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Grown primarily in the Punjab regions of India and Pakistan, rosewood has long been prized both for its healing properties and as a beautiful and utilitarian wood. Rosewood is especially characterized by its calming aroma, which matures with age and handling, making it a perfect choice for malas. The scent gently encourages a sense of well-being and is effective against anxiety and headaches. Associated with the heart chakra, rosewood holds a compassionate and healing energy and is also believed to protect against negativity.
Mala (also called japa) necklaces are prayer beads and meditation aids that are commonly used in Hindu and Buddhist practices, similar to Rosary beads in the Christian religion. The main body of a mala consists of 108 beads that are fed through the fingers to keep count while reciting, chanting, or mentally repeating a mantra, affirmation, or the name of a deity. This allows the user to focus on the meaning or sound of the mantra rather than attempting to keep count of its repetitions. 108 is a sacred number with multiple layers of meaning, and has remained the number of beads on a mala over centuries of diverse practices of meditation. In the Buddhist tradition, 108 refers to the total number of the types of troubles or afflictions (kleshas) that humans strive to overcome in order to attain enlightenment; in the Hindu tradition, it indicates the cosmic wholeness that binds creation together and the associated merits that humankind can hope to achieve (dharma). The tassel is said to represent the lotus flower, which symbolizes each individual’s quest for self-realization and enlightenment.
Malas can also be worn while not in the act of meditation or prayer as a reminder of each human being’s innate spiritual nature, and are useful for keeping the wearer grounded as they go about their day to day lives.
