As part of the Indian culture, we’ve received many traditions, artefacts and wisdom that have been passed down from generation to generation. These are the essence of our culture, and so it is important to know why they were so significant to our ancestors and why they remain vital today.

And so, we arrive as the importance to the Japa mala. It is something that you probably saw your grandparents and even your parents wear during large pujas and ceremonies and thought why did they have this beaded necklace around their neck.

Let’s understand more about Japa Mala!

The word mala has roots in Sanskrit and basically, means a garland which is made up of beads. Japa is the act of constantly repeating certain holy words or mantras during meditation. And so, we have the Japa mala!

Famously, the Japa mala always has 108+1 beads. The number 108 means a variety of things. It represents:

9 constellations x 12 planets = 108

Scriptures of the Vedas = 108

27 constellations x 4 padas = 108

Whichever representation you feel is the most important, the overall meaning of this is that the Japa mala symbolises the universe. It stands for the all-powerful universal being who we try to connect to as we recite our mantras.

During ancient times, the journey of the Japa Mala began when it was handed down from a guru to a student. This was meant to signify the beginning of the student’s spiritual path.

And that’s where the +1 bead comes in. The 109th bead is knotted to the mala and is called Guru bead, Meru bead, Sumeru, etc. This bead is meant to show respect to the guru and all that he has helped you achieve and understand.

During the act of Japa, once you reach the 108th bead, then you don’t cross the Guru bead. Instead, you should turn the mala around and then start counting from the 108th bead. This is meant to represent the fact that the entirety of the universal being is transcendental and not a part of our universe.

The string itself could be considered the most important part of the mala. Why? Because it is said to be the physical manifestation of the universal being itself as it holds and binds all the other beads.

Another symbol that is important to Indian mythology is represented within the Japa mala, and that is the circle. The Japa mala is circular because it represents the cyclic nature of life, one that is without a beginning or an end. By continuously cycling along the beads, we endeavour to come out of the endless circle of life and instead become the part of the eternal universal being.

This is why we so often saw our elders doing puja or meditating with the Japa mala. By being close to the universe, we can achieve peace, tranquillity and pure happiness.

This is the biggest reason to remember, respect and honour the Japa mala.