ABOUT MALAS
Mala is a Sanskrit word for “garland”. Traditionally, a mala is a rosary of 108 beads, plus a central or master bead, which is used, in the Way of Adidam in devotional contemplation of Avatar Adi Da Samraj.
The beads of the mala should be of a natural and porous material so that they absorb the oils of the body, which are excellent conductors of energy. Rudraksha beads, which are the traditional favorite, are the seeds of the tree Elaeocarpus ganitus, which is found in India, Nepal, Malaysia, China, Fiji and a few other parts of the world. Sandalwood beads are also excellent.
As indicated, there are 108 beads in a traditional mala, and for smaller malas, any multiple of nine beads is used. For further Instruction on the sacred nature and use of the mala in Adidam, please see Avatar Adi Da’s The Dawn Horse Testament Of The Ruchira Avatar.
In general, the four pieces described above should be nine beads apart.
Malas Brochure
Download our Sacred Fires Mala Brochure [PDF].
Master Bead
A larger or more auspicious bead is often chosen for the master bead, since this bead represents Avatar Adi Da. Small rudraksha beads have five faces (the natural, longitudinal divisions). Larger beads can have from 1 to 25 or more faces. Traditionally auspicious master beads are the 9-faced bead or a Shiva-Shakti bead (a naturally occurring double bead).
View all Master Beads.
Murti Pendant
Beloved Adi Da has asked that devotees wear a Murti of His Form on their Malas. This can be photographically or artistically rendered. The Murti pendants made by Sacred Fires have a Murti photograph on one side, and a Sacred design or symbol on the reverse.
View all Murti Pendants.
Master Bead Caps
The bead caps are a way to embellish, honor and set apart the Master Bead.
View all Master Bead Caps.
Prasad Amulet
Preserve your Prasad by keeping it protected in an amulet. These are made to clip onto your mala or can be adapted to wear on a chain.
View all Prasad Amulets.
Amulet for the Prasad Orange Cloth
The orange cloth, which is the Prasad given each year at the Feast of the Horse-Sacrifice, should placed in an amulet to protect it and keep it clean. Beloved Adi Da’s Word to each devotee when the cloth is given is: “Be Dyed In My Color”.
View all Prasad Amulets.
Paduka Mandir Bead
This orange ceramic bead includes ash from the original Paduka Mandir Temple at Adidam Samrajashram. There is a small version of Beloved Adi Da’s Padukas on the cap of each bead.
View all Beads.
Bright Behind Me Bead
This red ceramic bead includes ash from the original Bright Behind Me Temple at the Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary, which was lost to fire. This Prasad is intended as a reminder of each devotee’s personal responsibility for Beloved Adi Da’s Circumstance.
View all Beads.
