Meaning of 108 in Hinduism
108 is an important number in Hinduism, having great spiritual significance and symbolic meaning. It is said to be the indivisible symbol of knowledge, with its significance deeply rooted in Vedic numerology and mythology. Hindus often use 108 strings of prayer beads, called mala beads, to count mantras or chants. It is believed that 108 is a number that connects the Sun, Moon, and Earth: the average distance of the Sun and the Moon to Earth is 108 times their respective diameters.
Numerological Significance of 108
The number 108 has many layers of numerological significance and is a fundamental building block in basic Hindu numerology. In the decimal system, the number 108 is composed of two numbers which come from the mathematics of number theory and combine to give a single digit of the number 9. This symbolises transformation, development, and the completion of a cycle.
Mythological and Religious Significance of 108
In Hindu mythology, the gods and demons churned the primordial milk ocean in an attempt to obtain the elixir of life known as Amrit. This churning process produced 108 jars of Amrit. In the yogic tradition, it is believed that the soul passes through 108 stages on the journey to enlightenment.
Within Hinduism, the number 108 is often used to signify repetition and the devotion of a prayer or mantra. It is associated with the 108 names of Lord Vishnu’s avatar, Krishna. Similarly, 108 is the sum total of the digits of the 12 zodiac signs along with the 9 planets and 12 rashis, making it a powerful number to use in rituals, prayers and offerings to the Hindu gods.
Appearance of 108 in Temples and Holy Sites
The number 108 is a special number in terms of architecturality. Most Hindu temples are built in multiples of 108. For example, the famous Angor Wat in Cambodia has a total of 108 small towers. The Temple of Tirta Empul in Bali, Indonesia is renowned for its 108 fountains which are believed to hold healing powers. The famous Golden Temple in India also boasts of 108 steps leading up to the holy site.
The number 108 is also a significant part of architecture in other religions as well. In Buddhism, for example, the most important temples are built on a foundation of 108 pillars. In Judaism, many synagogues have a prayer hall measuring 108 meters in length.
Significance of 108 in Yoga
108 has a rich history in the realm of yoga, which includes the practice of chanting or repeating ‘Om’ 108 times. It is said that there are 108 energy lines connecting us to the divine, and knowing this helps us to tap into the vibration of the universe and better align ourselves with its energy.
It is also thought that we have 108 feelings, with 36 related to the past, 36 related to the present, and 36 related to the future. Performing yoga can help to unlock these feelings, unleash their potential and ultimately lead to an enhanced state of being.
108 as a Symbol of Holiness
In Hinduism, 108 is an incredibly holy number and a symbol of the divine. It is not only used for counting prayer beads, but is also a significant figure in many religious festivals and ceremonies. Some of the most popular festivals, such as Diwali, involve the performance of rituals 108 times.
The number 108 is also found in ancient scriptures, paintings and other artwork, having been an integral part of Hinduism for centuries. It is seen as a symbol of purity and holiness, and is often venerated by Hindus as a sacred number.
Using 108 in Everyday Life
Hindus often use 108 even in everyday life. For instance, if the mala beads are used to count prayer mantras, then 108 repetitions are considered ideal in order to achieve maximum spiritual benefits. Similarly, 108 sun salutations are often recommended for practitioners of yoga.
In addition, Hindus use 108 to signify the passing of a loved one who has passed away. After the cremation ceremony, relatives and friends traditionally offer 108 handfuls of grains, petals, or ash into the funeral pyre.
The Role of 108 in Meditation
108 can also be used by Hindus to support and facilitate meditation. It is said that when focusing on the number 108, deep meditation is achieved more quickly and efficiently. This can be done using mala beads, or simply by focusing on the number itself and mentally counting 108 breaths.
The belief is that when we perform meditation connected to the number 108, we will be able to tap into the energy of the universe and become better attuned with it. 108 is thought to be a powerful number in connecting us to the divine and helping us to channel our innermost emotions in meditation.
Applications of 108 in Metaphysics
In addition to being used as a spiritual aid, many people believe that the number 108 has a direct correlation to our lives. Some believe that the number 108 can be used to determine our purpose in life by breaking down our dreams, goals, and aspirations into 108 possible parts. This is based on the metaphysical laws that govern the universe, and many believe that use of the number 108 can bring us one step closer to understanding our place in the universe.
Physical Representations of 108
The number 108 is not only used symbolically and in spiritual practices, but it can also be seen in physical form. For instance, our sun and moon have diameters that are 108 times greater than Earth. Additionally, the distance between the Earth and the moon is 108 times its diameter, while the sun is 108 times the Earth’s diameter from us.
There are also numerous physical representations of the number 108. These include the 108 beads of some Hindu malas, each of which are said to represent a different virtue or aspect of the divine. The distance between certain temples and other holy sites also totaled 108, representing the spiritual journey and a connection between heaven and Earth.
Astrological Significance of 108
The number 108 is closely associated with Vedic astrology, the ancient Indian form of astrology. According to Vedic astrology, there are 12 houses in the zodiac wheel and each house represents an area of life. Together, these 12 houses represent the entirety of our lives and our journey through them.
Astrologers believe that it is possible to use 108 to calculate predictions, using additional numbers associated with the planets and zodiac signs. 108 is also used to represent the planets’ varying speed as they move around the zodiac wheel, as well as to measure the distance between the planets and identify the points where they interact with each other.
Significance of 108 in Time
The number 108 is also seen to be significant in terms of time, representing both the past, present and future. There are 108 days in the last half of the year, and 108 minutes make up the duration of one Chinese hour.
Hindus believe that the number 108 represents the 108 cycles of time which exist in a given year. This is then used to divide the year into manageable chunks, and also used to calculate planetary transits around the zodiac wheel.
Overall, the significance of the number 108 in Hinduism is vast and complex. It is thought to represent the divine, and its use in rituals, prayers, and other activities is seen as a way of connecting us to the soul and the universe. The number is also considered to be a key component of numerology, astrology, and other forms of divination, often lending itself to interesting and insightful discoveries.
