What is the significance of Number 108? As per vedic 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 in approximately 15 times, in 1 hour 900 times, and in 12 hours 10800 times, and in a day 10800 * 2 times. 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 recitation of God's holy names.
If one wants to obtain 100% benefit of its japa, then performing japa 108 times will give you the benefit of 100%. That's why in a "Mala",there are 108 beads.
It is written in Vedas, that 1 Japa corresponds to 1 mala (which has 108 beads), therefore performing jap of 108 malas will result in 100% benefit.
2) Astronomically, there are 27 constellations in our galaxy, and each one of them has 4 directions, and 27 * 4 = 108, In other words the number 108 covers the whole galaxy.
3) According to vedic scriptures, letter 9 corresponds to Lord Brahma (thecreator of universe). Mathematically, the interesting property of 9 is 9x1=9. 9x2= 18 (8+1=9) 9x3=27 (7+2=9) In fact you multiply 9 with any number and the total of all digits will be 9.
4) In vedic culture, number 9 is very important. Keeping the importance of number 9, Rishi Vyas has created 18 Purans, 108 Upnishads.Mahabharat has 18 chapters, Gita has 18 chapters, Bhagavat has 108000 Shlokas (verses).
5) In Yajurved, Sun is related with Lord Brahma (the number 9), remember - 12 x 9 = 108; therefore for Prayers, the number 108 is very sacred.
6) According to scriptures, there are 4 Yugas Satyug - consists of 172,800 years (1+7+2+8 = 18 == (1+8 = 9)Treta Yuga consists of 1296000 years (1+2+9+6 = 18 = (1+8=9) Dwapar Yuga consists of 864000 years (8+4+6) = 18 = (1+8 = 9) Kali yuga consists of 432000 years (4+3+2) = 9
7) There are 108 principal gopis in Vrindavan.
8) 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")
9) Desires:There are said to be 108 earthly desires in mortals.
10) Lies:There are said to be 108 lies that humans tell.
11) Delusions:There are said to be 108 human delusions or forms of ignorance.
12) 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.
13)Sanskrit alphabet:There are 54 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet. Each has masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti. 54 times 2 is 108.
14) Pranayama:If one is able to be so calm in meditation as to have only 108 breaths in a day, enlightenment will come.
15) 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 times 2 equals 108. Thus, there are 108 points that define the Sri Yantra as well as the human body.
Pentagon:The angle formed by two adjacent lines in a pentagon equals 108 degrees.
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