The Significance of the number 108

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product of a precise mathematical operation (e.g. 1 power 1 x 2 power 2 x 3

power 3 = 108) which was thought to have special numerological significance.

Powers of 1, 2, and 3 in math: 1 to 1st power=1; 2 to 2nd power=4 (2x2); 3 to

3rd power=27 (3x3x3). 1x4x27=108 Sanskrit alphabet: There are 54 letters in

the Sanskrit alphabet. Each has masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti. 54

times 2 is 108. Sri Yantra: On the Sri Yantra there are marmas where three

lines intersect, and there are 54 such intersections. Each intersections has

masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti qualities. 54 x 2 equals 108. Thus,

there are 108 points that define the Sri Yantra as well as the human body. 9

times 12: Both of these numbers have been said to have spiritual significance

in many traditions. 9 times 12 is 108. Also,

1 plus 8 equals 9. That 9 times 12 equals 108. Heart Chakra: The chakras are

the intersections of energy lines, and there are said to be a total of 108

energy lines converging to form the heart chakra. One of them, sushumna leads

to the crown chakra, and is said to be the path to Self-realization. Marmas:

Marmas or marmastanas are like energy intersections called chakras, except have

fewer energy lines converging to form them. There are said to be 108 marmas in

the subtle body. Time: Some say there are 108 feelings, with 36 related to the

past, 36 related to the present, and 36 related to the future. Astrology: There

are 12 constellations, and 9 arc segments called namshas or chandrakalas. 9

times 12 equals 108. Chandra is moon, and kalas are the divisions within a

whole. Planets and Houses: In astrology, there are 12 houses and 9 planets. 12

times 9 equals 108. Gopis of Krishna: In the Krishna tradition, there were said

to be 108 gopis or maid servants of Krishna. 1, 0, and 8: 1 stands for God or

higher Truth, 0 stands for emptiness or completeness in spiritual practice, and

8 stands for infinity or eternity. Sun and Earth: The diameter of the sun is

108 times the diameter of the Earth. Numerical scale: The 1 of 108, and the 8

of 108, when added together equals 9, which is the number of the numerical

scale, i.e. 1, 2, 3 ... 10, etc., where 0 is not a number. Smaller divisions:

The number 108 is divided, such as in half, third, quarter, or twelfth, so that

some malas have 54, 36, 27, or 9 beads.

Islam: The number 108 is used in Islam to refer to God. Jain: In the Jain

religion, 108 are the combined virtues of five categories of holy ones,

including 12, 8, 36, 25, and 27 virtues respectively. Sikh: The Sikh tradition

has a mala of 108 knots tied in a string of wool, rather than beads. Chinese:

The Chinese Buddhists and Taoists use a 108 bead mala, which is called su-chu,

and has three dividing beads, so the mala is divided into three parts of 36

each. Stages of the soul: Said that Atman, the human soul or center goes

through 108 stages on the journey. Meru: This is a larger bead, not part of

the 108. It is not tied in the sequence of the other beads. It is the guiding

bead, the one that marks the

beginning and end of the mala. Dance: There are 108 forms of dance in the

Indian traditions. Pythagorean: The nine is the limit of all numbers, all

others existing and coming from the same. ie: 0 to 9 is all one needs to make

up an infinite amount of numbers. We have listed below 108 Upanishads as per

the list contained in the Muktikopanishad . We have arranged them in four

categories according to the particular Veda to which each of them belong.

Rigveda(10): Aitareya , Atmabodha, Kaushitaki, Mudgala, Nirvana, Nadabindu,

Akshamaya, Tripura, Bahvruka, Saubhagyalakshmi. Yajurveda(50): Katha,

Taittiriya , Isavasya , Brihadaranyaka, Akshi, Ekakshara, Garbha, Prnagnihotra,

Svetasvatara, Sariraka, Sukarahasya, Skanda, Sarvasara, Adhyatma, Niralamba,

Paingala,

Mantrika, Muktika, Subala, Avadhuta, Katharudra, Brahma, Jabala, Turiyatita,

Paramahamsa, Bhikshuka, Yajnavalkya, Satyayani, Amrtanada, Amrtabindu,

Kshurika, Tejobindu, Dhyanabindu, Brahmavidya, YogakundalinI, Yogatattva,

Yogasikha, Varaha, Advayataraka, Trisikhibrahmana, mandalabrahmana, Hamsa,

Kalisantaraaa, Narayana, Tarasara, Kalagnirudra, Dakshinamurti, Pancabrahma,

Rudrahrdaya, SarasvatIrahasya. SamaVeda(16): Kena, Chandogya, Mahat,

Maitrayani, Vajrasuci, Savitri, Aruneya, Kundika, Maitreyi, Samnyasa,

Jabaladarsana, Yogacudaman, Avyakta, Vasudevai, Jabali, Rudrakshajabala.

Atharvaveda(32): Prasna , Mandukya, Mundaka, Atma, Surya, Narada-Parivrajakas,

Parabrahma, Paramahamsa-Parivrajakas, Pasupatha-Brahma, Mahavakya, Sandilya,

Krishna, Garuda, Gopalatapani, Tripadavibhuti-mahnarayana, Dattatreya,

Kaivalya, NrsimhatapanI, Ramatapani, Ramarahasya, HayagrIva, Atharvasikha,

Atharvasira,

Ganapati, Brhajjabala, Bhasmajabala, Sarabha, Annapurna, TripuratapanI, Devi,

Bhavana, SIta. The Significance of the number 108 We must agree that all

measuring systems are merely reference frames. They give us a starting point.

