Significance of Number 108 in Indian Philosophy
What is the significance of Number 108 in Indian Philosophy?
As per Indian scriptures, Indian culture has a very special significance of number 108. What does this number represent, and why is it so important?
1) In one minute, we breathe on an average 15 times, in 1 hour 900 times, and in 12 hours 10800 times, and in a day 21,600 times. According to Tantra of 21,600 breaths per day, 10,800 are solar energy, and 10,800 are lunar energy. Multiplying 108 by 100 is 10,800. Multiplying 2 x 10,800 equals 21,600.
2) A day consists of 24 hours, and if we set aside half the day for our day to day routines, then one can spend 12 hours for naama smarana (chanting the Lord's name). Therefore, the maximum number of times that one can chant "mantra", or perform "naama japa" are 10800. If one wants to obtain 100% benefit of japa, then performing japa 108 times will give one 100% benefit. That's why in a "maalaa" (rosary), there are 108 beads. It is written in Veda-s, that one japa corresponds to one maalaa (which has 108 beads), therefore performing japa of 108 maalaa-s will result in 100% benefit.
3) Astronomically, there are 27 constillations in our galaxy, and each one of them has 4 directions, and 4 x 27 = 108, In other words the number 108 covers the whole galaxy.
4) According to Indian scriptures, letter 9 corresponds to Lord Brahma (the creator of universe). The addition of digits of number 108 is 9, that's why 108 is very important, and came into lot of Indian scriptures. Mathematically, the interesting property of 9 is 9 x 1 = 9
9 x 2 = 18 (8+1 = 9)
9 x 3 = 27 (7+2 = 9)
9 x 12 = 108 (1+0+8 = 9)
5) Indian Veda-s, treats the Sun as God, and Sun has 12 signs (Zodiac signs). In Yajurveda, Sun is related with Lord Brahma (the number 9), remember - 12 x 9 = 108; therefore for Gods Prayer, the number 108 is very sacred.
6) According to Indian mythology, there are 4 Yuga-s:
Satyuga consists of 1728000 years (1+7+2+8 = 18 = (1+8 = 9)
Tretaa Yuga consists of 1296000 years (1+2+9+6 = 18 = (1+8 = 9)
Dwaapaar Yuga consists of 864000 years (8+4+6) = 18 = (1+8 = 9)
Kaliyuga consists of 432000 years (4+3+2) = 9
7) Harshad number: 108 is a Harshad number, which is an integer divisible by the sum of its digits (Harshad is from Sanskrit, and means "great joy")
8) Anaahat chakra (Heart Chakra): The chakra-s 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 naadi leads to the sahasraara (crown chakra), and is said to be the path to Self-realization.
9) Sanskrit alphabet: There are 54 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet. Each has masculine and feminine, Shiva and Shakti. 54 x 2 = 108.
10) In Hindu religion, number 9 is very important: Keeping the importance of number 9, Rishi Vyaasa has composed 18 Puraana-s and codified 108 Upanishad-s. There are 108 Upanishad-s, that are generally accepted, which comes at the end part of the Veda-s, that expounds on the highest Truth. Mahaabhaarata has 18 chapters, Geetaa has 18 chapters, Bhaagavat has 108000 shloka-s (verses).
11) Sri Yantra: On the Sri Yantra there are marma-s where three lines intersect, and there are 54 such intersections. Each intersections has masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti qualities. 54 x 2 = 108. Thus, there are 108 points that define the Sri Yantra as well as the human body.
12) Pentagon: The angle formed by two adjacent lines in a pentagon equals 108 degrees.
13) Astrology: In astrology, there are 12 houses and 9 planets. 12 x 9 = 108. According to Jyotish Shastra (Indian Astrology) there are 12 constellations, and 9 arc segments called namsha-s or chandrakalaa-s. 9 x 12 equals 108. Chandra is moon, and kalaa-s are the divisions within a whole.
14) Silver and the moon: In astrology, the metal silver is said to represent the moon. The atomic weight of silver is 108.
15) Moon and Earth: The average distance of the Moon from the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Moon.
16) Sun and Earth: The diameter of the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Earth. The distance from the Sun to the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Sun.
17) River Gangaa: The sacred River Gangaa spans a longitude of 12 degrees (79 to 91), and latitude of 9 degrees (22 to 31). 12 x 9 = 108.
18) Smaller divisions: The number 108 is divided, such as in half, one-third, quarter, or one-twelfth, so that some maalaa-s have 54, 36, 27, or 9 beads.
19) Names of each deities: Each of the deities has 108 names known as ashtottara shata naamaavali.
20) Sikhism: The Sikh tradition has a maalaa of 108 knots tied in a string of wool, rather than beads.
21) Chinese: The Chinese Buddhists and Taoists use a 108 bead maalaa, which is called su-chu, and has three dividing beads, so the maalaa is divided into three parts of 36 each. Chinese astrology says that there are 108 sacred stars.
22) Dance: There are 108 forms of dance in the Indian traditions.
