JAP MALA DETAILS:

Before sharing the subject material one would like to share an interesting information from Shiv purana which many of us may not be knowing.

 

It is said once Indra, king of the divines along with his guru Brihaspati ji departed for darshan of lord Shiva on mount Kailash. On hearing that they are coming for His darshan, Shiva thought to check them. He converted himself into an avdhoot, with ashes on his body, without any clothes, immense physical form. Thus He stood obstructing Indras path.He looked very fearful. Indra could not know who this person is and asked him to introduce himself. He enquired from him whether lord Shiva is at Kailash or not. After inquiring many times, avdhoot did not answer. Indra got angry and said that since you are not answering even after being asked so many times, be ready to face the wrath of my Vajra. Thus, he picked his Vajra to kill the avdhoot obstructing his path. Lord Shiva immidiately immobilised the Vajra. The arm holding the vajra also got transed and Indra could not move anything despite his best efforts. Avdhoot started shinning with great light as if He was going to burn Indra with it. Indra started burning with his own anger as he could not do anything. His guru Brihaspati that very moment realised that the person obstructing their path is nobody else but lord Shiva himself. He immidiately fell at his feet and sang many stotras to appease him. He also made indra to prostrate at His feet.  He requested lord Shiva to let go of his anger as the fire coming out of it is going to burn them. On hearing this Lord Shiva laughed and said it is not possible for him to take back this anger fire. It has to come out. On request of Brihaspati, lord Shiva threw that fire in to the ocean. Where it fell, a child appeared, who was known as the son of ocean and named Jalandhar. (Shiv Puran,page no. 475-476). He did great tapasya, acquired many sidhis. Later he stood against the divines. As per this puran, he was killed by lord Shiva himself on request of the divines.

 

It is also said that Kangra in Himachal was the sadhana sthali of Jalandhar. He is said to have appeased devi and taken many powers from her. Later when he started fighting with divines, who could not subdue him, devi had to appear to fight him. On seeing his own isht in front of him, he realised that his time has come. So he sought a boon from devi that when you kill me, where ever my body parts will fall, there only your bhaktas should abound. She granted his request. Since he had many powers, he immiditely expanded his body and became huge. Devi cut him with one stroke and his body fell over a great area. The whole area was later known as Jalandhar peeth, present day Jalandhar is named after him only.

 

Many people question as to what happens when we offer various things during ceremonies done after death of near and dear ones. As per Hindu religion, keeping the welfare of the departed soul foolowing things are offered, the purpose of which is also given along for clarity.

 

Gau Bali(offering to cows) and Kak Bali (to crows) is quite popular. Offering to pious crows living in West, North-West, South and South West is offered directions. One who does this do not see the face of Yama. Hence people make such offerings everyday from their on food plates.

 

Those who offer eatables for two dogs(black and mixed colours one), who follow the path taken by Yama, their last journey is without any kind of punishments. 

 

Those who have have enough at hand but still act miserly and do not share with others; those who while eating food do not offer to others who happen to visit just then, they are sinners and go to the lowest of the hells.

 

When we offers shoes and khadaun(wooden sandals) in the last rites, then the departed soul is taken on a fine horse in to the city of Yama, king of death.

 

Offering of Umbrella ensures that the soul will be provided with similar thing while moving after death.

 

Offering of Shivika ensures that one travels on a chariot.

 

One who plants trees for shade by the road sides gets complete shade after departing from his body.

 

One who palnts flower gardens gets to travel on Pushpak Vimaan.

 

One who build tamples and ashrams for sanyasis, enjoy their own houses.

 

One who offers dwelling places to others reamins free of all kinds of diseases and mental anguishes.

 

One who offers a cow to brahmin, walks as if he is going back to his own house.

 

One who offers water to others for washing feet wlaks on the path where there is wnough water for his requirement.

 

One who offers grain, lighted deepak, dwellings, Yamaraj never goes to them.

 

One who offers gold and precious stones crosses all difficult and fearful places and obstructions with ease.

 

Anyone who has made a pond from which cows drink water, brahmins and sadhus use it, and its water reamins throughout the year, such a persons all ancestors are elevated, he never falls in any big problem in his whole life.

 

One, in whose pond water is collected only during rainy season, he is given fruit equal to performing havan every day.

 

One who plants trees in un-inhabited places and difficult terrains, all his ancestors are cleared of all the karmas. He is blessed with male children also. After death he reaches those realms which are permanent. He never falls below heaven.  

 

Offering of grains is considered best. Generally eight things are best offered for mukti of a soul; Grains, Water, Horse, Cow, Clothes, Bed, Umbrella and Asan. Hence everybody should offer them.

 

 

Now coming to the subject matter, as per Kaulavali Nirnaya, 12th Ullas, page 270, different malas have been explained to be used for various goal requirments. Here, one is sharing them with all the readers.

Mala made of  pearls: For kingdom and moksha. Provider of all kinds of sidhis, helpful in controlling even kings.

Crystal or Sfatik Mala:  -------------------Same as above----------------------

Rudraksh  Mala: Gives all the sidhis, moksha and unbroken virility. Also used by Shiavites.

Moonga Mala:  Provider of  wealth and knowledge.

Putrajeev Mala: Provider of knowledge, wealth and male children in very short time, remover of enemies.

Lotus seed mala: Provider of great wealth. also used by Vaishnavas.

 

Red Chandan Mala: Provides control over other(Vashya) and great good fortune, also to appease Bala Sundari.

Mala made of Kusha Granthi(a kind of grass): Cleanse all the sins.

Pravaal Mala: Provider of abundent wealth.

Mala made of conches(Shankh): Provider of all kinds of good fortunes.

Guncha Mala: All kinds of sidhis.

Mala made of wood of Bilva: Desired sidhi.

Mahashankh Mala: for Ugra Tara.

Tulsi Mala: for Vaishnavas.

Mala made of elephant teeth: used by followers of Ganapati.

Mala made out of teeth of a donkey: for killing of enemies.

Mala made out of teeth of a horse: (for string use hair of the sadhya), for Vidveshan.

Shall try to update it further from other scriptures also soon......Om!..Shaktanand.