What is a mala?
Mala is a Sanskrit word meaning garland. Malas are a type of meditation beads or prayer beads and are an ancient tool designed to keep the mind focused and clear from thoughts.
A mala is a simple string of beads used in japa meditation to recite mantras, prayers, intentions, or affirmations. Malas can also be used to count breaths, used in a gratitude meditation, and even as a stylish fashion accessory. A traditional mala contains 108 counting beads plus one guru or meru bead. At Namaste Couture, our Dharma Mala consists of 108 beads designed to be styled in at least 6 unique ways. Our other Mala designs have been strung as a half mala containing 54 beads, a 1/3 Mala strung with 36 beads, & earrings that dangle natural gemstones for anchoring intentions. Custom designs are made to order for specific lengths , stones, and body types for our meditators and fashion requests. The guru (teacher) or meru (mountain) bead is often larger than the other counting mantra beads and it provides a starting and ending point for counting the repetitions of the mantra. Designer spacer beads are intuitively selected to accent a more stylish design and our signature feather tassel is connected to the end of the guru/meru bead to finish the mala with a final knot. Mala beads are also referred to as mantra beads, meditation beads, Hindu rosaries or Buddhist prayer beads.