Significance of 108, Why it is Considered as Sacred Number in Yoga and Hinduism

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Significance of 108, Why it is Considered a Sacred Number in Yoga and Hinduism

 

In Sanatan Dharma, the number 108 has a great importance. As Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) is associated with ancient science, so one can see the number 108 has an interesting significance each in science and mathematics. The number 108 is taken into account sacred both by Buddhism and Jainism. The number 108 can be derived as 1+0+8=9, 1-0-8=7, 18, 1x8=8, now these numbers (108, 9, 7, 8, 18) have fascinating roles both in science and spirituality. First of all, we need to perceive that both science and spirituality (Sanatan Dharma) search for the ultimate truth, the answers to the questions we often forget to ask ourselves Who we are..? What is the purpose of our life..? 

Science deals with material objects and their behaviors in various circumstances, whereas Hindu Spirituality always wants to decode the logic behind the universe. Here in this article, we will see how the number 108 became a significant splendor for both science and Hinduism.

Mathematically and Geometrically:

1. There are 108 Free Polyominoes of order 7.
2. A self-number is an integer that cannot be written as the sum of any other integer n and the individual digits of n. This property is specific to the base used to represent the integers.108 is a self number, because no such combination can be found.
3. 108° degrees on the inner angles of a pentagon.
4. 108 patterns in reduced Fibonacci numbers.
5. 366 days in the sidereal year; 3x6x6 = 108.
6. 1 squared plus 2 squared plus 3 squared equals 108.
7. 108 is a Harshad number (1+0+8=9) / 108 is divisible by 9.

Science:

1. About 108 Earths fit across the Sun. About 108 Suns fit in between Earth and the Sun. And, about 108 Moons fit between Earth and Moon. The number 360 is encoded in these distances when measured in miles.
2. The distance of Earth from the Sun is about 108 times the diameter of the Sun (actually closer to 107.51, as per the definition of the AU, there might be Errors of measurement).
3. 108 is the Atomic Number of Hassium.
4. 108 degrees Fahrenheit is the internal temperature of the Human body at which the body's important organs start to fail for overheating.

Hinduism:

1. According to Ayurveda, there are 108 pressure points in the human body, where consciousness and flesh intersect to give life to the living being.
2. Lord Vishnu has 108 Divya Desams (temples of Sri Vishnu). 
3. 108 energy lines or nadis converging to form the heart chakra.
4. In Indian astrology, we have 12 houses and 9 planets. 12 times 9 equals to 108.
5. In Tantra, it is estimated that every day we breathe 21,600 times out of which 10,800 are solar energy and 10, 800 are lunar energy. Multiplying 108 X 100 is 10,800.
6. In Indian astrology, we have 12 houses and 9 planets. 12 times 9 equals to 108.
7. In Sanatana Dharma we have 27 Nakshtrams where Every Living thing is born in anyone of these Nakshtrams. Each nakshtrams have 4 Padams. So totally by calculation 27 x 4= 108.
8. The famous saint Bharata wrote “The Natya Shastra” which has 108 karanas (Movement of hand and feet).
9. The powerful Sri Yantra intersects in 54 points each with a masculine and feminine quality, totaling to 108.
10. There are 18 Puranas and 108 Upanishads. 
11. The Mahabharata contains 18 Chapters, The Kurukshetra war lasts for 18 days. 
12. 12. There were a total of 18 armies in the battle.
13. There are 54 alphabets in the Sanskrit language, and each has two forms one feminine and the other masculine, Shakti and Shiva, now, 54x2=108.
14. 108 beads on prayer mala.
15. 108 repetitions of a mantra.
16. 108 dance forms in Indian traditions.

Jainism

Jainism:

1. Total number of beads in a rosary representing a total of 108 virtues of Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyay, and Sadhu.

2. 1008 shubh (auspicious) marks on the divine body of a Tirthankar

Buddhism

Buddhism:

1. Buddhists worship 108 small Buddhas for good luck. 

2. There is a tradition in Buddhist culture to ring a bell 108 times to celebrate a new year. 

3. There are said to be 108 virtues to cultivate and 108 impairments to avoid.

• Thus the number 108 is fundamental to Indian spirituality.
• The number 108 or the multiples of 9 is the indestructible supply of good health, wealth, predetermination, love, success, satisfaction, and otherworldliness. It is quite reasonable to think of it as a holy number of this universe.

Number Rules the Universe - Pythagoras.