semiprecious stones (such as carnelian and amethyst), wood (Bodhi tree), or other materials (such as sandalwood).
In Hindu Tantra, as well as Buddhist Tantra or Vajrayana, materials and colours of the beads can relate to a particular practice.
HOW TO USE JAPA MALA?
Many people find it difficult to keep their mind from wandering off. Here Japa Mala is an ideal choice. These prayer beads “have the aim of keeping you focused during meditation”.
The prayer beads, Japa Mala, can help you with different aspects of meditation, which is linked to an array of health benefits.
There are 2 ways of using Japa Mala which can help make meditation easier:
- The repetitive movement of your fingers across the beads helps ground you.
- Touching each bead as you say a mantra helps you keep track of how many times you’ve repeated the mantra.
HOLISTIC BENEFITS OF USING JAPA MALA
Japa Mala beads might be pretty to look at and soothing to touch, however these simple necklaces are more than just trendy jewellery. They are dynamic tools that can help guide and promote mindfulness practices along with numerous benefits.
Here we are providing you a general list of benefits of Japa Mala:
- It removes poverty.
- It is beneficial for overall health and well being.
- It brings mental peace, freedom from headaches and blood related issues.
- It cools the body and calms the mind.
- It enhances the energy of your body,
- It alleviates negative thoughts.
- It protects you from spirits and ghosts.
- It helps in creating a positive environment around you.
- It brings luck to your life.
- It helps in overcoming emotional problems.
- It aids in controlling anger or intense emotions.
- It reduces stress, anxiety and depression.
- It aids in curing various health diseases such as Asthma, diabetes, cold and cough.
- It strengthens your relationships.
- It boosts love between the couples.
- It promotes life full of love and happiness.
- It makes you calm and composed.
- It activates Agya chakra.
- It mitigates the past reactions of karmas.
- It helps in memory and great decision making.
- It aids in the awakening of Kundalini.
- It enhances self- power.
- It alleviates the blood impurities.
- It regulates blood pressure.
- It cures the influence of adverse planets.
- It enhances sleep cycle.
- It promotes holistic health.
- It reduces stress
- It Helps in slow respiration
- It encourages mental and physical well being, and much more.
The importance of the number of beads in a Japa Mala is associated with the goal of practicing a specific japa. Like, A Japa Mala with 27 beads is used for spiritual progress whereas a Japa Mala with 108 beads is used for attaining fulfilment.
BOTTOM LINE
The power of holy prayer beads or Japa mala is undeniable, and the facts about the same have been scripted in several religious texts. There is a massive belief that Japa mala brings positivity, fortune, and peace in your life, if you wears it. Moreover, it is supposed to give you tranquility and calmness. In addition to this, wearing or reciting a Japa mala ensures both spiritual joy and monetary riches.
The prayer beads or , Japa Mala, are very popular in India and Buddhist countries, which are generally used for keeping count while reciting, chanting, or mentally repeating a mantra or the name/s of a particular deity. The recitation of mantras is a very popular practice in both India & Asia. As sacred utterances, mantras can be repeated silently or chanted for several reasons or purposes.
They are used predominantly by the Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs as aids to meditation and devotion.
The sound vibrations produced by mantras instil concentration in the devotee and facilitate spiritual growth.
While there are a wide range of traditions and styles of meditation you can practice, japa meditation is the easiest and most powerful way to meditate.
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