Author: ISKCON Original Tulsi Mala Wholesaler and Exporter | originaltulsimala.com
The Spiritual Importance of Keeping a Sakshi Mala – A Devotee’s Witness
In the journey of bhakti (devotion), every small tool or accessory used by a devotee holds immense meaning. One such powerful but often underrated tool is the Sakshi Mala — a spiritual companion that stands not just as a counter, but as a silent witness to your japa practice.
🔎 What Is a Sakshi Mala?
The word Sakshi means witness in Sanskrit. A Sakshi Mala is a smaller mala made of 20 beads) that is not used for chanting but is kept to count the number of rounds you chant on your main japa mala (108 beads).
📿 It is widely used in ISKCON, Gaudiya Vaishnava, and other spiritual traditions that involve daily mantra meditation, such as chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.
🌟 Why Use a Sakshi Mala?
1. ✅ Spiritual Witness to Your Practice
The Sakshi Mala acts as a divine witness to your daily chanting commitment. Every time you complete one round of your main tulsi japa mala, you move one bead on the Sakshi Mala — symbolizing your offering to the Lord.
It’s not about numbers, but about discipline and devotion. The Sakshi Mala silently keeps you accountable.
2. 🧘♂️ Keeps You Focused
When you’re deeply immersed in chanting, stopping to remember how many rounds you’ve done can interrupt your flow. The Sakshi Mala provides a non-intrusive way to track your progress without breaking concentration.
3. 🕉️ Avoids Misuse of Japa Mala
The japa mala is sacred. Many devotees believe it should only be touched when chanting the Holy Name, not for counting. Sakshi Mala lets you count rounds separately, maintaining the sanctity of your japa mala.
4. 📿 Helps in Vow Fulfillment
Many devotees take vows (vrata) to chant a fixed number of rounds daily — 4, 8, 16, or more. Sakshi Mala helps uphold those vows by keeping an honest, visible count.
🙌 How to Use a Sakshi Mala (Step-by-Step)
Place it in front of you during japa.
After each 108-bead round, move one bead of the Sakshi Mala forward.
After completing your set number of rounds, reset the Sakshi Mala for the next session or next day.
🌸 Final Thoughts
The Sakshi Mala is not just for counting — it is for accountability, purity, and sincerity. It becomes a subtle but powerful part of your sadhana (spiritual discipline). Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, using a Sakshi Mala can bring depth, routine, and mindfulness to your japa.
📌 Are You Looking for an Authentic Sakshi Mala? Explore our collection of:
✅ Tulsi Sakshi Malas
✅ Neem and Kadamba wood malas
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Is It Okay to Eat Onion and Garlic with Tulsi Kanthi Mala?
The Tulsi Kanthi Mala, also known as the sacred basil necklace, holds deep spiritual significance in Hinduism—especially for devotees of Lord Vishnu and Krishna. Many people wear this mala to stay spiritually connected, but an important question arises:
Is it okay to eat onion and garlic while wearing Tulsi Kanthi Mala?
In Ayurveda and Hindu philosophy, food is categorized into:
- Sattvic (pure, peaceful)
- Rajasic (stimulating)
- Tamasic (dulling, impure)
Onion and garlic fall under Tamasic foods. They are believed to:
- Increase aggression and restlessness
- Lower spiritual consciousness
- Distract the mind from meditation and bhakti
That’s why many spiritual practitioners avoid them—especially while wearing sacred items like the Tulsi Mala.
What Do Scriptures and Traditions Say?
Devotees in Vaishnav and ISKCON traditions are advised to follow a Sattvic diet—which excludes onion, garlic, and meat. This helps maintain:
- Mental clarity
- Spiritual purity
- Better focus during japa and puja
Hence, eating onion or garlic while wearing Tulsi Kanthi Mala is discouraged in these spiritual traditions.
What If You Can’t Avoid Onion and Garlic?
