Many of you have received malas of various kinds during this visit. Most important point is that in Srisailam Pujya Appaji told everyone not to expose the mala to the eyes of others when you are chanting. Keep it covered or the power of your japa will go to the one who sees your mala. When you have finished 1 round or 5 rounds, you can then wear the mala at your convenience before placing it in a pure place like the puja room, using a japa bag, or a suitable container. Proceeds from this Mala distribution will go to the tribal forest children of Srisailam in the form of a school.
Jaya Guru Datta. Pujya Sri Swamiji clarifies that those who want pure crystal for the Datta Mala beads should be willing to shell out 40x the price. There is no special power or Shakti we gain in doing japa with pure crystal vs glass beads. It is your devotion, not the quality of beads in the Japamala that is paramount. It is also a farce that smearing ash all over the body is more powerful than smearing ash on one part of the body. People think one Shiva Lingam is more powerful than another. That is not true. The only thing that carries a little more power is the ( red ) coral beads.
There is power in chanting with count as well as just with fingers as Appaji is demonstrating. (Pujya Appaji is showing how japa should be done using fingers for count). The last two counts with the last two joints of the little fingers, do not add to the count. They will only compensate for the flaws of the previous 10 counts done in that round. Move your finger as Appaji is showing without lifting the thumb off the fingers.
The purity of the beads in the japa Mala is irrelevant. If you place monetary value on the beads, your japa will go in vain. If you go to Nepal, you can buy pure crystals there. I am also giving you the address you can go to, if you wish to buy perfectly pure crystals.
Pujya Sri Swamiji’s teachings :
Always carry a Japamala in your bag so that when you visit a kshetra or the ashrama, you can offer mantra japa of at least 1 Mala. The 5 fingers not only represent the panchabhutas, but also have connections to the limbs in the body. From the Vagus nerve, the energy travels through the nadis and goes to the Bhramarandhra and traverses back, thus removing whatever pain ails that part of the body.
Little finger represents water element. To prevent any afflictions related to the urinary system and the kidneys, massaging the hand from the base of the palm to the top of the little finger, will cause even kidney stones stuck in the body to be expelled.
By massaging from the base of the palm to the top of the ring finger, will give relief to parts of the body below the muladhara. Ring finger represents earth element. If you have pain in the lower extremities like the legs, do this massage.
Middle finger represents Akasha or space element. When the mind is troubled, massage from the base of the palm to the top of the middle finger.
Index finger represents Vayu or air element. By massaging from the base of the palm to the top of the index finger, you get relief from gastric and respiratory problems. Sometimes people struggle with insufficient oxygen flow at night, this massage will improve oxygen flow.
Massaging from the base of the palm to the top of the thumb relieves one of neck pain. Fire element associated with thumb is related to neck and head regions. You could also apply a little coconut oil or ghee for the massage.
As you do japam, never curse or think ill of anyone. Think of Sadguru with devotion and concentration, and offer japam even with all 10 fingers--doing 5 rounds with the right hand while you keep count with the other.
Jai Guru Datta!