Whether religion, or mathematical quiz – science of space or discipline of a dance form, 108 number is magical or has a hidden secret – interesting number overall!!! Below is what I have compiled so far from various facts and my exposure to the Indian culture and training in Indian classical dance.
1. Hindu Religion
108 – beads in the “Japa Mala” – Hindu meditation while repeating mantras equivalent to European rosary – brief history of rosary here “when the medieval crusaders travelled Eastward for the Holy wars, they had a chance to observe the worshippers in India praying with the bead necklaces (“japa malas”), they brought the idea to Europe as ’rosary’ “
108 names of several Hindu Gods – such as Shiva, Ganesha, Lakshmi, Vishnu
108 Upanishads – Ancient Hindu religion guides
108 Holy places of Lord Vishnu
2. Astronomy
The distance of Moon and Earth is 108 times of the Earth’s diameter during Solar eclipse
The distance of Sun and Earth is 108 times of the Sun’s diameter during Solar eclipse – If the distance is altered than the Earth will either be very cool (away from the sun) or very hot (near the sun) during Solar eclipse
The distance of Moon and Sun is 108 times of the Sun’s diameter during Lunar eclipse
The distance of Moon and Earth is 108 times of the Moon’s diameter during Lunar eclipse
3. Hindu Astrology
There are 12 Rashis (Signs) and 9 Grahas (Planets) which when multiplied give a number of 108 which are the total types of radiations affecting a human body at birth-time – And is used to base the Hindu horoscope – Kundali of the person born.
Also per the effect of these 108 combinations, there can be 108 possible types of human nature at a time.
4. Indian Culture – Performing Arts
Bharatnatyam – Indian classical dance form – constitutes of 108 mudras – expressions.
5. Mathematical fun
108 = 1 + 0 + 8 = 9. Adding 9 to any number will return the same number by adding its digits again. Example: 10 = 1+0 = 1. Now add 9 so 1+9=10=1+0=1.
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