A rudraksha mala is the most trusted companion for mantra jaap. The beads keep your count, steady your mind and turn a long chant into a calm, rhythmic practice. Yet many people buy a rudraksha mala and are then unsure how to hold it, which finger to use, or what to do when they reach the big bead at the top. This guide covers everything — what a rudraksha mala is, how to use a rudraksha mala for jaap, the different types of rudraksha mala, how to choose the right one, and how to care for it so it lasts for years.
✨ Quick Answer
To use a rudraksha mala for jaap, hold it in your right hand, let it rest on the middle finger, and move one bead at a time towards you with the thumb. Keep the index finger away. Start next to the sumeru (guru) bead, chant one mantra per bead, and after 108 beads turn the rudraksha mala around instead of crossing the sumeru. A 5 Mukhi rudraksha mala of 108 + 1 beads is the most common choice for daily jaap.
📿 What Is a Rudraksha Mala?
A rudraksha mala is a string of dried rudraksha seeds, traditionally associated with Lord Shiva. A rudraksha japa mala usually has 108 beads plus one extra bead called the sumeru, meru or guru bead, which marks the start and end of each round. The beads are strung on thread or silk, often with a knot between each bead so they don't rub against each other.
Most jaap malas are made from 5 Mukhi rudraksha, which is connected with Kalagni Rudra and considered suitable for everyone. A rudraksha mala of other mukhis is chosen when a devotee wants to focus on a specific deity or planet.
🔢 Why Does a Rudraksha Mala Have 108 Beads?
The number 108 is sacred across Hindu tradition. A few of the reasons commonly given:
- 12 rashis × 9 grahas = 108 — one round covers every zodiac sign and planet.
- 27 nakshatras × 4 charans = 108 — each lunar mansion has four quarters.
- Many deity names are traditionally recited in sets of 108 (the Ashtottara Shatanamavali).
- One full round of 108 is treated as one complete unit of jaap, which makes counting a sankalp (11 or 21 rounds) easy.
Smaller rudraksha malas of 54 + 1 or 27 + 1 beads are also used — you simply complete two or four rounds to reach 108.
🌟 Spiritual Benefits of a Rudraksha Mala
In traditional practice, devotees value a rudraksha mala because it:
- Builds focus — the touch of each bead keeps your attention on the mantra.
- Keeps an accurate count without needing to think about numbers.
- Creates a daily rhythm — picking up the same mala each day signals the mind that it's time for jaap.
- Deepens devotion to Lord Shiva, with whom rudraksha is closely linked.
- Carries your practice — a regularly used rudraksha mala is believed to hold the energy of your chanting.
🙏 How to Use a Rudraksha Mala for Jaap — Step by Step
- Prepare the space. Sit facing east or north on an asan (kusha, wool or cotton mat) — never directly on the floor. Light a diya and incense if you like.
- Take a sankalp. Decide your mantra and the number of rounds (1, 3, 5, 11, 21 or 108) before you begin, and keep it the same each day.
- Hold the rudraksha mala in your right hand. Drape it over the middle finger (or ring finger). Keep the index finger pointed away — it is linked with ego and is not used to touch the beads.
- Start beside the sumeru. Place your thumb on the first bead next to the guru bead. Never begin on the sumeru itself.
- One mantra, one bead. Chant the mantra fully, then use your thumb to pull the next bead towards you (inwards, towards your palm).
- Do not cross the sumeru. When you reach the guru bead after 108 beads, stop, touch it to your forehead if you wish, then turn the mala around and continue in the opposite direction for the next round.
- Keep the mala covered. Ideally chant with your hand inside a gaumukhi (cloth jaap bag) or with the mala held close to your heart — a rudraksha japa mala is not meant to be displayed during jaap.
- Close with gratitude. After the final round, offer the jaap to your deity, sit quietly for a minute, and put the mala back in its bag or on your puja altar.
Tip: A calming fragrance helps you settle before long jaap. See our guide to the best attars for meditation and puja.
🕉️ Mantras to Chant With a Rudraksha Mala
| Mantra | Deity | Chanted For |
|---|---|---|
| Om Namah Shivaya | Lord Shiva | Daily jaap, inner peace, devotion |
| Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra | Lord Shiva | Protection and well-being |
| Gayatri Mantra | Savitri / Surya | Clarity, wisdom, focus |
| Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya | Lord Vishnu / Krishna | Devotion and surrender |
| Om Gan Ganapataye Namah | Lord Ganesha | New beginnings, removing obstacles |
| Navagraha beej mantras | The nine planets | Planetary peace (see Navratna guide) |
Tulsi malas are traditionally preferred for Vishnu and Krishna mantras, but a rudraksha mala is widely accepted for all deities. If you follow a specific guru or sampradaya, follow their guidance.
🪔 Types of Rudraksha Mala
Not every rudraksha mala is made for the same purpose. The main types you'll come across:
- 2 Mukhi Rudraksha Mala — associated with Ardhanarishvara and the Moon, chosen for harmony in relationships and emotional balance. Explore the Original 2 Mukhi Rudraksha Mala.
