Akṣamāla (akshamala) is also known by the name akṣasūtra (akshasutra). It is a garland made of rudrākṣa (rudraksha). When the gods had presented various weapons to goddess Caṇḍikā (Chandika) for slaying the demon Mahiṣāsura (Mahishasura), Prajāpati Dakṣa (Prajapati Daksha) had given her akṣamālā.