My Tulsi Mala Beads...

   I am showing my Tulsi Mala beads today because I just read a little history about them and what the 108 beads represent and thought I might share...

    In Japa Yoga, the Mala is used to help one in counting Mantra repetitions to a certain Deity...I perform regular Japa devotion to Lakshmi. The Mala generally is a string of 108 beads...made of different types of material such as sandlewood, tulsi, or rudraksha seeds. The number 108 is considered a holy number. The 1 means one line, symbolizing God, the Supreme Energy, the power from which all other lines, circles or movements come. The 0 is completeness, a circle representing God's creation as complete and perfect. 8 represents the sign of eternity, for creation goes on eternally.
    I chose the Tulsi beads because they are a representation of Lakshmi. Tulsi is considered to be the incarnation of the consort of Vishnu...that being Lakshmi...Devotees of Lord Vishnu believe that the leaves of Tulsi should be given as an offering to him...
     I am a devotee of Lakshmi in all of her forms...She is a beautiful Goddess...I will share more information on her at a later date...Japa has become a very important part of my life...It brings me great inner peace and balance...I have come to cherish my Mala beads and I take them with me every where I go as a reminder to live my life in a way that is good and righteous:-)

Namaste,
Jennifer Renee