Tulsi Mala; Benefits, rules, and all you need to know

One of the most common things that one can spot in the neck or hands of a person who follows the Vaishnava tradition is the Tulsi mala. It is a sacred garland from the Tulsi plant, the roots, leaves, twigs, and more, and is worn either around the neck or used as a rosary to do chantings.
In Hindu tradition, Tulsi is not just a plant but a Goddess who ensures peace, prosperity, good health, and more in the lives of the people who nourish her.

In the Vaishnav sect, the Tulsi mala is used to form a connection with Lord Krishna and chant his name. The followers of Krishna, and Lord Vishnu, use the Tulsi mala to strengthen their connection with the Divine powers, put their minds and bodies to rest, and bring in good fortune with respect to divine and spiritual progress.

Many devotees wear a Tulsi mala around the neck as a sacred ornament. To them, the mala is not just an accessory but also a symbol of their spiritual discipline, purity, and their surrender to Shri Krishna. It shows the complete devotion to Lord Krishna and Vishnu, protects them from negative energies and disturbances in their spiritual journey, and the sacred energy and vibrations of the Mala protect and purify their mind and body.

A Tulsi mala is also used as a jaap mala for chanting mantras. As the rosary has 108 beads, plus a ‘guru’ bead, it becomes a connection to the divine, and the sacred number of 108 has several connotations in Hindu beliefs.
Chanting on 108 Tulsi beads is believed to increase and improve their devotion to the divine and helps them concentrate on the chanting. It is also believed to absorb the power of the mantras that are chanted, and the jaap of ‘Hare Krishna, Hare Ram’ helps people center their mind to the energies of the divine.

While most people say that the Tulsi mala needs no ‘purification or energising’ as it is extremely pure and pious in nature already, some people prefer activating its energy.
It is believed that washing the Tulsi mala with Gangajal and milk cleanses it from any impurities that might have stuck to it and helps in energising it. Post that, they keep it in front of the idol or image of Lord Krishna or Lord Vishnu, so it can absorb their energy, and then flowers and Tulsi leaves are offered to the Mala. Plus, they also recite mantras like ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya’ or ‘Om Namah Vasudevaya’.

The Tulsi mala has immense benefits, from spiritual to mental, and some people claim that it has had physical benefits too for them. It helps them strengthen their devotion and connection with Lord Krishna, purifies the mind and consciousness, and helps in meditation and chanting.
When you move the beads of the mala in your fingers, your subconscious keeps you grounded and focused on the mantra chanting. People also say that Tulsi mala has natural healing properties and helps improves respiratory health.

Every person who wears the Tulsi mala has to follow certain rules and regulations all their life, after wearing it or being initiated into it. The most common and important rule in it is to avoid any forms of Tamsic foods, especially the ones that are considered impure in nature.
People who wear a Tulsi mala are told to avoid eating non-vegetarian food, garlic, and onion, and avoid any foods that have a high energy to them.

Doing ill towards their fellow man and talking badly about anyone is also restricted for people who wear a Tulsi mala. They are told to not engage in petty gossip, lying, using abusive language, watching things that are considered impure, and they are also not supposed to lie to their fellows.