When doing mala, you should find a quiet, peaceful spot, ideally in front of your Ghar Mandir (home shrine) with Maharaj's murti in front.

1. Hold it right: Hold the mala in your right hand, resting it gently on your middle finger. You use your thumb to turn each bead. It is important to keep your index finger extended, as it is traditionally kept away from the mala.

2. Swaminarayan Mahamantra: For each bead, you say the name “Swaminarayan”.

3. Use a gaumukhi: We often perform mala inside a cloth bag called a gaumukhi to keep it clean and show respect.

4. Don't cross over: When you reach the meru (head bead), you must not cross over it. Instead, you simply turn the mala around and continue your chant in the opposite direction.

The most important rule is to concentrate on Maharaj’s murti and visualize Maharaj while giving your full concentration to each bead turn. Remember, devotion is not a race; the goal isn't speed, but becoming enriched by chanting the "Swaminarayan" name with a focused mind.

Guruji keeps His mala as a highly prized possession, having been gifted to Him by Gurudev Bapji. He often spoke about the deep, unique connection he shares with his mala, stating that He cannot survive without it and the mala cannot survive without Him, noting that it always finds a way back to Him. This special relationship is highlighted through stories where the mala was lost but eventually found its way back.

Guruji, along with sants and devotees, was on a flight for vicharan(a spiritual travel). Upon landing at the airport, Guruji exited the plane and was walking towards the airport exit when He realized that He did not have His mala. He asked the accompanying sants to check the baggage, but they could not find the mala anywhere. He got worried because it was the prasadi ni mala(blessed rosary) given by Gurudev Bapji.

However, after a few minutes of searching, one flight attendant came running from behind, "Swami! Swami!"

Out of breath, he came to Guruji and said, "Swami, I found this in your seat when cleaning the plane, but you had left by then. So I came looking for you, and finally I found you!" Saying this, he offered the mala to Guruji.

Guruji got very pleased with him, blessed him, and said, "You have gone out of your way to make sure this mala finds its way to its owner. Now, it is our (Maharaj and Motapurush) responsibility to make sure that you do not have to take another birth to attain salvation."

Hearing these blessings, the flight attendant felt very joyful and peaceful. He respectfully bowed to Guruji and went back to his job.