How to use Hindu and Muslim rosary?

What is a rosary?

The rosary (also called Māla) is the most important tool in Tantric magic, just as the wand is essential in the Western magical system. These tools are not simple objects but psychic instruments through which the magician or practitioner channels their power. It could be said that they represent an extension of the practitioner, as they are connected to them by a subtle and ethereal connection, much like a yantra or a sigil.

The rosary is not simply a tool for keeping track of mantras but also functions as a receptacle for energy, which accumulates in its beads through the constant repetition of prayers or mantras, becoming a truly powerful object. By chanting the mantras of certain deities or reciting certain prayers, the rosary turns into a Raksha Kavach or Raksha Māla, a type of amulet capable of protecting the wearer.

The Hindu rosary is usually composed of 108 beads, while the Muslim rosary consists of 99 to 100, although there are versions composed of fewer beads. The beads that make up both rosaries also vary and are often made of a wide variety of materials. The fact that these rosaries are composed of a wide variety of materials is not a whim or for aesthetic reasons, as some may think, but for a deeply spiritual reason.

Both the color and the material of a rosary’s beads indicate the type of ritual or worship for which the rosary is intended. Thus, crystal or Sphatik beads are typically dedicated to sattvik rituals related to Yakshinis, Apsaras, Yoginis, and other deities. Meanwhile, black quartz beads (black Hakik) are typically used for tamasic rituals, involving entities such as Bhootinis, Pretinis, Pishachinis, etc., to give just a few examples.

But in Hinduism, there is a universal rosary that can be used to perform any type of ritual, whether sattvic or tamasic. It is the Rudraksha rosary, also known as the rosary of Lord Shiva. Shiva is the master of Tantra and the lord who rules over all spirits. The Rudraksha, being dedicated to Lord Shiva, grants him power over any spirit. However, it should be noted here that the Rudraksha, like the rest of the Hindu rosaries, cannot be used in Islam, nor can Islamic rosaries be used in Hinduism.

Rudraksha Māla, available on Amazon.

Purifying a rosary

Now, before knowing how to use a rosary, we must first know how to purify and consecrate it. Many people think that the rosary can be used immediately as soon as it’s purchased, and that one can simply sit down and begin reciting mantras, which is a grave mistake. This not only drastically decreases the ritual’s chances of success, but it can also incur the wrath of the deity or entity involved, thus producing the opposite result. This is an important truth that many practitioners are unaware of.

In Hinduism, there is a traditional method for consecrating the rosary, but the procedure is too complex for beginners, and the required materials, such as Panchagavya, Peepal leaves, or Gangajal (Ganges water), are practically inaccessible, especially to Western practitioners. For this reason, in this post, we describe a simpler method that any practitioner can easily perform and that works for both Hindu and Muslim rosaries.

Before using any rosary after purchasing it, the first thing to do is prepare a bowl of pure, clean water mixed with a handful of salt to purify it. Now, completely immerse the rosary in that water and allow it to remain submerged for at least a couple of hours, although the recommended time is 24 hours. This action rids the rosary of its impurities, both physical and spiritual.

After remaining immersed in water for the recommended time, the rosary is washed with the same water before being removed and placed on a bronze plate on the altar. An oil lamp or scented candle is lit on the right and an incense stick is lit on the left. Twenty-one rose petals or another fragrant flower are placed on the rosary, reciting the mantra of the deity to whom the rosary is dedicated each time a petal is placed.

After that, the rosary is held in both hands and the deity involved is asked to bless and purify it for the ritual’s success. After that, at least eleven rosaries of the deity’s mantra must be recited. This act energizes the rosary and links it to the deity involved. With this act, the rosary is purified and consecrated. However, if it is not dedicated to any particular deity, then simply soak it in water for a few hours, wash it, and it’s ready for use.

Using a rosary

Now let’s address the main question of this post: how do you use a rosary? First, we must point out that the Hindu rosary is used completely differently than the Muslim rosary, and each has its own rules. The first rule is the posture in which the practitioner sits while using the rosary. In Hinduism and Buddhism, the practitioner is traditionally required to sit cross-legged or Sukhasana with their back straight, on a cotton mat.

Woman seated in Sukhasana

In Islam, the practitioner must sit kneeling on the mat. This posture is known as Vajrasana and is the one adopted by Muslim practitioners for prayer. Performing Muslim rituals requires sitting in this position, even if the practitioner is not Muslim. They must be dressed in a traditional Muslim robe with a cap and must face the Qibla or west.

Woman seated in Vajrasana

And just as the prayer posture differs between Hindus and Muslims, so too does the way the rosary is used. One of the most important rules in Hinduism is that the index finger should never touch the rosary when chanting mantras. The middle finger serves as a support for the rosary while the thumb is used to roll it. When you reach the end of the rosary, simply turn it over and continue counting, as shown in the video below.

Copyright Shajesh Tantra

But the Muslim rosary, or Tasbih, on the other hand, uses the index finger and thumb to count the repetitions. Once you reach the end of the rosary, you don’t turn it over; instead, you cross the bead marking the end and continue praying. This highlights the significant differences between the way the Hindu rosary is used and the Muslim one. However, the rules mentioned below apply to both and must be strictly observed.

Chanting mantras should be done quietly, so that the person next to you cannot hear the sound. Chanting should be done neither too fast nor too slow, and should be rhythmic. During chanting, it is forbidden to clear your face, cough, scratch your body, yawn, spit, talk, touch your body, become distracted, or move excessively. Changing the position of your feet or moving slightly to accommodate yourself is permitted, but be careful not to move too much.

The chanting of mantras should be performed aloud. The rosary should never touch the floor, not even by mistake. When not in use, the rosary should remain in a sheath or gomukhi on the altar or in a secure place. No one other than the practitioner should touch the rosary, as it is a strictly personal and sacred tool. It should never be touched with unclean hands or when the practitioner is in an impure (unclean) state, as this contaminates the rosary.

To conclude, in this post we have attempted to explain in detail the use of both the Hindu and Muslim rosaries and the rules that apply to both. If any concept remains unclear or you have any questions, please ask in the comments section or send us an email using the contact page.

Jai Mata Di 🙏