A mala becomes meaningful through regular, attentive use. Start with the bead count and handling that support your practice.
54 or 108 beads?
A 108-bead mala suits a full round of japa. A 54-bead mala is compact and may be completed twice.
Neither is more correct. Choose the one you will actually carry and use, because a mala left at home is the wrong size whatever its count.
How to hold a mala
Rest the mala over the middle finger and move each bead with the thumb. The index finger stays clear of the beads.
Work towards the head bead and stop there. To continue, turn the mala and come back the way you came rather than crossing the head bead.
Daily care
Keep the mala dry, store it in a cloth bag rather than loose, and let it rest somewhere clean and settled between rounds.
Tulsi needs no polish and no cleaner. If a bead loosens on the thread, have it restrung rather than knotted in place.