Let’s be practical. If you are:
- A student
- A working professional
- Living in a mixed-diet household
—then avoiding onion and garlic completely might be difficult. In that case:
- Maintain respect for the Tulsi Mala
- Wear it only after bathing and cleaning
- Try to gradually move toward a sattvic lifestyle if your heart desires it
Tulsi Mala is about devotion, not dogma.
Spiritually, it’s not ideal. But it is not forbidden.
Wearing the mala should inspire growth, not guilt. Start where you are and let your spiritual journey evolve naturally. Many devotees begin wearing the Tulsi Mala and over time develop the strength and desire to adopt a sattvik lifestyle.
जप माला को गोमुखी में रखने का क्या कारण है?
जाप माला को गौमुखी (गोमुखी) में रखने का विशेष कारण आध्यात्मिक, धार्मिक और व्यावहारिक तीनों दृष्टिकोणों से होता है। नीचे इसके मुख्य कारण दिए गए हैं:
🌺 1. शुद्धता और पवित्रता बनाए रखने के लिए
जप माला भगवान के नाम का स्मरण करने का माध्यम होती है। इसे गोमुखी में रखने से यह बाहरी अशुद्धियों से बची रहती है और उसकी पवित्रता बनी रहती है।
🙏 2. दिखावे से बचने के लिए (गोपनीयता)
भगवन्नाम का जाप एक अत्यंत निजी साधना मानी जाती है। गोमुखी के अंदर माला रखकर जाप करने से यह साधना लोगों की नजरों से छिपी रहती है, जिससे अहंकार नहीं आता और भक्ति गोपनीय बनी रहती है।
🕉 3. एकाग्रता बनाए रखने के लिए
गोमुखी में माला रखने से माला बार-बार हाथ से फिसलती नहीं और मन एकाग्र रहता है। इससे जाप की गति भी स्थिर रहती है।
🌸 4. माला का सम्मान बनाए रखने के लिए
तुलसी या रुद्राक्ष की माला को भगवान का स्वरूप माना जाता है। उसे हर जगह खुला रखना या छूना उचित नहीं माना जाता। गोमुखी माला की मर्यादा बनाए रखती है।
🌿 5. परंपरा और गुरु-शिष्य परंपरा का पालन
गोमुखी का प्रयोग वैष्णवों और संतों की परंपरा से चला आ रहा है। यह भक्ति मार्ग में शरणागत भाव और अनुशासन का प्रतीक भी है।
निष्कर्ष:
जैसे हम मंदिर में भगवान को पर्दे के भीतर रखते हैं, वैसे ही माला को गोमुखी में रखना उसकी महिमा, गोपनीयता और मर्यादा को बनाए रखने का प्रतीक है। यह साधना की पवित्रता और भक्त के विनम्र भाव को दर्शाता है।
हमारे पास विविध श्रेणि
यों में सुंदर एवं उत्तम गुणवत्ता वाले जप माला बैग्स (Bead Bags) का विशेष संग्रह उपलब्ध है। ऑनलाइन खरीदारी हेतु कृपया नीचे दिए गए बटन पर क्लिक करें।
Why Participate in Bhog Sewa?
Bhog Sewa is a sacred opportunity to express love and devotion by offering food preparations to the deity. It is a powerful spiritual practice that brings immense blessings and inner satisfaction. Here’s why devotees participate in this divine service:
🙏 1. Receive Divine Blessings
When you offer bhog to the Lord, it is accepted as a gesture of devotion. The Lord accepts it lovingly and returns it as Mahaprasad, full of divine energy and mercy.
🌿 2. Purify the Mind and Heart
According to scriptures, food offered with love becomes spiritually purified (sattvik). Partaking in this service helps cleanse the mind, reduce ego, and foster humility.
💖 3. Strengthen Your Connection with the Lord
Bhog Sewa is an intimate way to serve the Lord personally. Whether you are near or far, it brings your heart closer to Him through loving service (bhakti).
