The number 108 has tremendous power…
The number 108 is considered sacred, mainly in Hindu culture for thousands of years. Sacred and important for metaphysical and mathematical reasons, since the ancient Indians were excellent in the field of algebra and geometry. The conclusion of what is the sacred number 108 is due to the Vedas and the way in which the texts and Vedic metrics are in writing the sacred teachings of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Mathematics: When we multiply 1 to itself, 2 to the second power, and 3 to the third power, we have 1 x 4 x 27 = 108.
Vedic metrics: A circle has 360 degrees, which when multiplied by 60 results in 21,600 minutes in a circle. The number 60 comes from 60 Ghatis, which are sacred. A Ghati is equal to 24 minutes, 60 Ghatis is 24 hours, the division of a day. A Ghati is divided into 60 parts or Palas. So, these Palas multiplied by 60 result in 3,600. This multiplier value by 60, for a Pala contains 60 Vipalas, again results in 21,600. Half of this value is the day phase, and the other half is the night phase. So, 21,600 divided by 2, results in 10,800. For practical purposes, 108 is used. This rhythm helps to control the rhythm of time, as well as of space, remaining in harmony with nature and the way it is regulated.
Heart chakra: In the Anahata chakra there are intersecting lines. The Vedas say that there are 108 lines of energy in the heart chakra, where the Paramatma is residing. It is from the heart Chakra that the Yogi attains the enlightenment of the Sahasrara or Chakra of the head self, whose energy is carried through the central channel or Sushumna to the crown of fulfillment in God.
Time: Time is said to have 108 feelings, which are 36 in the past, 36 in the present, and 36 in the future. This relation of the psychology of the perception of time, in the finite world, is considered an expansion of Akasha.
Astrology: Vedic or Jyotish astrology considers the 9 planets visible, as well as the 12 houses of the constellations, called Manshas or Chandrakalas. The ratio of 9 x 12 is equal to 108. The word Chandrakala is composed of Chandra = moon, and Kalas, divisions of time. The diameter of the sun is 108 times larger than that of the Earth.
Lord Krishna’s Gopis: Sri Krishna, the Supreme Lord, protagonist of the Bhagavad Gita, had 108 Gopis or fixed servants, and 108,000 wives. This is transcendental and cannot be compared with the things of worldly passion and levity.
Soul Stages: The Scriptures say that the soul has 108 stages on its journey over Earth, and if it does not reach liberation, it must return to Paramatma’s bosom and return later for a new 108-life journey.
Japamala: 108 are Mala’s accounts for Japa. Product of 12 x 9, the 12 is the number of Aditya, of the luminaries that reveal the objective world, that is, the symbols of the sakara aspect (the world of name and form, of multiplicity and variety), thus representing the different manifestations, returns or reincarnations, around a unit, the Meru, Brahman
Divyadeshes: 108 are considered the sacred Tirthas from India to Nepal. They are points dedicated to the rishis and are located next to the pools, rivers, etc., in connection with a cult. The Hindus believe that the rivers carry sacred powers to the land and the most important of these rivers is the Ganges, which is born in the Himalayas and crosses from one end to the other of northern India to end in the Bay of Bengal. There are many holy places along the 257 km of Ganges, the most important of which is Varanasi, the city of Shiva, where its faithful go to bathe in the river.
Sacred Waters: Installed in Muktinath, Nepal, also in 108 places.
108 Pithas: Sacred places. This story is complete in the fourth Corner of Bhagavat Purana. The story goes that Lord Shiva was always in deep meditation, and his asceticism was generating great heat over the universe. Consequently, the whole existence was in great danger, and Lord Brahma (His father), intervened before Maa Shakti Devi, the mother of the universe, to use his power in order to seduce Lord Shiva and remove him from your position. So Maa Sakti agreed, and that she would be born as Sati, the daughter of Sri Daksha.
Lord Shiva had been very impressed by Sati’s asceticism, and by His extraordinary beauty. So He returned to human form and married her. Years later, at a party, Sati Devi’s father insulted Lord Shiva and Sati was so humiliated that she went into deep meditation in order to immolate herself. Lord Shiva had his heart broken. He reached the fire sacrifice site, and tried to interfere by grabbing Sati’s body, taking it to heaven. But as he did this, 108 pieces of Sati Devi’s body fell and spread over the Earth. There were 108 pieces, which made the places where they fell entirely sacred. Since this time these places have been adored and a source of constant pilgrimage.
