Japa mala

[c.smith]

Is it ok to use the same mala for chnats to different deities? I chant to both Ganesha and Lord Shiva. Do I need a seperate mala for each?

[sarabhanga]

Namaste,

Shiva and Ganesha are quite compatible!

[satay]

Just to add to that...It is my understanding that one should not chant the name of hari or maha mantra using rudra mala and one should not chant the name of shiva using the tulsi mala.

[Ramakrishna]

Namaste all,

Just to add to that...It is my understanding that one should not chant the name of hari or maha mantra using rudra mala and one should not chant the name of shiva using the tulsi mala.

I am wondering if anyone else has ever heard of this or if there are any scriptural verses about this? I am curious because I just ordered a rudraksha mala from the Himalayan Academy and I am planning on using it for both Lord Krishna japa and Lord Shiva japa. I know that rudraksha malas are associated with Lord Shiva, but I wasn't aware that there would be potential problems if I used it for Vaishnava mantra japa as well.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Jai Sri Krishna

[Sahasranama]

It's absolutely fine to chant vaishnava mantras with rudrakshas. Rudraksha is a universal mala that can be used for all mantras.

[Ramakrishna]

Namaste Sahasranama,

Thanks for that. I'm really looking forward to the arrival of the mala, as it will be my first. Since I won't be able to have a priest bless it, I'll just recite these mantras: http://www.sharanya.org/articles/mantras/mala.php4

Jai Sri Krishna

[Arjuna]

Is it ok to use the same mala for chnats to different deities? I chant to both Ganesha and Lord Shiva. Do I need a seperate mala for each?

Unless U have exact directions from Ur Guru (and seems U do not), U are free to do as U wish. Moreover, without a diksha any japa is near to useless. Apart from Mahamantras, like Shiva-panchakshari.

Totally agree with Sarabhanga that Shiva and Ganesha vidyas fit well to each other. Rudraksha would be suitable. And generally Shaiva and Vaishnava deities indeed aren't mixed.

[MananAtma]

Namaste,
I use mala made from lotus seeds and chant mantras to Ganesh, Durga, and Shiva. Punditji, the priest at my temple, seemed to think this was okay, and even blessed my mala for me.

Shanti,
Roy

[Arjuna]

Namaste,
I use mala made from lotus seeds and chant mantras to Ganesh, Durga, and Shiva. Punditji, the priest at my temple, seemed to think this was okay, and even blessed my mala for me.

I see no problem in this. Padmabija must be OK. Moreover, Ganapati, Durga & Shiva are "one family" only

[MananAtma]

Forgive my ignorance, but what is "Padmabija"? Did a yahoo search and came up with no useful hits.

Shanti,
Roy