🏡 4. Ideal for Those Far from Braj Dham
Even if you’re not in Vrindavan, Mathura, or Barsana, you can participate in Online Bhog Sewa. You remain connected to the holy dham through seva and receive Mahaprasad at home.
🎁 5. Offer Gratitude or Fulfill a Sankalp
Many devotees offer bhog to express thanks for blessings, seek spiritual progress, or fulfill a sankalp (spiritual vow) for health, success, or peace.
📅 6. Special Occasions & Festive Days
Participating in bhog sewa on birthdays, anniversaries, Ekadashi, Purnima, or Janmashtami multiplies the spiritual benefit and makes the occasion truly auspicious.
🧘♂️ 7. It Is a Part of Bhakti Yoga
Bhog Sewa is one of the nine forms of Navadha Bhakti (devotional service). Serving the Lord through food offering is a recognized path to spiritual liberation (moksha).
Authentic Prasad Bhog Sewa – Directly from Vrindavan & Mathura
We offer original Prasad Bhog Sewa online, sourced directly from the sacred temples of Vrindavan and Mathura. With devotion and purity, we ensure that the holy prasadi reaches your doorstep — wherever you are.
🌸 Our Divine Offerings Include:
Chhappan Bhog Prasadi Sewa – Mathura & Vrindavan
Shri Giriraj Maharaj Temple Prasadi – Govardhan, Mathura
Char Dham Temple Prasad – Vrindavan-Mathura
Krishna Janmabhoomi Janmasthan Mahaprasad
Shri Radhavallabh Lal Ji Temple Prasad – Vrindavan
Banshi Vat Prasadi – Vrindavan (Buy Online)
Shri Radha Rani Temple Prasad – Barsana (Online Delivery)
Shree Dwarikadhish Temple Prasad – Mathura
Shri Radha Raman Mandir Prasad – Vrindavan
Shri Banke Bihari Ji Prasad Seva – Vrindavan
Worldwide delivery available | 🙏 100% Satvik & Authentic
📞 For any queries, please call us at: 9205700981
Importance of Prasad in Hinduism
Prasad (also spelled prasadam) is a Sanskrit word meaning “grace” or “mercy.” In Hinduism, it refers to food and other offerings that are first presented to a deity and then distributed to devotees. Prasad is considered spiritually potent and holds deep religious and cultural significance.
1. Symbol of Divine Blessings
Prasad is not just food; it is seen as the mercy of the Lord. Once it is offered to the deity, it becomes sanctified. Consuming it is believed to purify the mind, body, and soul.
2. Act of Devotion and Surrender
Offering food to God before eating shows devotion and gratitude. It reminds the devotee that everything comes from the divine, and nothing truly belongs to us.
3. Spiritual Transformation
According to scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, food offered with love and devotion becomes transcendental. Eating such food helps cleanse one’s karma and fosters spiritual progress.
4. Unity and Equality
In temples and religious gatherings, prasad is distributed equally to all, regardless of caste, status, or background. It promotes unity, humility, and a sense of community.
5. Expression of Bhakti (Devotion)
Making and offering prasad is a form of seva (service) to the Lord. It is a practical expression of love and devotion and often involves great care, purity, and attention to detail.
6. Cultural Tradition
Prasad is central to many Hindu festivals and rituals (e.g., laddus for Ganesh Chaturthi, charnamrit in temples, or makhan for Krishna Janmashtami). It connects people to tradition, heritage, and shared spiritual experiences.
Conclusion
Prasad is much more than blessed food—it is a sacred connection between the devotee and the divine. It reminds us of God’s mercy, reinforces humility, and strengthens our path of devotion.
