A smooth, polished rudraksha prayer strand of 108 seeds – the natural seed's grooves gently smoothed for a pleasant touch.
Polished rudraksha
Rudraksha is the seed of the Elaeocarpus ganitrus tree, honoured in Hindu tradition as a sacred aid and linked to the god Shiva. In this mala the seeds are polished, so the surface is smoother, the grooves softer and the touch more pleasant for everyday wear. Polishing preserves the natural pattern; each bead is unique. The meaning attached to the seeds is traditional, not a medical effect.
The 108-bead prayer strand
A mala is the prayer strand of the Hindu and Buddhist traditions, originally used to count mantras in meditation. A larger guru bead closes the 108 beads, standing for wisdom and the completeness of the circle; the practitioner repeats a mantra at each bead and, on reaching the guru bead, turns the circle back. This slow, repeating motion has helped focus attention for centuries.
How to use it
Hold the mala in your hand during meditation or mantra recitation and move from bead to bead between the thumb and index finger. Through the day it can be worn wound around the wrist as a quiet reminder.
Material and care
108 polished rudraksha seeds, about 41 cm long. The polished surface is smooth and durable; keep it dry and wipe it with a soft cloth. The seeds are natural, so the shade varies slightly from one to the next.