Why 108? The Sacred Rhythm of Malas

If you’ve ever held a mala in your hands, you might have wondered "why 108 beads? Why not 50, or 200?" 

The truth is, there isn’t just one answer. Some say it’s because there are 108 Upanishads, the ancient texts of wisdom. Others say it’s because 108 energy lines meet at the heart, the place where connection lives. In mathematics, 108 is called a Harshad number, which means “great joy.” Even in the sky, it shows up, the distance from the Earth to the Sun is about 108 times the Sun’s diameter.

Over and over, this number appears, carrying a sense of wholeness and balance. Maybe that’s why seekers across traditions chose 108 as the sacred rhythm for their practice.

A Tool for Remembrance
A mala is not just an ornament. It’s a tool for meditation, for mantra, for returning to yourself. Moving bead by bead, repeating an intention or prayer, the mind begins to quiet. Over time, the mala becomes alive with practice, it holds the energy of the mantras, becoming a companion on the path.

This isn’t a rule we follow out of superstition. It’s how we stay true to spread rudraksha malas in their most authentic form. Making malas with 108 beads is one way we honor that. It keeps us connected to the essence of what a mala is.

The beads themselves carry their own story. In the tradition, rudraksha are known as the tears of Shiva. It is said that when Shiva opened his eyes after deep meditation and saw the suffering of humanity, he wept tears of compassion. Where those tears fell, rudraksha trees grew.

That’s why we love working with them. They are natural, sustainable, they literally grow on trees, but they’re also a reminder of the divine within us. When worn, they are said to bring calm, protect against negativity, and guide us closer to peace.

For us, 108 is not about superstition. It’s about rhythm, devotion, and remembrance.

Bead by bead, breath by breath, the mala carries us back to ourselves. That’s why we continue to create them in the most sacred way we know: 108 beads, one Guru bead, and the divine gem of seeds at the heart.

Sometimes the simplest things are the ones that stay with us forever.

👉 Click here to explore our malas and discover the rhythm of 108 for yourself.