श्री प्रेमानंद महाराज जी के शब्दो में राधा नाम महिमा का वर्णन
प्रेमानंद जी महाराज ने “राधा नाम” की महिमा पर गहन रूप से प्रकाश डाला है। उनके अनुसार, राधा नाम का जाप और भक्ति परमात्मा तक पहुँचने का सबसे सरल और प्रभावी मार्ग है।
राधा नाम की महिमा:
1. **दिव्य प्रेम की प्रतीक**: प्रेमानंद जी के अनुसार, राधा प्रेम की पूर्ण और सर्वोच्च प्रतिमूर्ति हैं। राधा नाम का जाप करने से भक्त का हृदय पवित्र होता है और उसमें भगवद्भक्ति की भावना जाग्रत होती है।
2. **कृष्ण तक पहुँचने का मार्ग**: महाराज जी ने बताया कि राधा के बिना कृष्ण का मिलन संभव नहीं है। राधा नाम की साधना और सेवा से भक्त कृष्ण की कृपा प्राप्त कर सकता है, क्योंकि राधा स्वयं प्रेम का शुद्धतम रूप हैं और उनकी सेवा से ही भगवान कृष्ण प्रसन्न होते हैं।
3. **पवित्रता और मोक्ष का साधन**: राधा नाम के स्मरण से आत्मा शुद्ध होती है और मोक्ष की प्राप्ति संभव होती है। प्रेमानंद जी ने कहा कि राधा का नाम लेने से जीव के भीतर की बुराइयाँ और अहंकार समाप्त होते हैं, जिससे वह परमात्मा के निकट पहुँचता है।
4. **राधा नाम का जाप**: प्रेमानंद जी के अनुसार, राधा नाम का निरंतर स्मरण या जाप (नाम सिमरन) करने से मन की शांति और आनंद प्राप्त होता है। यह जाप भक्त को भगवान से जोड़ने का सबसे सरल साधन है।
5. **राधा: आत्मा की परम चेतना**: प्रेमानंद जी मानते थे कि राधा आत्मा की दिव्य चेतना का प्रतीक हैं। राधा नाम का स्मरण आत्मा को जगाकर उसे परमात्मा की ओर ले जाने वाला मार्ग है। भक्त राधा नाम के स्मरण और सेवा के माध्यम से अपनी आत्मा को शुद्ध कर सकता है और ईश्वर से मिलन की ओर अग्रसर हो सकता है।
निष्कर्ष:
प्रेमानंद जी महाराज के अनुसार, “राधा नाम” की महिमा अनंत है। यह नाम न केवल भक्त को ईश्वर के समीप ले जाता है, बल्कि उसके जीवन में प्रेम, शांति, और मोक्ष की प्राप्ति का मार्ग भी प्रशस्त करता है। राधा नाम का जाप और सेवा भक्त को अहंकार मुक्त कर दिव्य प्रेम की ओर अग्रसर करता है।
Why iskcon devotees loves krishna shyama black tulsi ?
ISKCON devotees hold a special reverence for Krishna Shyama (black) Tulsi due to its intimate connection with Lord Krishna, whom they consider the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the object of their devotion. Here are some reasons why ISKCON devotees have a particular affinity for Krishna Shyama Tulsi:
- Association with Lord Krishna: Krishna Shyama Tulsi is intricately linked to Lord Krishna, who is the central figure of worship in ISKCON. Devotees deeply cherish anything connected to Lord Krishna, and Krishna Shyama Tulsi serves as a tangible reminder of their devotion to Him.
- Symbolism: The dark green or black leaves of Krishna Shyama Tulsi symbolize the divine form of Lord Krishna. ISKCON devotees see in the Tulsi plant a reflection of the spiritual beauty and transcendental nature of Lord Krishna, enhancing their worship and meditation on Him.
- Spiritual Significance: Krishna Shyama Tulsi is believed to possess spiritual potency and purity. Devotees use Tulsi leaves and flowers in their worship rituals, considering them sacred offerings to Lord Krishna. The fragrance of Tulsi is thought to be pleasing to Lord Krishna, fostering a deeper spiritual connection.
