राधा राधा
Radha Naam
Rādhā Rādhā
The name of Shri Radha, chanted by many devotees of Vrindavan.
108 a mala1,008 a day
Count this
Hindu practice
The sacred science of sound and sankalp
From Vedic chant to the quiet rhythm of the japa mala, counted repetition of a mantra has steadied the mind for thousands of years. PrayerCount keeps the count, so you can stay with the mantra.
108 beads in a mala1.25 lakh classic sankalp16 rounds of the maha mantra
Also on PrayerCount
Mantras
Choose what to count
Each one opens the counter with it already selected.
राम राम
Ram Naam
Rām Rām
The name of Shri Ram, one of the most widely chanted names.
108 a mala1,008 a day
Count thisहरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे
Hare Krishna Maha Mantra
Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Sixteen words, chanted in full on each bead.
16 rounds a day1,728 a day
Count thisॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
Om Namaḥ Śivāya
The five-syllable mantra of Shiva.
108 a malaShravan sankalp
Count thisॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः
Gayatri Mantra
Om Bhūr Bhuvaḥ Svaḥ
Chanted at sunrise and sunset by many families.
108 a mala24,000 sankalp
Count thisॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
Om Tryambakaṁ Yajāmahe
A mantra to Shiva, often taken up for a family member's health.
108 a mala1.25 lakh sankalp
Count thisHistory
How jap has been practised
- Vedic period
Sacred sound
In the Vedic tradition, speech (vak) itself was sacred, and hymns such as the Gayatri Mantra were chanted with exact meter. Counting on the finger segments with the thumb, called kar mala, is an old practice still taught today.
- Yoga Sutras
Repetition with meaning
Patanjali's Yoga Sutras describe repeating Om while reflecting on its meaning (1.27–28), and name svadhyaya, mantra repetition and self-study, as a core discipline.
- Puranas and later texts
Three ways of japa
Later texts describe japa that is spoken (vachika), whispered (upamshu) or silent (manasika), and praise silent japa most highly. Over time the 108-bead mala became standard, along with vows called anushthan or purashcharan to complete a set count in a set time.
- Bhakti saints
The name for everyone
Poet-saints across India taught that loving repetition of the divine name, nama japa, is open to everyone in this age. Many also practised likhita japa, writing a name thousands of times in a notebook.
Mala and counting
The mala, and why we count
27Pada 127Pada 227Pada 327Pada 4
27 nakshatras × 4 padas = 108 beads of the japa mala
108 beads
One traditional explanation of 108 is the 27 nakshatras (lunar mansions) multiplied by their 4 padas: 27 × 4 = 108.
The sumeru bead
The larger 109th bead is not crossed. At the end of a round, the mala is turned and counting begins again, a small pause of gratitude to the guru and the divine.
Mala materials
Rudraksha is traditional for Shiva and Shakti mantras, tulsi for Vishnu, Ram and Krishna, sphatik (clear quartz) for a calm mind, and lotus seed for Lakshmi.
1.25 lakh sankalp
A traditional purashcharan is 1,25,000 repetitions of one mantra, followed by havan of one tenth of the count (dashamsh). Ask your guru or priest for the full method.
Sacred text
Featured text: the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra and the Gayatri Mantra
No ads are ever shown beside this text
हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे ।
Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे ॥
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः । तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं
Om bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ, tat savitur vareṇyaṁ
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि । धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
bhargo devasya dhīmahi, dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt
How people count them
- The maha mantra is chanted in full on each bead. Many devotees complete 16 rounds of 108 every day.
- The Gayatri Mantra is often chanted 108 times at sunrise or sunset. A 24,000 jap sankalp is a common vow.
- PrayerCount alerts you at the end of every round, so you can keep your eyes closed.
Preview text. Before launch, every line will be checked by a Sanskrit scholar.
Practice
Practices and occasions
How PrayerCount fits the way you already practise.
ॐ
Daily naam jap
A few malas every morning or evening. Set a daily goal and keep your streak.
Daily goal · streak11
Ekadashi
Many devotees chant extra rounds on Ekadashi, twice a month.
Set a higher target for the day9
Navratri
Nine nights of Devi jap. Families often take a group sankalp together.
Group jap · 9-day pack☾
Shravan
A month of Om Namah Shivaya and Mahamrityunjaya jap.
30-day sankalp✦
Kartik
The holy month around Diwali, a popular time for Radha and Krishna naam.
Monthly goal1.25L
Sankalp
A vow such as 1,25,000 jap of one mantra in 40 days.
Sankalp trackerHow many times should I chant?
There is no single rule. Many people start with one mala of 108 a day and increase slowly. Follow your guru or family tradition if you have one.
Can I count the Hare Krishna maha mantra?
Yes. Each tap counts one full maha mantra. Set the target to 16 rounds and PrayerCount tells you when each round of 108 is complete.
Is there a Hanuman Chalisa counter?
Yes, a Hanuman Chalisa path counter with the full text in large print is coming, with a +1 path button at the end of the last doha.
Can I chant my gurumantra privately?
Yes. Choose "My mantra" and the text never appears on screen.
Other traditions
Also on PrayerCount
Begin today's jap
Open the counter, choose Radha Naam and start your first round. Add PrayerCount to your home screen to keep it one tap away.