A Rudraksha mala is most commonly prepared from five faced beads that are available most abundantly and also in various sizes. In Devi Bhagwat Puran one can read about method of preparation of Rudraksha mala for counting beads while chanting mantras. The main mouth (whole side) part of a Rudraksha is called Brahma, the middle part Vishnu and the bottom part Shiva.

Lord Shiva's mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" or any other mantra chanted with Rudraksha mala gives unlimited benefits.

The number of the beads of mala depends on the aim of chanting mantras. The mala of 108 + 1 =109 beads is regarded the best to count mantras. There are three kinds of malas. One of them includes 108 beads + 1 bead called sumeru. The other one includes 54 beads + 1 sumeru. If it is counted twice, it completes one mala. The third kind of mala includes ¼ beads of a full garland i.e. 27 beads + 1 sumeru .This is called 'sumarni'. Four times of this mala completes one full mala of 108 beads. This sumarni is good for the man who remains always busy with chanting mantras and meditation. It is easily portable. Garland of 132 beads is useful for performing rituals mantras moksa ( liberation ) ; that if thirty beads renders wealth, that of fifty beads renders prosperity for a malevolent purpose. While wearing a rosary of 27 beads if a man dose rituals, he gets a crore times more benefit. Vopadeva states in Padarth-Darsa that one who wears thirty two Rudrakshas in neck , forty on forehead , six in each ears , twelve in each wrists,sixteen in each arm , four on each eye , one hundred and eight over the chest , himself becomes Neela Kantha ( shiva ).

There is a mention of merits of mala in chanting mantras ( mystic syllables ) by the combination of different fingers for different purpose in some other mystic literatures. It is said that in handling the mala only forepart of the fingers should be used. There is a prominent bead, which is normally the central portion of the mala and is called Meru. The Sadhaka while rotating the mala should not overtake this Meru while counting and from there he should count the recitations in the reverse order.

The Method of Counting Beads : Japa, the counting of beads , should be done after covering the mala. Mala should be kept always in a cotton bag ( GoMukhi ) and during the counting of beads of mala ; the hand should be inside the GoMukhi. While counting mantras the mala should not touch the ground at any time. There is another method for Japa - Take a copper bowl filled with water and now half of the beads of the mala remain in hand and rest of the mala beads must remain sinking in the water. Now cover the hand with a cloth and start to do the japa. After complete the japa ( reciting the mantra ) , this water should be drunk. Doing so the person gets happiness and he marches towards salvation. Japa should always be done with certain precautions which are listed below :

1) A Japa Mala should be different than the mala which is worn on the body.
2) Japa should be done always at a fixed time.
3) During japa period continuity should be maintained and one should not do talking.
4) Left hand should not be used for doing Japa.
5) Nails should not touch the beads. Similarly little fingure also should not touch the beads. The Japa Mala should not be kept on the floor and during the japa it should be covered by keeping it in a cotton 'Go Mukhi'.
6) If the idol , Yantra or the photo of God for whom the Japa is being done is in the front then the height of these should be above the naval of person dong the japa.
7) Rudraksha Mala can be used for all Mantras except as a precaution the Shakti Mantra should not be use for Japa during day time on this mala.

The person who is doing japa should face the following direction :

Facing west to obtain wealth
Facing North to obtain mental peace , protection , health and knowledge.
Facing East to attract a person within the self
Facing South for Tantrik practices

For the worship and rituals of almost all the gods and goddesses, the Jap or frequent chanting of some mantras is compulsory with definite number according to the God and the Goddess each for the fulfillment of desires. In this case Mala is the best means to count beads for counting the mantra. It can be asked why there are only 108 beads in a Mala neither more nor less ?

At first it tells us how many times we have counted the mantra. Secondly a subtle electric current is created in the mind by rubbing of the thumb with fingure. This electric current influences the heart through Vegas veins and makes the mind concentrate deeply. According to astronomy there are 27 constellations ( group of start ) in the universe and each constellation ( group of start ) has four quadrants (charan ) hence there are 24 x 4 = 108 quadrants in all. The constellation has again been divided into 12 equal parts corresponding 12 signs of zodiac and there are only 9 planets in the universe if we multiply them together the result will be 108 [ 12 x 9 = 108 ]. Thus 108 is the best to join the individual consciousness with the Absolute Consciousness.

There are many kinds of Malay used in spiritual and meditation purposes.

1) Lotus-seed Malay ( Kamal Gatta Mala ) - This mala is used for the worship of the Goddess Lakshmi for Jaap or to chant her mantra. There is special importance to chant her mantra with Lotus and Seed mala.

2) Turmeric Mala - It is used to perform Anusthan ( special prayers ) and destroy enemies and succeed in law suits. If a man has fallen prey to Jaundice, he should wear garland of 8, 10 beads of turmeric , he would surely be cured.

3) Putra Jeeva mala - It is used in Sadhana for having an off spring in the family.

4) Silver Beads Mala - To fulfill any sacred and virtuous object ( aim ) silver beads mala is the most effective.

5) Kush's root ( knot ) Mala - The mala , made from the roots of kusha grass , is used for all sacred and virtuous activities.

6) Sandal Wood Garland and Mala - ( I) Mala made of white sandalwood is used for peace and empowering rituals and for worshipping other deities. Sandal wood garland is good for welcoming and for giving honour. (II) Red sandalwood (Rose wood ) mala is used in worship of Lord Ganesh and Goddesses.

7) Tulsi Mala and Kanti ( Neck Mala ) - This mala is regarded as the best for worshipping Lord Vishnu, Ram and Krishna. According to Ayurveda, it is very useful in diseases related to throat. It is also used for the purification of the body.

8) Conch Mala - It is used for special tantrik purposes.

9) Baijanti Mala - It is used by the devotees of Lord Vishnu and for chanting mantras for worship of goddess Lakshmi.

10) Amber Mala - It is very useful in diseases related to blood and disorder in menstruation.

11) Quartz ( Sphatik or Crystal ) Mala - It is the best mala for counting beads while chanting Devi Mantras. If it is worn, the mind becomes pacified and quiet. He who wears it, becomes pacified and quied. He who wears it, becomes favorite of Lord Shiva.

12) Kaharwa Mala - It is put around the neck of the patients of jaundice. It cures the disease very soon.

13) Navratna Mala - This is used to pacify nine planets. There are nine precious stones corresponding the nine planets in it. It gives mental peace, when it is worn.

14) Coral Mala - It is used during sadhana or worship of Lord Ganesh, Hanuman,Lakshmi and Mars planet. It is also useful for people who are prone to anemic condition.

Similarly there are many rosaries made of semi precious stones for different planets. For example there are garlands of Garnet, Pearl, Jade, Onex, Sunehla,Blue Sapphire, Topaz Onex, Topaz Zircon, Cat's eye Emethyst, Rosequartze, Tiger, Agate and Moonstone. These malas are very useful in pacifying the inimical planetary influences in one's life. Crystal mala in used regarding it as Shiva-Shakti incarnate, Pearl the moon incarnate. Rudraksha-coral mala is worn regarding as incarnate of Lord Shiva and Hanuman. Thus they are used to count mahtras of different deities and are worn to attain peace of mind and happiness.