WHY CHANT MANTRAS FOR 108 TIMES?
Vedic sages believed cosmology
should be mirrored in the Inner cosmology of the human which we have seen in
number 3. The number 108 represents the distance from the body of the
devotee to the God situated within. According to Ayurveda (safest
ancient medicinal techniques) we have 107 weak spots (Marmas/Varma) in our body
and these weak spots are chained together to form 108 links. Each chant
represents a journey from our material self towards our highest spiritual self.
Each chant is believed to bring 1 unit closer to God situated within.
This means that the soul has to make a journey through 108 stages to attain
Mokhsa (Salvation).
In most cases for 100 percent
benefit we do japam for 108 times and that is why “Mala” contains 108 beads.
Here again the sum of integer is 9.
* As per the Hindu Ithihas, an History of events, when the ThiruppArkadal
(Ocean of Milk - Better known as Milkyway) was churned with one side with 54
Deva Ganas representing the positive qualities and at the other end with 54
Asuras that represent the Negative qualities (the Demons) (Here again it totals
to 108!) to find the nectar containing the DevaAmrita (a pot containing the
liquid for immortality). This signifies the Kundalini to raise to the mountain
of axis in one's body with the Kundalini Chakra in the body at the level end of
Spine!
* The
list is endless. For Srivaishnavas in particular and the Hindu religion in
general believes that 108 represent the universe or supreme; there are 108
Divya Desams associated with Lord Sriman NarayaNa, ( Sri Maha Vishnu)
known as Holy places for the Srivaishnavites, 108 Tulsi beads in Hindu Japa
Mala, 108 Upanishads,
* Sanskrit
alphabet: There are 54 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet. Each has masculine and
feminine, Shiva and Shakti. 54 times 2 is 108.
* It
is the vibration of the Purusha and Prakritti that has put us into existence
and it is the secret key that will allow us to awaken in our existence,
manipulate our existence, or transcend our existence. It is a powerful force
that can do anything, tantra (both positive and negative) taps into this force.
There are a 108 beads upon a mala to tap into this vibration of the supreme
creative force of the god and goddess, Purusha and Prakritti.
* Pranayama:
If one is able to
be so calm
in meditation as to have only 108 breaths
in a day,
enlightenment will come.
* Sri
Yantra: On the Sri Yantra there are marmas where three lines intersect, and
there are 54 such intersections. Each intersections has masculine and feminine,
Shiva and Shakti qualities; that again brings the result to 108. 54
multiplied by 2 equals 108. Thus, there are 108 points that define the Sri
Yantra as well as the human body.
*There
are 18 Ancient Astronomical Siddhantas
*There are 27
constillations astronomically and each one has 4 directions. The addition of
integer 27 or 27*4=108 is also 9.
* In Hindu
astronomy th ere are 9 planets and collectively known as Navagrahs.
* There
are 12 zodiac signs and 9 Navagrahas together they say 12 * 9 = 108 different
types of gods and prayers.
* A
zodiac sign in the navamsa chart is also a padam in
the Nakshatra zodiac. In other words 3 deg 20 min
((360degrees/(27starts*4parts or ‘pada’) is 1/108 of the circle and 1/108 of
the circle can be regarded as 1/12 of 1/9 of the zodiac (i.e. 9 x 12 = 108) or
as 1/4 of 1/27 of the circle (i.e. 4 x 27 = 108). In Vedic astrology
the Navamsa sign is viewed from both of these perspectives.
*The four
pada relate to the four ayana: karma (career), artha (sustenance), kama
(pleasure/family), moksa (spirituality/liberation). Each pada has a tone, using
which can activate a planet within the tone.
* In
Vedic Science Astrology, each of the 27 constellations known as Nakshatra is
further divided into 4 part, each consisting 3 degrees and 20minutes; these
sections are known as charan or padam that is considered a step. The total
number of 27 constellations multiplied by 4 quarter each totals to 108. This
signifying the evaluation to the divine path.
* This
also indicates that 108 navamsa / charaN (Nakshatra padam) mentioned in the
Astrology, they are permanently charted into 12 zodiac signs. The Sun traverses
through these signs throughout the year. The significance of the number 54 in
borth sides denotes the the hemispheric changes that indicate DakshinayaNa and
Utharayana (Sun entering into trophical Capricorn and again demons are
the Sun's Southern Course (DakshinAyana) where there is more darkness on the
northern hemisphere. The 54 Devas are the Northern Course of the Sun (Uttara
Ayana). It is the time of the devas, where light is more prevalent.
Navarathna
Vajra (diamond); Vydoorya (Cat's eye); Gomedhika (Hessonite); Pushyaraaga (Yellow sapphire); Marakatha (Emerald); Maanikya (Ruby); Neela (Blue sapphire); Muthya (Pearl) and Pravaala (Coral) are the nine primary gems. These nine gems are associated with Navagrahas, symbolically representing them and are used as a remedy for Navagraha dosha.
Nava Dhaanya
A group of nine grains generally associated with Navagrahas are; wheat (Sun), rice (Moon), red gram (Mars), green gram (Mercury), Bengal gram (Jupiter), black eyed peas (Venus), black sesame (Saturn), black gram (Rahu), and horse gram (Kethu). They are also used as a remedy for Navagraha dosh
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