Kanthi mala

A kanthi mala, or simply kanthi (Sanskrit: कण्ठी, kaṇṭhī, lit. "necklace"), is a necklace made of beads from the tulasi (basil) plant^[1], threaded on a string worn, and worn by some adherents of Hinduism.^{[citation needed]}

Vaishnavism

Followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism wear kanthi malas made of Ocimum tenuiflorum (known in Hinduism as tulasi).^[2] Most Vaishnavas of this sect are given their kanthi by their guru at the time of diksha, or spiritual initiation.^{[citation needed]}

It is said Krishna – who is revered as Svayam Bhagavan, or the "Self-Existent Lord," in Gaudiya Vaishnavism – was very fond of tulasi, and as such the plant is worshipped as "Tulasi devi" by followers of Krishna.^[2] Tulasi devi is considered to be "one of Krishna's most intimate servants"^[3] and provide protection to his devotees, and as such, Gaudiya Vaishnavas try to avoid removing their tulasi kanthis under any circumstances.

Shaivism

Shaivites wear a kanthi made of rudraksha.^[2] The name "rudraksha" is derived from the Sanskrit rudrākṣa, meaning "Eye of Rudra".^[4]

Other traditions

Kanthi malas are also worn by followers of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya and the Kabir panth. Swaminarayan instructed his followers to wear a double-stranded kanthi made of tulasi, symbolising Radha–Krishna, while Kabir instructed his disciples to wear triple-stranded kanthis – symbolising the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva – with one large bead made from either tulasi or rudraksha for Satya Purusha, the "supreme lord who dwells within, who is above all else."^[5]

References

^ Chaturvedi, Vinayak (2007). Peasant Pasts: History and Memory in Western India. University of California Press. p. 89. ISBN 978-0-520-25076-5.
^ ^a ^b ^c Simoons, Frederick J. (1998). Plants of life, plants of death. Univ of Wisconsin Press. p. 14. ISBN 9780299159047.
^ devi dasi, Govinda. "Tulasi Devi, Beloved of Krishna". Archived from the original on 2023-11-10. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
^ Subramuniyaswami, Sivaya (1997). Dancing with Siva. USA. p. 799. ISBN 9780945497974.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
^ Behramji Merwanji Malabari; Krishnalal M. Jhaveri; Malabari M. B (1997). Gujarat and the Gujaratis. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 81-206-0651-5. Retrieved May 7, 2009. Page 264

[1] Chaturvedi, Vinayak (2007). Peasant Pasts: History and Memory in Western India. University of California Press. p. 89. ISBN 978-0-520-25076-5.

[z-2] Simoons, Frederick J. (1998). Plants of life, plants of death. Univ of Wisconsin Press. p. 14. ISBN 9780299159047.

[K-3] vi dasi, Govinda. "Tulasi Devi, Beloved of Krishna". Archived from the original on 2023-11-10. Retrieved 2014-02-24.

[4] Subramuniyaswami, Sivaya (1997). Dancing with Siva. USA. p. 799. ISBN 9780945497974.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

[isbn8120606515-5] Behramji Merwanji Malabari; Krishnalal M. Jhaveri; Malabari M. B (1997). Gujarat and the Gujaratis. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 81-206-0651-5. Retrieved May 7, 2009. Page 264

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