The Significance of the number 108

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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 quiding 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 farenheits

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

possibilties 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 (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 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. Seema Karki Perform selfless service to

the poor, the sick, and the needy without thought of reward or fame.

Love all Serve all