A Rudraksha rosary 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 the 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 Rudra (Shiva) and the hind part Vishnu. Thus, the Trinity form of Lord Rudra gives the worldly pleasures and salvation to man in this world.

Lord Shiva's mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" or any other mantra chanted with Rudraksha Mala gives unlimited benefits as told in Shiva Purana.

The number of beads of the 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 1/4 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. A garland of 132 beads is useful for performing rituals to get riches.

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

The method of counting beads
Japa, the counting of beads, should be done after covering the mala. The mala should always be kept in a cotton bag (Gomukhi) and during the counting of beads of the 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 the rest of the mala's beads must remain sinking in the water. Now cover the hand with a cloth and start to do the japa. After completing the japa (reciting the mantra), this water should be sprinkled in the house, in the courtyard, and it should also be drunk. Doing so, the person gets happiness and he marches towards salvation.

Mantra for the attainment of final salvation or religious perfection should be recited by revolving the rosary with thumbs and Index finger (also called Tarjani i.e. first finger or the finger of Jupiter). The finger of Jupiter is also used for destroying enemies. Mantras for peace should be recited with the help of the thumb and second finger (also called Madhyama or finger of Saturn), and for the attainment of mantra siddhi with thumb and third finger (ring finger or finger of Sun). The thumb is used for final emancipation, finger of Jupiter for the prosperities through trading and business; finger of Saturn for wealth and happiness; finger of Sun for peace and, finally, anamika or finger of Mercury for all types of mantras, siddhis, etc. Revolving rosary with the thumb, middle and ring finger helps attaining peace and mental tranquility.

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