The number 108 holds great significance in Hinduism, Buddhism, and other spiritual traditions, including the practice of maha mantra japa. There are several reasons why 108 is considered a sacred and auspicious number in these contexts:
- Cosmic and Astronomical Significance:
- In Hinduism, it is believed that there are 108 “pithas” or sacred sites throughout India.
- There are said to be 108 Upanishads, which are ancient texts containing spiritual wisdom.
- The distance between the Earth and the Sun is approximately 108 times the diameter of the Sun.
- The average distance between the Earth and the Moon is roughly 108 times the diameter of the Moon.
- Sanskrit Language and Mathematics:
- In the Sanskrit language, there are 54 letters, each having a masculine and feminine form, totaling 108.
- Ancient Sanskrit scholars believed that the number 108 represents the entirety of existence.
- Yogic and Spiritual Significance:
- In yoga and meditation, it is believed that there are 108 energy lines converging at the heart chakra.
- Many yoga practices, including sun salutations (Surya Namaskar), involve 108 movements.
- The number 108 is often associated with spiritual completion and the fulfillment of spiritual goals.
- Mantra Japa: In the context of mantra japa, the number 108 is significant for several reasons:
- Malas, which are prayer beads used for counting repetitions of mantras, traditionally have 108 beads (plus one extra, known as the “guru bead”).
- Chanting a mantra 108 times is seen as a complete and spiritually fulfilling practice.
- The repetition of a mantra 108 times is believed to help align the practitioner with the cosmic rhythm and the divine.
- Cultural and Religious Traditions:
- In various cultural and religious practices, including Hinduism and Buddhism, 108 is considered a sacred and auspicious number for ritual and spiritual purposes.
It’s important to note that the significance of 108 can vary between different traditions and belief systems. While some practitioners attach deep spiritual meaning to the number 108, others may view it as a symbol of completeness and cosmic harmony.
When performing mantra japa with a mala (prayer beads), one typically chants the mantra 108 times while moving from one bead to the next, using the guru bead as a marker to begin and end the practice. This repetition of 108 is believed to help the practitioner connect with the divine, attain spiritual clarity, and experience a sense of completeness and oneness with the universe.
