So why 108 is such a special number?
Have you ever wondered what is so special about 108 times? Why 108 sun salutations? Why mantras should be repeated 108 times? Who invented this magic number? Is it a part of any religion? Is it applicable to everyone? Why not 99 or 111? How did ancient Indians arrive at this number?
Has it ever occurred to you that it can be linked to the way our Universe and Solar System is designed? Have you ever thought that it could be a part of much higher mathematics? So here are some fascinating and breath taking explanations of the magic of 108!
The ancient Indians about 5000 BC or beyond figured out an incredible ratio. They calculated that the diameter of the sun multiplied 108 times gives you the distance from the earth to the sun, and the diameter of the moon multiplied 108 times gives you the distance from the earth to the moon. The average distance from the Earth to the Moon is 238,800 miles, about 108 times the moons diameter. This is the reason why moon appears the same size as the sun during eclipses.
Here are the numbers:
1) Diameter of the Sun = 864,327 miles. (Multiplied by 108 = 93,347,351 Miles)
Distance from the sun (as the earth has an elliptical orbit) minimum 91 million miles to maximum 94.1 million miles.
2) Diameter of the Moon= 2159 miles (Multiplied by 108 = 233,172 miles)
Distance of earth to moon is minimum 225,622 miles to a maximum of 252,088 miles (as the moon too has an elliptical orbit.
108 therefore becomes an amazing cosmic ratio of the most significant two planets that affect earth and human fortunes due to their gravitational effects.
In Vedic Astrology there are 12 signs or areas of the sky based on the Solar zodiac and 9 planets, which, when multiplied, makes it total 108 combinations.
The Lunar zodiac in Vedic Astrology is divided into 27 nakshatras (lunar mansions), each nakshatra has 4 equal padas (parts), when multiplied totaling to 108. In such a way the combination and convergence of solar and lunar zodiacs is derived.
The other fascinating facts just prove how integrated is the entire system of Vedic philosophy, Yoga, Ayurveda, Vedic astrology, Tantra.
In Ayurevda there are 108 marma points, which are vital to giving life.
In Tantra it is estimated that we breathe 21,600 times per day, out of which 10,800 is solar energy and 10,800 is lunar energy, totaling to 108*100=10,800.
The most powerful Sri Yantra, a mandala representing Creation, found in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions, and whose sound is “Om”— has 54 points where energy lines intersect. Each such intersection has masculine and feminine—Shiva and Shakti—qualities, totaling to 108.
There are 54 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet. Each has masculine and feminine, Shiva and Shakti, giving total of 108 alphabets.
The meanings of numbers 1,0,8:
Some say that 1 stands for God or Higher truth, 0 stands for emptiness or completeness, and 8 stands for infinity or eternity…
In India, Astrophysics, Astrology and spirituality have been intertwined since the dawn of time. And yet the question that remains is how did ancient Indians 5000 years back arrive at such precision of the diameters and distances of planets and these incredible ratios?
So, 108 is the cosmic number which helps us to align with entire creation and universal consciousness. How magnificent…