The Mala is the most ancient form of a rosary, used to count the repetitions of a mantra, a prayer, as the spiritual self is trained. The cord running through the beads symbolizes the thread of Life. The Rudraksha Mala has been used by Hindus (as well as Sikhs and Buddhists) as rosary for thousands of years for meditation purposes to sanctify the mind, body and soul. The word Rudraksha is derived from Rudra (Shiva