Tulsi Mala Beads The Tulsi Mala is made from the wood or the seeds of the Tulsi plant. Tulsi (Holy Basil) is considered to be one of most sacred plants in Indian worship. Hindus view Tulsi as a goddess (a manifestation of Lakshmi) in the form of a plant bestowed with great spiritual and healing powers. Mala is a Sanskrit word meaning "garland" or "impurity." It is also the term for a string of beads that has been used by sages and those with spiritual aspirations for thousands of years. Yogis and Buddhists were the first to use mala to enhance their spiritual practices.