SACRED HIMALAYAN YAK BONE MALA
HANDCARVED WITH OM MAANE
The practice of making malas with 108 beads dates back to ancient Vedic culture, where practitioners believed that 108 was the number of existence. ere are 108 Vedic Upanishads (sacred texts), 108 marma points (sacred sites on the body), and 108 energy lines converging at the heart chakra.
108 Beads
You will notice that in counting the number of beads on our malas, that there are 108 consistently. 108 is seen to be a sacred number in the Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Thus, you will find that malas typically will have 18, 27, 54 or 108 beads on them.
The Tassel
The tassel is the cluster of strings that sit at the bottom of the necklace. Each strand of string in the tassel is an extension of the string that binds the necklace together.
Overhand Knotting
A true sign of a traditionally crafted mala, overhand knotting not only makes the mala stronger, it also provides the perfect space for Japa Meditation.
Guru Bead
The Guru Bead is the bead that the tassel attaches directly to.
Dharmendra is also an expert in tying knots. He has many times created beautiful teng-gars (malas) for myself and other practitioners . Instead of a plain knot after the guru bead he will create an intricate decorative knot, called a Mahakala knot. He will also create a palm leaf knot at the end of the counter beads. Dharmendra has been most generous in teaching me how to create these wonderful knots.