Before someone embarks on the Sabarimala pilgrimage, they wear the mala dharana, marking the beginning of an auspicious vrata (spiritual discipline). This vrata includes practices such as taking baths twice daily, walking barefoot, singing devotional songs, performing puja twice a day, and strictly following the principles of brahmacharya. The goal of this discipline is to purify both the body and mind.
But what is the purpose of wearing the mala? Couldn’t someone follow all these practices without wearing it?
The Significance of the Mala
Kartika 1 is considered an auspicious day to commence the vrata. However, due to work commitments, some devotees start the vrata without wearing the mala and only don it closer to their pilgrimage. Does this difference in approach matter?
As our society evolved and moved away from villages under the guise of development, we began to drift from the natural and ancestral paths. The mala, in my personal experience, holds a profound spiritual significance.
When a devotee receives an energized mala, it activates the higher chakras—Heart, Throat, Ajna, and beyond—helping to uplift one’s consciousness. Wearing the mala serves as a constant reminder of the spiritual path, naturally guiding one towards positive thoughts and higher awareness. Through daily puja and affirmations like “We are That”, we draw closer to the divine. This inner transformation enables us to achieve higher goals, take on leadership, and contribute meaningfully.
Additionally, the mala acts as a visible symbol, reminding both the wearer and those around them of their sacred journey, encouraging emotional restraint and mindfulness.
Sustaining Awareness Post-Pilgrimage
Often, after returning from the pilgrimage, devotees feel their purpose is complete and gradually slip back into lower levels of consciousness. The key is to sustain the awareness cultivated during the vrata and continue striving for spiritual growth.
Drawing a Parallel: The Mangalsutra
I couldn’t help but draw a parallel between the mala and the mangalsutra worn by women in our tradition. Both symbolize a commitment—one to the divine and the other to marital union.
The mangalsutra, with its gold locket resting near the heart, helps maintain higher awareness, fostering motherly love and nurturing energy. It is a sacred symbol of the vows taken by a couple during the auspicious fire ceremony, reminding them of the purpose of their union.
However, as modern perspectives evolve, some see the mangalsutra merely as a custom, wearing it only on special occasions or even questioning its relevance. A Tamil movie from the early 2000s casually depicted the removal of the mangalsutra, subtly challenging its significance.
Yet, I believe the mangalsutra holds mystical and medical benefits, especially in its gold composition and shape. Women, as the architects of family happiness, profoundly influence the harmony of the world.
For a deeper reflection on this, I invite you to read my blog: The Happiness of the World Lies in the Hands of Women.
