108: The universal number

Have you ever wondered how amazing this earth is? Many of us do not realize the importance of this planet and many of us are exploring the different planet for our habitation. So, we have destroyed the earth and now we will destroy it completely and move to another one. I think it is not this simple because it's time to acknowledge that there is no option 2 for our habitation.

Introduction

108 is considered to be a sacred number in Sanatan Dharma. This number is not a random number picked by our great Rishis and Rishikas. We always chant a mantra 108 times, we do parikrama 108 times, we have 108 Rudrakshas in a mala. Mala bead breathing is also done 108 times. Many people wonder why Sanatanis consider planets and universe sacred. This is another huge topic which could be discussed in the next blog.

Each and everything on this planet contributes to making of this planet. From tiniest worms to giant animals makes the life possible to exist on earth. Earth is the only planet in our solar system where so many species are existing and moving without natural hindrance. What is the secret? Let's explore some interesting things the ancient Sanatanis/ Hindus observed many thousands of years ago and which is still adaptable.

Chakra

Our body has seven chakras. Anahata chakra is considered to be the centre of all chakras where 108 energy lines/nadis converge. One of them is Sushumna Nadi which helps the yogis in the path of self-realization.

Sri Yantra

Sri yantra is an important tool that invokes energies. This is also known as the yantra of creation. There are many yantras but out of all the yantras, Sri Yantra is the most powerful of all. You will see that the yantra contains triangles that are pointing up and some of them are pointing downwards. The upward-pointing triangles are representing the masculine energy whereas the downward is representing feminine. Masculine and feminine energy has nothing to do with gender as they both are present in every single human. Interestingly, there are 54 intersecting points in this yantra. Each of them represents masculine and feminine. 54 x 2= 108.

Pranayam

Although there is no strict rule to the number of Pranayam cycles one must complete but experienced yogis and Siddhas complete this cycle 108 times.

Planets & Vigyan

Have you ever wondered what makes our planet beautiful? Why life is sustained only here? These questions are extremely important to be answered. Earth is a planet that is perfectly positioned in this solar system. From the source of this universe (isha) to the stars of our galaxy, influence our existence. Did you know that the mother earth produces a frequency of 7.83 HZ which makes the life of animals and humans possible? Without this, the earth will have no life at all. When astronauts travel to outer space, they carry Schumman resonance generator so they can still get the exact frequency so that they can keep their mind active.

The earth is at a position where the sun, which is many times larger than the moon, aligns with the moon to create an eclipse. Is it magic? No. The distance of the earth is so perfect to both that a person from the earth will say that the sun and moon are the same sizes.

But if you were to observe this from mars, it will become superstitious. Because the diameter of the sun is 1.3927 million km and the moon has a diameter of 3,474.2 km.

Note: values taken here are from google and not from Surya Siddhanta.

The distance of earth and sun = 150.94 million km

The distance of earth and moon = 384,400 km

The distance of earth and sun = 108

Diam. of sun

The distance of earth and moon = 108

Diam. of moon

Note: the number sometimes could also be 107 or 109 to the sun as it is moving in an elliptical orbit. The number should be close to 108.

That's the reason why the Sun and the moon are greater influencers in our life. What if the moon does not follow the ratio of 108? If it is closer to the earth, it will vanish the life completely as the water level will rise considerably. The human body has 72% of water. Imagine what would happen inside us.

If the moon is away from the earth, it will destabilize the poles and seasons and still vanish life.

Without the moon being in its current position, the earth will have the poles destabilise will rotate fast so much so that the day would last only for 6-10 hours. Ice in the glacier will start covering the earth depending upon the pole.

This is why 108 ratio of the earth is essential.

Jyotish Vidya

In Jyotish (astrology) we talk about Nakshatras. If we take the sun as the middle point of this solar system then we can see that one Nakshatra is divided into 4 padas. Each part of Nakshatra will be further divided into minutes and seconds.

27 x 4 = 108 padas

The four padas makes one nakshatra. The ruler (planet) in the nakshatra defines the dasha in that period of time.

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Number 9

When we start to drill down into the human we are, we keep meeting this number. It is recommended to us to do Japa 108 times because doing this connects the Atma with the cosmos. Our Rishis found this number by going into a deeper state of dhyana. It is not a random number. There are other sacred numbers in Sanatan Dharma like 9. Number nine is considered a mystical number.

There are many ways 9 comes up when we look at things like the Yugas:

1. Satyug - consists of 172,800 years (1+7+2+8) = 18 =(1+8 = 9)

2. TretaYug consists of 1296000 years (1 +2+ 9+ 6) = 18 =(1+ 8 = 9)

3. DwaparYug consists of 1,224,000 years (1+2+2+4) = 9

4. Kalyug consists of 432000 years (4 +3+ 2) = 9

In our culture, we find nav-ratri (9 nights), Nav Durga and even if you take the example of Jyotish Vidya 27 9Nakshtra) x 4 (pada) = 108 {1+0+8 = 9}

Any shape that is existing on this planet whether its an octagon, a circle, a square will give you number 9

Square= 90+9+90+90 = 360 {3+6+0}

Octagon= 135 x 8 = 1,080 {1+0+8+0 = 9}

circle = 360 {3+6+0 = 9}

If you can multiply any number with 9 and add each digit of the answer you get, will give you number 9. Number 9 is a complete number in itself and is auspicious in terms of cosmology as well. Bramha is associated with 9. So nothing is taken in Sanatan Dharma without any reason. This is not a religion but a process of how the universe works and how we live our life according to the cosmic movements

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