Japa Mala - Keeping inside cotton bag

[Guest guest]

Swamiji,

 

Pranam. I have been thinking of asking you this question for a long time

now. Some how never got round to it.

 

I see most people keeping their Japa Malas inside a cotton bag while

chanting the Mantra. This is what is stated in a web site and also in

some of the books on Mantra/Tantra.

 

<<The Mala should always be kept inside a cotton bag (Gomukhi) and

during counting the beads, the hand should be within the Gomukhi.>>

 

I have never used a bag. When I do my daily rounds of Japa in the

temple, everyone looks at me curiously since I do not use the bag. Some

of the kindly souls have also told me that I should use a bag. I tell

them that my Samparadhaya does not use a bag. No such problem at home,

though my wife uses a bag.

 

So the question is To Bag or not to Bag?

 

Jai MAA!!!