Significance of 108 Japa Malas

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Significance of the Number 108 on Japa

Malas============================================The Indian Subcontinent rosary

or set of mantra counting has 108beads. 108 has been a sacred number in the

Indian Subcontinent for avery long time. This number is explained in many

different ways.The ancient Indians were excellent mathematicians and 108 may be

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

power 3 = 108) which was thought to have specialnumerological

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 is108.Sri Yantra: On the Sri Yantra there are marmas

where three linesintersect, and there are 54 such intersections. Each

intersectionshas masculine

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

points that define the Sri Yantra aswell as the human body.9 times 12: Both of

these numbers have been said to have spiritualsignificance in many traditions.

9 times 12 is 108. Also, 1 plus 8equals 9. That 9 times 12 equals 108.Heart

Chakra: The chakras are the intersections of energy lines, andthere are said to

be a total of 108 energy lines converging to formthe 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

calledchakras, 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

callednamshas or chandrakalas. 9 times 12 equals 108. Chandra is moon, andkalas

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 be108 gopis or maid servants of Krishna.1, 0, and

8: 1 stands for God or higher Truth, 0 stands foremptiness or completeness in

spiritual practice, and 8 stands forinfinity or eternity.Sun and Earth: The

diameter of the sun is 108 times the diameter ofthe Earth.Numerical scale: The

1 of 108, and the 8 of 108, when added togetherequals 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 9beads.Islam: The number 108 is

used in Islam to refer to

God.Jain: In the Jain religion, 108 are the combined virtues of fivecategories

of holy ones, including 12, 8, 36, 25, and 27 virtuesrespectively.Sikh: The

Sikh tradition has a mala of 108 knots tied in a string ofwool, 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 isdivided into three

parts of 36 each.Stages of the soul: Said that Atman, the human soul or center

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

the 108. It is not tied inthe sequence of the other beads. It is the quiding

bead, the onethat 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 othersexisting and coming from the same. ie: 0 to 9 is all one

needs tomake up an infinite amount of

numbers.We have listed below 108 Upanishads as per the list contained in

theMuktikopanishad . We have arranged them in four categories accordingto 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.All measuring systems are merely

reference frames. They give us astarting point. It doesn't really matter if you

call them farenheitsor cycles.All science is based on fundamental assumptions of

the mechanics ofthis universe. Yet, these assumptions, if correct, connect

likebuilding blocks.Much in the same way, the

number `108' is just a reference frame. Itis symbolic of a bigger picture: that

of humility.When devotees recite 108 Hanuman Chalisas, in their minds

theybelieve, they are proving their love for God, and that there is infact a

need to prove their love.When devotees assign a 108 names to Shri Ganesh, they

are once againgauging their devotion through numbers. This, of course, may

beconsidered unreasonable, since it suggests that 108 chants are moreeffective

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 areference frame. What is

important is that a system is imposed toguide us through the fundamental

struggles encountered in anyevolutional process. Otherwise, chaos and anarchy

follow and nothinggets done.Having said that, I will show you justifications

from a fewsubcultures in India. Obviously, I consider the Vedic rationale

tobe the most consistent with the fundamental laws of this universe.The others

have borrowed and built, but it still smells of Vedicbeginnings.In present

times, we can find many rationales for the proliferationof `108' throughout our

scriptures. In fact, this number seems togarner its unfair share of attention

from myriad cults and faithsystems around the world. I will give you a few

justifications thathave 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 has360 degrees in

space. Why is this circle or wheel of life consideredto be of 360 degrees only?

If we take a circle and start dividing itusing the four elements and

three attributes, all the logic can beobserved.The circle itself, is considered

the first element of space, sincewe must consume space in drawing a circle. In

this space {orcircle}, the four remaining elements and three attributes create

theidea of time. The circle is divisible by the product of fourelements

multiplied by three attributes. This involves the beliefthat the three

attributes exist in the circle. By moving threetimes, each element completes

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

toour 12 months, and also to the 12 horas {1/2 of the day orAhoratri}. We now

have 360 degrees as well as 12 divisions. We cannow further divide the wheel of

time: there are 27 fixed stars(nakshatras) along with three attributes that

divide the time insmaller portions. So this 27 + 3 = 30 is interpreted as 30

degreesor days of one part of the wheel (circle) or month. All of this isonly

half of a day. The night is yet unaccounted for. Therefore, wemultiply these 30

degrees by 2. This gives us our reference of 60seconds in a minute.Thus the

360º x 30º = 10,800. Zero {0} is considered `Purna' orcomplete. So we take out

the last zeros and are left with 108. Theidea of our total universe is

represented by this number of 108.Offering 108, devotees believe that they are

showing ultimate orcomplete respect to the Supreme.There are many other

justifications but all can be traced back tothis system. A few are explained

below:SHOSHU BUDDHIST===============Followers use 108 beads in their malas.

They implement the followingformula:6 x 3 x 2 x3 = 1086 senses [sight, sound,

smell, taste, touch, thought]3 aspects of time [past, present, future]2

condition of heart [pure or impure]3 possibilties of sentiment [like, dislike,

indifference]BUDDHA'S

FOOTPRINT==================All Buddhists accept the Buddha Footprint with its

108 AuspiciousIllustrations. These areas are considered to have been marked on

theBuddha's left foot when his body was discovered.108 Here, There, Everywhere

)===============================108 beads on the Hindu maalaa {rosary}108

Arhats or Holy OnesHINDUISM========108 Gopis {consorts} of Lord Krishna108 Holy

places for Vaishnavas108 beads on the Japa maalaa {rosary}108 Upanishads108

Divyadeshes - Divine or Sacred Tirtha throughout India and Nepal108 sacred

water taps in Muktinath - NepalTANTRA SHASTRA108 Pitha {Sacred Places}The story

goes that Lord Shiva was in deep and incessant meditation.His asceticism was

creating great heat in the universe. Allexistence was in peril and Lord Brahma

was deeply concerned. LordBrahma asked the Mother of the Universe, Maa Shakti,

to use Herstrength and wile to

seduce Lord Shiva. Maa Shakti agreed and wasborn as Sati, daughter of Shri

Daksha.Lord Shiva was so entranced by Sati's asceticism and extraordinarybeauty

that he took human form and they were married. Years later,at a feast, Sati's

father insulted Lord Shiva. Sati was sohumiliated that she began a deep

meditation which led to herimmolation.Lord Shiva was completely heart broken.

He reached into thesacrificial fire and pulled out as much of His beloved's

body as hecould grab. As He ascended to heaven, bits of Sati's body fell

toearth. 108 bits to be precise! In time, these places wereacknowledged and

worshipped.SANATANA DHARMA===============In a book by Khurana, the explanation

closely mirrors the originalVedic justifications:A circle has 360 degrees,

which when multiplied by 60 gives us21,600 minutes in a circle. 60 comes from

the 60 'ghatis' whichSanatana Dharmiks believe in. One ghati is equal

to 24 minutes and60 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 (becase 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 use108. Using the

number 108 helps us coordinate the rhythm of time andspace & we remain in

harmony with the spiritual powers of nature.--------------------Note:=====I

dunno who the author of this article is as he/she was notacknowledged by the

source where this was copied from. Regrettably,I'm unable to cite the writer's

name or further details.Om Shree Ganeshaya NamahSimone

 

Thank you Sister Simone.

 

Yours

George Pillai

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