It doesn’t really matter if you call them Fahrenheit's or cycles. All science

is based on fundamental assumptions of the mechanics of this universe. Yet,

these assumptions, if correct, connect like building blocks. Much in the same

way, the number ‘108’ is just a reference frame. It is symbolic of a bigger

picture: that of humility. When devotees recite 108 Hanuman Chalisas, in their

minds they believe, they are proving their love for God, and that there is in

fact a need to prove their love. When devotees assign a 108 names to Shri

Ganesh, they are once again gauging their devotion through numbers. This, of

course, may be considered unreasonable, since it suggests that 108 chants are

more effective than 109 chants. How do they know this? Have they proved it? Is

108 the magic number of the universe? No, it is not! It is a reference frame.

What is important is that a system is imposed to guide us through the

fundamental struggles encountered in any evolutional process. Otherwise, chaos

and anarchy follow and nothing gets done. Having said that, I will show you

justifications from a few subcultures in India. Obviously, I consider the Vedic

rationale to be the most consistent with the fundamental laws of this universe.

The others have borrowed and built, but it still smells of Vedic beginnings.

In present times, we can find many rationales for the proliferation of ‘108’

throughout our scriptures. In fact, this number seems

to garner its unfair share of attention from myriad cults and faith systems

around the world. I will give you a few justifications that have been brought

to my attention. JYOTISH SHASTRA {VEDIC SYSTEM} This universe was created by

the five elements: space, air, fire, water and earth. From these elements came

the three attributes: Raj {birth}, Sat {protection} and Tam {destruction or

death.} The mathematical or geographical evidence proves that one circle has

360 degrees in space. Why is this circle or wheel of life considered to be of

360 degrees only? If we take a circle and start dividing it using the four

elements and three attributes, all the logic can be observed. The circle

itself, is considered the first element of space, since we must consume space

in drawing a circle. In this space {or circle}, the four remaining elements and

three

attributes create the idea of time. The circle is divisible by the product of

four elements multiplied by three attributes. This involves the belief that the

three attributes exist in the circle. By moving three times, each element

completes its revolution. So now we have the number 12 {3 x 4}. This division

gave birth to our 12 months, and also to the 12 horas {1/2 of the day or

Ahoratri}. We now have 360 degrees as well as 12 divisions. We can now further

divide the wheel of time: there are 27 fixed stars (nakshatras) along with

three attributes that divide the time in smaller portions. So this 27 + 3 = 30

is interpreted as 30 degrees or days of one part of the wheel (circle) or

month. All of this is only half of a day. The night is yet unaccounted for.

Therefore, we multiply these 30 degrees by 2. This gives us our reference of 60

seconds in a minute. Thus the 360º x 30º = 10,800. Zero {0}

is considered ‘Purna’ or complete. So we take out the last zeros and are left

with 108. The idea of our total universe is represented by this number of 108.

Offering 108, devotees believe that they are showing ultimate or complete

respect to the Supreme. There are many other justifications but all can be

traced back to this system. A few are explained below: SHOSHU BUDDHIST

Followers use 108 beads in their malas. They implement the following formula: 6

x 3 x 2 x3 = 108 6 senses [sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, thought] 3 aspects

of time [past, present, future] 2 condition of heart [pure or impure] 3

possibilities of sentiment [like, dislike, indifference] BUDDHA’S FOOTPRINT

All Buddhists accept the Buddha Footprint with its 108 Auspicious

Illustrations. These areas are considered to have been marked on the Buddha’s

left foot when his body was discovered. BUDDHISM 108 beads on the Hindu maalaa

{rosary} 108 Arhats or Holy Ones HINDUISM 108 Gopis {consorts} of Lord Krishna

108 Holy places for Vaishnavas 108 beads on the Japa maalaa {rosary} 108

Upanishads 108 Divyadeshes - Divine or Sacred Tirtha throughout India and

Nepal 108 sacred water taps in Muktinath - Nepal TANTRA SHASTRA 108 Pitha

{Sacred Places} The story goes that Lord Shiva was in deep and incessant

meditation. His asceticism was creating great heat in the universe. All

existence was in peril and Lord Brahma was deeply concerned. Lord Brahma asked

the Mother of the Universe, Maa Shakti, to use Her strength and wile to seduce

Lord Shiva. Maa Shakti agreed and was born as Sati, daughter of Shri Daksha.

Lord Shiva was so entranced by Sati’s asceticism and

extraordinary beauty that he took human form and they were married. Years later,

at a feast, Sati’s father insulted Lord Shiva. Sati was so humiliated that she

began a deep meditation which led to her immolation. Lord Shiva was completely

heart broken. He reached into the sacrificial fire and pulled out as much of

His beloved’s body as he could grab. As He ascended to heaven, bits of Sati’s

body fell to earth. 108 bits to be precise! In time, these places were

acknowledged and worshipped. SANATANA DHARMA In a book by Khurana, the

explanation closely mirrors the original Vedic justifications: A circle has 360

degrees, which when multiplied by 60 gives us 21,600 minutes in a circle. 60

comes from the 60 'ghatis' which Sanatana Dharmiks believe in. One ghati is

equal to 24 minutes and 60 ghatis come to 24 hours. One ghati is divided into

60 parts or 'palas'. So the 60 ghatis

multiplied by 60 palasa comes to 3,600. This is further multiplied by 60

(because a pala contains 60 vipalas) which gives us 21,600. Half of this is for

the day, and the other half for the night. So, 21,600 divided by 2 gives us

10,800. For practical purposes, we use 108. Using the number 108 helps us

coordinate the rhythm of time and space & we remain in harmony with the

spiritual powers of nature. online source:

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