- Cultural Tradition: Tulsi worship is deeply ingrained in Hindu culture and traditions, particularly within the Vaishnava tradition, to which ISKCON belongs. Krishna Shyama Tulsi holds a prominent place in ISKCON’s spiritual practices, aligning with their devotion to Lord Krishna and adherence to Vaishnava principles.
- Medicinal and Holistic Benefits: In addition to its spiritual significance, Krishna Shyama Tulsi is valued for its medicinal properties. ISKCON devotees often use Tulsi leaves for their health benefits and consume Tulsi tea as part of their holistic lifestyle practices, reflecting their commitment to overall well-being.
- Cultivation and Care: ISKCON devotees often cultivate and care for Krishna Shyama Tulsi plants as an expression of their devotion to Lord Krishna. This act of nurturing the Tulsi plant symbolizes their desire to nurture their spiritual relationship with the divine.
In summary, ISKCON devotees love Krishna Shyama Tulsi because it embodies their devotion to Lord Krishna, symbolizes spiritual purity and transcendence, and plays a central role in their worship rituals and holistic lifestyle practices.
The Spiritual Impact Of “Krishna’s Bhog- Prasadam
Prasad (also spelled as Prasadam) is a sacred offering made to our holy God like Lord Krishna during religious ceremonies and temple visits. It represents divine blessings and grace. When devotees offer food, water, or flowers to the deity, it becomes prasad. Now, you can take
What Is The Importance Of Prashad?
- Divine Connection: Prasad symbolizes our connection with the almighty shrikrishna.
By partaking in it, we receive spiritual energy and blessings. - Equal Blessings: Everyone, regardless of social status or wealth, receives the same prasad. It reminds us that in God’s eyes, we are all equal.
- Sattvik Essence: This Prashad signifies the Lord Krishna’s kindness and favor. It nourishes both body and soul.It is prepared with devotion, love, and purity, making it a conduit for spiritual energy
How to Offer Prashad to Shri Krishna ?
- Cleanliness: Use fresh and clean plate to offer Prashad.
- Ingredients to avoid: Always avoid alcohol, onion, garlic etc around the Prasad plate.
- Mantras: Optionally chant mantras during preparation.
How to Order Shrikrishna Prashad from Originaltulsimala Store:
- Visit our website: https://www.originaltulsimala.com/.
- Navigate to the “Prashad” section.
- Choose your desired Prashad type (e.g., Makhan Mishri, Makhana Paag etc).
- Select the quantity and add to your cart.
- Provide delivery details.
- Complete the secure online payment.
Our team will lovingly pack the prasad and deliver it to your doorstep.
Remember, Originaltulsimala Store’s Prashad isn’t just food offering; it’s a divine blessing. Order yours today and invite Krishna’s grace into your home!
Buy Vrindavan Special Products Online From – originaltulsimala.com
We deal in Vrindavan special products and offer these items to devotees and individuals interested in Krishna consciousness spirituality. We ensure that the offered products are authentic and align with the values and teachings of the tradition. Providing high-quality items that inspire devotion and spiritual connection can be deeply meaningful for those seeking a connection to Lord Krishna and the sacred land of Vrindavan.
We deal in below areas
- Devotional Items: This can include deity paraphernalia such as idols, pictures, and sacred items used in worship and meditation.
- Spiritual Books: Books related to Krishna consciousness philosophy, teachings, and stories from Vrindavan are highly valued. These may include scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita, the Srimad Bhagavatam, and other texts.
- Traditional Clothing: Clothing items such as dhotis, saris, and traditional Indian attire often hold cultural and spiritual significance for devotees.
- Prasad: Sacred food items offered to the deities and then distributed to devotees as a blessing. Prasad from Vrindavan is considered especially auspicious.
- Art and Handicrafts: Vrindavan is known for its rich artistic traditions, including paintings, sculptures, and handicrafts depicting scenes from Krishna’s life and teachings
