New Delhi: After Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, he was seen in Vrindavan a day later. He and his wife, Anushka Sharma, went to Vrindavan to seek blessings from spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj. After leaving the ashram, Kohli was seen holding a Jaap counting machine while exiting his car.
This article explains the japa mala (beads) and their spiritual significance.
What is Japa?
Before we move on to understand the significance of japa mala, let us know about japa.
Japa is a meditative repetition of a mantra or a divine name, and it is a well-known practice in many religions, including Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, and Buddhism.
Japa can be performed while sitting in a meditation posture or doing other activities. The mantra or name can be spoken softly, loudly, or recited silently.
Meaning of Japa
Japa is a Sanskrit word derived from the root jap, which means to utter in a low voice, repeat internally and mutter.
Japas can take various forms. In some forms, the repetitions are counted using a string of beads called a Japamala. Different types of materials are used in japa.
About Japamala
A Japamala contains 108 beads, and practitioners prefer to carry them in a bead bag to keep them clean.
A japamala, or mala, is a string of beads used mainly by Hindus and Buddhists. It usually has 108 beads, with a 109th bead called the Sumeru bead. Sometimes, males can have other numbers of beads, often in groups of 9. They can be made from natural materials like plain wood, tulsi, rudraksha, lotus seeds or turmeric.
People use malas to keep track of their recitations, chants, or mental repetitions of a mantra or a deity’s name. Using the mala correctly and energising it before wearing it is important. During meditation, a person may recite mantras hundreds or thousands of times. The mala helps focus on the meaning or sound of the mantra instead of counting each repetition.
Typically, one repetition is counted for each bead by turning the thumb clockwise around it. Some traditions might use a counterclockwise motion or recommend specific fingers. Once you reach the head bead, you turn the mala around and start again in the opposite direction. Beads are usually separated by knots, making it easier to use the mala since the beads won’t be too tight on the string.
Significance of 108 number in japamalas
The number 108 is important in spirituality. It has a deep meaning and can be understood in many ways. Mathematically, there are different ways to express this number, each with its own explanation.
In Sanskrit, there are 54 letters. These letters represent masculine and feminine energies, which symbolise Shiva and Shakti. Vedic astrology has 12 zodiac signs and nine planets, up to 108. This number helps balance our systems, nature, and minds.
Marma therapy is an Ayurvedic massage that stimulates points in the body to remove blockages and improve energy flow. The subtle body has 108 marma points. The distance between the Earth and the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Sun.
Yoga philosophy has 108 sacred Hindu texts, also known as Upanishads. There are also 108 lines of energy, called nadis, connected to the heart chakra, or Anahata. These are some reasons why the number 108 is significant in spirituality.
What are the benefits of a japamala?
Repeating a mantra through japa meditation gives you the energy and strength to face the six main struggles of the mind. These struggles, known as Arishadvargas or Shadripus, are anger, desires, greed, attachment, pride, and envy.
You can use malas to chant the names or mantras of different deities, such as masculine or feminine figures, or neutral sounds like Om or the Gayatri mantra. For example, you use a Rudraksha mala to call on Lord Shiva and a Kamal Gatta mala, made of lotus seeds, for Goddess Lakshmi. A Sphatik mala or Rudraksha mala can also be used to chant Om.
Meditating with a japa mala helps focus your mind and calms distractions. Keeping a steady rhythm during meditation builds concentration. Japa meditation can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. It also decreases stress and helps you think clearly when making decisions.
Additionally, japa meditation improves your mood and encourages positive thoughts. It helps you stay present in the moment and experience good emotions during stressful times. This practice builds resilience and enhances the flow of life force energy, or prana.
A mala can be worn in a few different ways:
1. Wrapped around the wrist several times.
2. As a necklace, especially if the beads are large and heavy.
3. Hung from a belt.
Keep the mala off the floor or ground, no matter how you wear it.
More than just prayer beads, the japamala symbolises inner discipline, focus, and divine connection. Discover its purpose and why the number 108 carries deep meaning in spiritual practice. Spirituality Lifestyle News -Fashion Trends, Beauty Tips, Celebrity Party News, Relationship advice, Travel and Food Tips
