An Ultimate Guide To The Significance Of The Number 108 In Yoga

Have you been wondering about the significance of the number 108 in yoga and why it is so important? Check out this ultimate guide by Vedamrita to get details.

If you have practiced yoga for a while, you might have noticed that the number 108 is often used as a significant symbol in ancient traditions, including Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. In fact, the number 108 is considered so sacred that many spiritual seekers use 108 beads mala to count their mantras, and sometimes yogis also complete sun salutations in 9 sets of 12 postures, i.e. 9X12 = 108. 

So, what is the thing with the number 108? Why 108 and not 107 or 109? Well, this blog will help you to understand. Let’s dig in.

4 Reasons That Explain The Significance Of The Number 108 In yoga

Here is the list of reasons why the number 108 is important and the significance of the number 108 in yoga. Check it out.

108 Explains Our Relationship To The Sun And The Moon

The significance of the number 108 is up to interpretation, but most people believe that 108 is the number of the wholeness of existence that explains the relationship of the earth to the sun and the moon. Ancient Mathematicians and Vedic astronomers took a great deal of care in exploring the relationship of the earth to the sun and the moon, and modern science has proven their theories to be exceptionally accurate.  

According to the research, the oldest book on astronomy and the text written by Indian astronomers known to exist, the number 108 explains the connection between the earth, the sun and the moon. 

For example, the distance between the sun and the earth is equal when the sun’s diameter is multiplied by 108, and the same equation also applies to the distance between the earth and the moon. Also, the sun’s diameter is said to be 108 times that of the earth. Isn’t it blowing your mind yet?

108 Is Mathematically Significant

The word “Harshad” is derived from the Sanskrit language and means “great joy.” Harshad numbers refer to those numbers that can be divided by the sum of their digits. And if we talk about the number 108: then 1+0+8 = 9, and 108 can be cleanly divided into nine, which makes 108 a Harshad number or a number that brings great joy. 

Additionally, endless astrological and mathematical facts point toward the significance of the number 108 in yoga. For instance, the number 108 is also an abundant number and a tetranacci number. The Earth cycle is said to be of 2160 years which is again connected to 108 as 20X108 = 2160. Everywhere we turn around, the number 108 is there as it was sent to the universe as a divine message.

108 Is In Our Bodies

Even when we look into our bodies, we can see the number 108 pop out. Ayurveda tells us that our bodies have 108 marma points, which can be called intersections of energy and matter or the points in which the physical and energetic bodies come together. 

As yogis, it is believed that our body contains seven chakras or energy centres, beginning from the top of the head down to the base of the spine. And the number 108 is connected with the heart chakra in our body, which is known to connect us with compassion, love, and transformation. 

Vedic wisdom also states that 108 energy lines come together at the right centre of our chest, where the heart chakra is.

108 In Yogic Traditions Today

You will find 108 everywhere in the tradition of yoga. It is the number that reflects the entire universe and connects us to the divine. Along the spiritual path, yogis can find this sacred number everywhere. On top of the 108 sun salutations and 108 mala beads used for meditation, it is said that there are 108 spiritual sites in India.

Additionally, there are also 108 sacred texts or Upanishads, in Hinduism. To worship lord shiva, the Mahamrityunjaya mantra is chanted 108 times. Also, other than Hinduism, we can see 108 in other traditions, such as Buddhism.

The teachings in Tibetan Buddhism say that there are 108 delusions of the mind. Furthermore, there are so many other examples of how spiritual seekers everywhere practice and honour using this divine number.

Conclusion

It is the belief that when we start practising using the number 108, the sacred number, we become more aligned and in touch with the universe around us. Also, we bow in gratitude to the ancient masters who discovered its holiness. 

With this, you might have understood the significance of the number 108 in yoga and how important it is. 

We hope that the blog has been valuable to you. If you have any reviews or queries about the article. Feel free to leave a comment below. We will be more than happy to respond.