.png "The Japa Mala holds great significance in the practice of Japa, a meditative repetition of a mantra or divine name. Typically, a traditional Mala consists of 108 beads. This number is not arbitrary but holds a deeper meaning. Throughout the day, an average person breathes approximately 21,600 times. By performing 200 rounds of Japa, which equals 21,600 repetitions, one aligns their Japa practice with each breath taken. Engaging in 200 Malas of Japa daily means dedicating oneself to the remembrance of God throughout the entire day. To maintain this calculation, Malas may also have beads that are divisible by 108. Within the Mala, there is a central bead called the Meru. This bead symbolizes the completion of 108 repetitions of Japa. Each time the practitioner reaches the Meru bead, they progress one step further on their spiritual path, overcoming an obstacle and diminishing a portion of their ignorance. The Mala serves as a reminder and a tool to inspire regular Japa practice. Similar to the Japa Mala, other religious traditions employ prayer beads as aids in devotion. For instance, Muslims use a Tasbi, a form of rosary, while reciting the name of Allah, and Christians have their paternoster. Before commencing Japa and meditation, it is common to recite the Raksha Stotra. This prayer translates to \"May the Lord protect me, residing in every part of my body.\" Each body part is individually named, and a specific name of the Lord is repeated for the protection of that particular area. Additionally, practices like Anganyasa and Karanyasa also serve the same purpose by warding off the influence of malevolent spirits. These practices effectively eliminate obstacles that hinder concentration and meditation, ensuring that the mind remains free from negative thoughts. In essence, the Raksha Stotra is a prayer aimed at removing impediments in one's Japa and meditation practice, establishing a harmonious and focused state of mind.")
The Japa Mala holds great significance in the practice of Japa, a meditative repetition of a mantra or divine name. Typically, a traditional Mala consists of 108 beads. This number is not arbitrary but holds a deeper meaning.
Throughout the day, an average person breathes approximately 21,600 times. By performing 200 rounds of Japa, which equals 21,600 repetitions, one aligns their Japa practice with each breath taken. Engaging in 200 Malas of Japa daily means dedicating oneself to the remembrance of God throughout the entire day. To maintain this calculation, Malas may also have beads that are divisible by 108.
Within the Mala, there is a central bead called the Meru. This bead symbolizes the completion of 108 repetitions of Japa. Each time the practitioner reaches the Meru bead, they progress one step further on their spiritual path, overcoming an obstacle and diminishing a portion of their ignorance. The Mala serves as a reminder and a tool to inspire regular Japa practice.
Similar to the Japa Mala, other religious traditions employ prayer beads as aids in devotion. For instance, Muslims use a Tasbi, a form of rosary, while reciting the name of Allah, and Christians have their paternoster.
Before commencing Japa and meditation, it is common to recite the Raksha Stotra. This prayer translates to "May the Lord protect me, residing in every part of my body." Each body part is individually named, and a specific name of the Lord is repeated for the protection of that particular area. Additionally, practices like Anganyasa and Karanyasa also serve the same purpose by warding off the influence of malevolent spirits. These practices effectively eliminate obstacles that hinder concentration and meditation, ensuring that the mind remains free from negative thoughts.
In essence, the Raksha Stotra is a prayer aimed at removing impediments in one's Japa and meditation practice, establishing a harmonious and focused state of mind.