Serial Number: RB 0444
Status: Display
Description:
Mala Prayer Beads
This mala prayer beads is composed of 54 round shaped beads. The bead size measures 15 x 17 mm, 50 cm in length, and weighs 85.7 grams. The Shaheed is made of mala beads while the karkousha is tassel.
Malas are often used as decorations, jewelry, or during seated meditation. You may see malas adorning the wrists, necks, and altars of meditation devotees and at the top of mats of yoga practitioners. These beautiful necklaces often hold special significance for the bearer based on where they got it, why they chose the stones, and the energy resonance they feel with the beads.
Traditionally a mala—which means garland —has 108 beads strung together and one guru bead, which is larger than the rest. The guru bead is used as a place marker for the fingers to feel for the end or the beginning of the necklace for meditation or mantra chanting. Sometimes there are special or different shaped beads placed after every 27th bead to make it easier to keep track of the mantra. You’ll often also find bracelets and decorative necklaces with 54 or 27 beads, half and a quarter of the 108 respectively. Nowadays, malas are made out of a variety of materials including wood, seeds, stones, pearls, and crystals.