- 4 Mukhi Rudraksha Mala — associated with Lord Brahma and Mercury, popular with students and anyone seeking focus and learning. The 4 Mukhi Rudraksha Mala (27 + 1 beads) is a compact size for shorter jaap or travel.
- 5 Mukhi Rudraksha Mala — the classic all-purpose japa mala, suitable for everyone and every mantra.
- Siddha Rudraksha Mala — a rare, premium combination of one bead each from 1 to 14 Mukhi, plus Gauri Shankar and Ganesh rudraksha. It is usually worn rather than used for counting, and is valued by serious practitioners. See the Original Siddha Rudraksha Mala (1–14 Mukhi with Gauri Shankar & Ganesh).
🛍️ How to Choose the Right Rudraksha Mala
| What to Check | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Counting jaap → 108 + 1 or 27 + 1 beads; wearing for spiritual support → mukhi-specific or Siddha rudraksha mala |
| Bead count | 108 + 1 for full jaap; 54 + 1 or 27 + 1 for travel or shorter practice |
| Mukhi | 5 Mukhi for general use; 2 Mukhi for harmony; 4 Mukhi for learning and focus |
| Bead size | Smaller beads (5–7 mm) are light and easy to wear; medium beads (8–10 mm) are easier to count by touch |
| Origin | Nepal beads are larger with deep grooves; Java/Indonesian beads are smaller and lighter — both are genuine rudraksha |
| Stringing | Knots between beads, strong cotton or silk thread, and a clearly separate sumeru bead |
| Authenticity | Clear natural mukhi lines, no cracks or glued joins, bought from a trusted seller |
Want to be sure you're buying an original rudraksha mala? Read How to Identify Original Rudraksha (Real vs Fake Test) before you buy.
🌿 How to Energise a New Rudraksha Mala
Before its first use, a new rudraksha mala is usually purified and energised. A simple home method:
- Choose a Monday or any auspicious day, ideally in the morning after bathing.
- Rinse the mala gently with Gangajal, or bathe it in panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar) and then rinse with clean water.
- Pat it dry and place it on a clean cloth before Lord Shiva's image or Shivling.
- Offer sandalwood paste, a flower and incense from your puja items.
- Chant Om Namah Shivaya 108 times, then begin using the mala.
If you'd like a priest to do this for you with full vidhi, you can book it through our online puja services.
🧼 How to Care for Your Rudraksha Mala
- Keep it dry. Remove your rudraksha mala before bathing or swimming. Soap, shampoo and chlorine dry out the beads.
- Clean gently. Once in a while, brush the grooves with a soft toothbrush and plain water, then dry completely in shade.
- Oil occasionally. If the beads look dry, apply a few drops of sandalwood or mustard oil, leave for a day and wipe off the excess.
- Store with respect. Keep it in a cloth bag or on your puja shelf — away from the bathroom and never on the floor.
- Keep it personal. A jaap mala absorbs your practice, so it is traditionally not lent to others.
- Silver caps need care too. For a silver-capped mala such as the Siddha mala, wipe the caps with a soft dry cloth and avoid perfume or water contact.
- Restring when needed. If the thread looks worn, restring it before it breaks, keeping the sumeru in place.
⚖️ Jaap Rudraksha Mala vs Wearing Rudraksha Mala
Tradition suggests keeping the rudraksha mala you use for jaap separate from the one you wear. A jaap mala stays in your puja space and is used only for chanting, while a wearing mala — such as a Siddha rudraksha mala — or a rudraksha bracelet or pendant goes with you through the day. If you have only one mala, you can use it for both — just keep it clean and treat it with care.
❓ Rudraksha Mala — Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I use a rudraksha mala for jaap?
Hold the mala in your right hand, rest it on the middle finger and move one bead towards you with your thumb for each mantra. Start beside the sumeru and turn the mala around after 108 beads.
2. What should I do when I reach the sumeru bead?
Don't cross it. Turn the rudraksha mala around and start the next round in the opposite direction.
3. Which rudraksha mala is best for beginners?
A 5 Mukhi rudraksha mala of 108 + 1 beads is the most common and versatile choice for anyone starting daily jaap.
4. Can women wear or use a rudraksha mala?
Yes. Women across many traditions use a rudraksha mala for jaap and wear rudraksha. Follow your family or guru's customs if they differ.
5. Can I wear my jaap rudraksha mala?
Traditionally, the jaap mala is kept only for chanting and a separate mala is worn. If you have just one, you can use it for both with care.
6. What is a Siddha rudraksha mala?
A Siddha rudraksha mala combines one bead of every mukhi from 1 to 14 with Gauri Shankar and Ganesh rudraksha. It is a premium mala that is usually worn for overall spiritual support.
7. How many rounds of jaap should I do daily?
Start with one round (108 chants) and increase to 3, 5 or 11 as your practice grows. Being regular matters more than the number.
8. What if my rudraksha mala breaks?
Collect all the beads, including the sumeru, and get it restrung. A break is usually just a worn thread and is not a bad sign.
📿 Find Your Rudraksha Mala
Explore original rudraksha malas, beads and bracelets at Divine Vedas — or message us for help choosing the right one.
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