Significance of 108 in Hinduism

108 is considered highly auspicious in Hinduism. The significance of the mathematical number 108 in Hinduism is very high from spiritual, mathematical, astrological & practical perspectives. Given below are some of the relevances & connections of the number 108 to the activities & events happening in our day to day lives. Read on to find out how…

Hinduism, Vedas, Astrology, Mantra Chanting & 108

According to Vedic astrology there are 9 planets & 12 houses in the birth chart. 9 multiplied by 12 = 108. In Vedic astrology there are 27 Nakshatras(constellations) & each one has 4 padas/charanas(directions). 27×4 = 108 which encompasses the entire galaxy.

The mala(Vedic rosary) which Hindus use for chanting has 108 beads. So, people count the chanting of mantras in terms of malas ie someone might be doing 1, 3, 5 or 11 round chanting of mala daily depending on the time they can dedicate. But chanting mantras in multiples of 108 has great significance as it pacifies the 9 planets placed in the 12 houses. More is the number of rounds of chanting done with a mala, more are the positive results in life intensified.

Relation between 108, the Sun & the Earth

The study of the cosmos by the Vedas done at that time says that the diameter of the sun is approximately 108 times that of the earth. That’s quite cool, is it not? I mean studies of the cosmos done at a time many thousands of years ago when the equipments which we consider scientific were not invented. The studies were done by chanting mantras & transcending into a deep meditative state. Quite remarkable!

Discoveries so precise with pin point accuracy that they can surprise anyone who understands how difficult it is to calculate the size of & distance between the heavenly bodies(planets, their satellites, sun & the stars).

Distance between Sun, Earth, Moon measured in terms of diameters

1. 108 multiplied by diameter of the sun = distance between the earth & the sun.
2. 108 multiplied by diameter of the moon = distance between the earth & the moon.

Sanskrit, Shiv, Shakti, Shiv Tandav & 108

In Sanskrit there are total 54 letters. There is a masculine(Shiva) & feminine(Shakti) quality or aspect attached to every Sanskrit letter. And 54×2 = 108.

The Shiv Puran has documented that there are in total 108 postures in the Shiv Tandav ie the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva[108 karanas in Tandav(cosmic dance) as in Yog, Vedic Martial arts(Kung Fu, Dhanur vidya & Kalarayipattu)]

Shri Yantra & 108

The Shri Yantra is considered to be a source of positivity, creativity & abundance. It is made up of marmas or nodes which are intersections of 3 lines. The Shri Yantra has 54 such intersections. Each intersection has 2(a masculine consciousness & feminine matter) qualities. Again, 54×2 = 108.

Maths students know that every angle of a pentagon measures 108 degrees. And Shri Yantra has 54 pentagons.

Sanatan scriptures, Hindu Gods & Life

The Shrimad Bhagvat Katha has 108000 shlokas(verses). There are, in total 108 ancient scriptures known as the Upanishads. There are 108 Sacred sites or peeths spread all over the Indian regions. There are 108 main Shivganas or attendants of Lord Shiva.

Amongst the Vaishnavas ie devotees of Lord Vishnu, there are in total 108 ‘divya desams’ or energised temples of Lord Vishnu. The Sudarshan Chakra or the spinning disc weapon of Lord Vishnu has 108 serrated edges.

A normal human being takes around 21600 breaths in a day(approximately 15 breaths in a minute). Of these 10800 breaths are used to absorb solar energy & the remaining 10800 breaths are used to absorb the lunar energy. The soul or the human consciousness(atma) has to pass through 108 stages in its journey, post death according to the scriptures of Hinduism(the Sanatan Dharma)

Significance of 108 & the River Ganga.

The Latitude & Longitude of the river Ganga add up to 108. The river Ganga flows in India(now India & Bangladesh after partition since 1947/1971). Check the latitude & longitude at various places for eg:-

1. Upper Ganga Basin: Latitude range {30° 38’ to 31° 24’ N} & longitude range {78° 29’ to 79° 22’ E}.
2. Varanasi City: Latitude range {25° 14’ to 25° 23.5’ N} & longitude range {82° 56’ to 83° 03’ E}. One can check at any specific location, the latitude & longitude of the river Ganga add up to 108.

The above were some of the numerous reasons which underline the fact how immersive & exhaustive is the presence of 108 in the life of the Hindus.

Thus the mathematical figure 108 has got a massive significance in Hinduism ie the Sanatan Dharm.

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