Recommended Resources
Everything listed here is something we’d recommend to a friend — mala beads for japa practice, foundational texts worth reading, and tools for building a daily practice. Links go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, Project Bhakti earns a small commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Mala Beads
A mala is a string of 108 beads used for japa — repeating a mantra with each bead. Different materials carry different traditional associations.
Rudraksha Mala
The most traditional mala for Shiva and Shaiva mantras. Rudraksha seeds are considered sacred in the Shaiva tradition.
Tulsi Mala
Used in the Vaishnava tradition for mantras to Vishnu, Krishna, and Rama. Tulsi (holy basil) is considered deeply auspicious.
Lotus Seed Mala
Associated with Lakshmi and Saraswati. Lotus seeds symbolize purity and spiritual unfolding.
Crystal Quartz Mala
Clear quartz amplifies intention and is used across traditions. A versatile choice for any mantra practice.
Rose Quartz Mala
Used in practices related to Lakshmi, Parvati, and Radha — the goddesses of love and devotion.
Sandalwood Mala
Sandalwood is cooling, fragrant, and traditionally associated with purity. Widely used across Hindu and Buddhist practice.
Books & Texts
These are the source texts and commentaries that underpin most of what is written on this site.
The Bhagavad Gita
The essential text of Hindu philosophy. If you read one book, read this one. The Eknath Easwaran translation is widely considered the most accessible.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
The foundational text of classical yoga philosophy. The Edwin Bryant translation includes extensive commentary and is the scholarly standard.
The Ramayana
The story of Rama, Sita, and Hanuman — one of the two great epics of Hindu literature.
The Mahabharata
The epic that contains the Bhagavad Gita. The Ramesh Menon abridgement makes the full story readable.
Devi Mahatmyam
The core text of Shakta tradition — the story of Durga and the divine feminine. Essential reading alongside the Navaratri deity pages.
The Hanuman Chalisa
Tulsidas’s 40-verse devotional hymn to Hanuman — the most widely chanted text in the Hindu world.
Practice Tools
Physical objects that support a daily practice — for the altar, the meditation seat, and the practice room.
Singing Bowl
Used to mark the beginning and end of meditation or mantra sessions. A resonant tone that settles the mind quickly.
Meditation Cushion
A proper cushion makes a significant difference in sitting practice. A zafu raises the hips and keeps the spine naturally upright.
Incense — Nag Champa
The most widely used incense in yoga and devotional practice. The Satya brand original is the standard.
Altar Cloth
A simple cloth defines the altar space. Deep reds, saffrons, and golds are traditional colors.
Ghee Lamp / Diya
Oil lamps are lit at the start of puja. Brass diyas are traditional; ghee or sesame oil is used as fuel.
Yoga Mat — Manduka PRO
For asana and pranayama practice. The Manduka Pro is the premium standard and lasts decades.
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