Question Regarding the number 108

[Guest guest]

On Sun, 9 Sep 2001 13:06:14 EDT DJUM writes:

>

> 108 adds up to 9 (which was considered an important or auspicious

> number too

> by my family guru). All multiples of 9 add up to 9 (certainly 18,

> 108, 1008,

> etc.)...perhaps there is a mystic significance in 9 too? Any

> explanations/elaborations re: this number...and perhaps its relation

> to 108 specifically?

 

Nine is the number of Durga, who has 9 aspects, whose symbol is a

three-pronged pinwheel of nine parts, whose festival is celebrated for 9

nights... Durga contains within Herself the energies of all the other

Goddesses.

 

>

> Re: japa mala technique... I have a hard time with the

> pulling to tell the truth...my rudraksha beads are kind of small too.

>

> What is the significance of the rudraksha beads (just as the

> sandalwood and tiger-eye have specific powers?)

 

The tropical tree Eleocarpus bears a large, peacock-blue fruit. The

fruits aren't very tasty, they have some medicinal uses, but Hindus and

Buddhists boil them down to reveal the seeds at their core. These

Rudraksha seeds are considered sacred to Rudra/ Shiva, worn on a cord

around the neck, or are strung into malas. It is said that Lord Shiva

was meditating, and seeing the hardships of humanity, wept tears from his

third eye. These tears turned into Rudraksha seeds, and grew into the

first groves of Eleocarpus trees.

 

The smaller the rudraksha, the more expensive and rare it is. Small

rudrakshas are best for japa; larger ones are worn for health benefits

(rudrakshas alledgedly lower blood pressure, remove heat from the body,

and discourage anger). Each seed is a bumpy sphere divided into five

segments, like an orange. Five is Shiva's number. Rare mutant seeds

have different numbers of segments, and are worn for

numerologically-determined effects. For example, a nine-faced rudraksha

is sacred to and brings blessings from Ma Durga. The M.A. Center's

"Mother's Books and Gifts" catalog, accessible at <www.mothersbooks.org>

sells single rudrakshas with unusual numbers of "faces."

 

Shiva-worshippers wear rudraksha malas. They are also pleasing to

members of Shiva's family: Ganesha, Durga, Kali, Skanda, etc. Buddhists

use them to worship wrathful deities.

 

-- Len/ Kalipadma

 

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