In Hinduism, Aranyani is a goddess of the forests and the animals that dwell within them. Aranyani has the distinction of having one of the most descriptive hymns in the Rigveda dedicated to her, in which she is described as being elusive, fond of quiet glades in the jungle, and fearless of remote places. In the hymn, the supplicant entreats her to explain how she wanders so far from the fringe of civilization without becoming afraid or lonely. She wears anklets with bells, and though seldom seen, she can be heard by the tinkling of her anklets. She is also described as a dancer. Her ability to feed both man and animals though she 'tills no lands' is what the supplicant finds most marvellous. Her worship has declined in modern-day Hinduism, and it is rare to find a temple dedicated to Aranyani.

This 27 Bead Pocket mala is part of our Earth Collection. This pocket mala is a quarter the size of a traditional 108 Bead Tibetan mala, it contains 27 beads plus 2 marker beads (not to be counted in meditation), and a guru bead and silk tassel. This particular mala is comprised of Aromatic Sandalwood, with African Turquoise marker beads and an Azurite-Malachite guru bead. The tassel is 100% spun silk in variegated shades of green. This pocket mala has been hand-knotted with brown color Nylon thread for its strength and durability, especially important when working with natural stones, as their hard edges can sometimes rub against and weaken other threads such as cotton or silk. All of our malas are hand-knotted between each bead, which protects your beads should the mala ever break. It also helps alleviate potential damage caused by beads rubbing against each other.

This design features a scaled version of the same pattern used in our traditional tibetan full size malas, but is broken into three sections of 9 instead of four sections of 27. It is also available in a beautiful Triratna pattern emphasizing groupings of three (Please note that the Triratna pattern has marker beads between each set of 3, to be counted in meditation, and therefore does not feature extra uncounted marker beads). In addition to the sacred symbolism of the number 108 (and therefore the number 27), the number 3 is sacred in Buddhism as well. In Buddhism, the number 3 can be seen to represent the Three Jewels (the Triratna) that make up Buddhism. These are: The Buddha, The Dharma (The body of teachings that describe Buddhist doctrine and belief), and The Sangha (The group of people who follow the Buddha and his teachings).

If you are looking for a matching bracelet to wear without a tassel, please see the link below for our Intention Bracelets!

Note: This Pocket Mala is available with either 6mm or 8mm beads. Some people choose to use them as travel size meditation malas at a compact quarter size of a full 108 beads, while other people prefer to wear them on their wrist to benefit from the metaphysical properties alone. Please keep in mind that because the thread is not elastic, this mala is not adjustable. Therefore, it may or may not fit over your fist to slide onto your wrist. Sizes are as follows:

6mm - 6.25" (inside circumference) - 7.5" (full length including tassel)
8mm - 9" (inside circumference) - 10.25" (full length including tassel)

Please note that due to the unique, hand-knotted nature of our jewelry, sizes may vary slightly from one piece to another. Please specify bead size and pattern preference (Standard or Triratna) during checkout.

Aromatic Sandalwood

Sandalwood is a sacred wood with a lovely aromatic scent. Grown in Asia and East India, Sandalwood was originally used at funeral ceremonies, its scent believed to the soul into the next life. The aroma — which retains its fragrance for decades — comes from the wood itself rather than the leaves or flowers. The warm soothing scent of sandalwood helps the mind to unwind and helps open the heart to love. In ancient Buddhist tradition, Sandalwood has been celebrated as the perfect meditation tool for thousands of years. It is widely believed that the sandalwood scent can stimulate sensuality, grant a sense of awareness, invoke tranquility, awaken the divine thoughts within and promote profound relaxation. Sandalwood is believed to enhance trust and self-identity. In the Ayurvedic healing tradition, it promotes energy and enthusiasm; increasing a person's self-esteem and zest for life. You can use the healing aroma of sandalwood to promote feelings of peace and serenity and also to ease various ailments of the digestive system. It subdues aggression and irritability, promotes compassion and openness and enhances meditation.

African Turquoise

Though it might sound like a form of turquoise, African Turquoise is its own unique stone. A teal, speckled form of jasper, African Turquoise offers quite different qualities and energies. Considered the stone of evolution, African Turquoise brings about great change and transformation within life. Its encouraging energy opens minds to the possibility of newness. This stone helps us to see the need for development and metamorphosis, and provides the balance and confidence necessary to further the process of self-development. It will renew your spirit, energy, and path in life. Carry it with you, and you will feel its reassurance as you meet new possibilities. African Turquoise resonates within the Third Eye, leading its bearer to greater wisdom. The stone awakens our spiritual bodies to their intended highest purpose, sharing knowledge of those long past to guide us on during periods of change and growth. It initiates the pathway to a clear, focused mind. Those who seek direction to their highest inner self will benefit from African Turquoise, as it is a crucial tool in the work of broadening and strengthening all bodies while we grow.

Azurite-Malachite

Azurite, named for its deep "azure blue" color, is a copper carbonate mineral found in the upper oxidized portions of copper ore. Azurite is often found in nature mixed with Malachite, another copper carbonate mineral, this one with a bright green color. Malachite personifies the deep healing green of nature and represents the innate beauty of flowers, trees, roots and plants. Together, in polished form, they resemble Mother Earth and carry not only their individual properties, but a powerful blend of healing energies. Azurite-Malachite is an exceptional conductor of energy, bringing a grounded, more integrated process in healing physical dis-ease. The blue ray penetrates and moves energy, calming stress levels within the system while the green ray facilitates a deep healing force. It may also be used to activate the Third Eye in cleansing the subconscious of emotionally charged thoughts or negative feelings, and restoring a higher and clearer mental state. It assists in dissolving egocentric traits, dispelling conceit, arrogance and vanity, and instills a willingness toward flexibility and individuality based on a universal connection to “All.” Azurite-Malachite’s combination of energies is highly conducive to meditation by allowing one to go deep within the self, without fear, in order to be sustained, absolved, and reborn into the light, completely aware of the genesis at all times.

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