Number 108: What it means & why it's cool
When thinking about special or meaningful numbers, 108 isn't something that comes to your mind immediately. At least for me. The first time I heard it was when I was asked to do 108 sun salutations. I was okay with doing lots of sun salutations but the concrete number irritated me. Why not 107 or 109? So let's find out how relevant it is.
๐ The Cosmic Connection
If you've ever gazed up at the night sky and felt a sense of awe, you're not alone. Did you know the distance between the Earth and the Sun is roughly 108 times the Sun's diameter? And it doesn't stop there - the distance between the Earth and the Moon is also about 108 times the Moon's diameter. ๐โ๏ธ๐
Numbers in the cosmos aren't just digits. They're the secret notes in a cosmic symphony, maintaining the harmony of the universe. And 108? It's one of the star players. ๐ผ
The number of Sun, Moon, and Earth combinations during an eclipse? 108. The number of stitches on a baseball? Also 108. Seems like the universe and even sports have a soft spot for this number. โพ
๐๐ The Sacred Stories: 108 in Mythology and Spirituality
Hinduism: The Mukhya Shivaganas, attendants of Shiva, are 108 in number, which is why Shaiva religions, particularly Lingayats, use malas of 108 beads for prayer and meditation. Lord Krishna had 108 followers known as gopis. The Sri Vaishnavite Tradition worship 108 Tempels of Vishnu. The Sudarshana Chakra, a weapon of Vishnu, is portrayed with 108 serrated edges. The total number of Upanishads (late Vedic sanskrit texts) is also counted as 108.
In the yogic system, the human body is sometimes seen as having 114 chakras, with 108 that people can work with. It is sometimes said that there are 84 classic asanas, or yoga postures. These asanas are believed to encompass the full range of movement that the human body is capable of, and each one has specific physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. If a person can master just one of these asanas, they can gain profound insight into themselves and the nature of existence. This is because each asana is associated with a particular chakra, or energy center, in the body. By mastering an asana, a person can activate and balance the associated chakra, which can lead to a state of health, clarity, and bliss. Furthermore, if a person can properly balance the 108 chakras that humans can work with, their system will naturally align with the rest of the colorful cosmos. This alignment can lead to a deep sense of peace, joy, and fulfillment, as well as a heightened perception of the world around them.
In Jainism, the number 108 plays a significant role in understanding Karma. According to Jain tradition, there are 108 ways in which Karma can impact our lives. These ways encompass various emotions like anger, pride, conceit, and greed, as well as our thoughts, speech, and actions. The concept expands to include the stages of planning and the ways in which we execute our plans. In total, it adds up to 108.
Buddhism also attributes meaning to the number 108. Buddhists believe that there are 108 different feelings that humans can experience. This calculation involves multiplying our senses (smell, touch, taste, hearing, sight, and consciousness) by whether these sensations are painful, pleasant, or neutral. It also takes into account whether these feelings originate internally or externally, and spans across past, present, and future. Zen priests wear juzu, a ring of prayer beads, consisting of 108 beads. Additionally, the Lankavatara Sutra, a Buddhist scripture, contains sections where the Bodhisattva Mahamati poses 108 questions to the Buddha, and the Buddha responds with 108 statements of negation.
In Japan, there is a beautiful tradition at the end of the year. Buddhist temples ring a bell 108 times to mark the transition from the old year to the new. Each ring represents one of the 108 earthly temptations, or Bonnล, that we must overcome to attain nirvana, a state of perfect peace and enlightenment.
Some believe that there are 108 stages on the journey of the human soul. Others associate the possibility of enlightenment with taking only 108 breaths a day during deep meditation.
The numbers 1๏ธ-0๏ธ-8๏ธ can also hold symbolic meanings:
1 represents God, the universe, or our highest truth;
0 represents emptiness and humility in spiritual practice;
8 represents infinity and timelessness.
๐๏ธ๐ Shiva - The Ultimate Yogi and Dancer
As the husband of Parvati (Shakti), Shiva symbolizes the divine union of masculine and feminine energies, reflecting the balance of creation and dissolution in the universe.
With his matted hair adorned by a crescent moon, Shiva transcends time and possesses spiritual insight through his third eye. He wields a trident (like Poseidon), symbolizing his authority over creation, preservation, and destruction.
Shiva's significance extends beyond his role as a deity. He is admired as the supreme guru of yoga and meditation, giving awesome teachings to seekers on the path of self-realization and spiritual liberation. His mastery of meditation and ascetic practices demonstrates his unwavering commitment to inner transformation, he grinded a lot.
Compassion, wisdom, and the ability to transmute negativity into spiritual strength are hallmarks of Shiva's character. He is often depicted as a benevolent deity, bestowing blessings upon his devotees and safeguarding them from adversity.
Mr Shiva shares a deep connection with El Brahma, the creator, and Don Vishnu, the preserver. Together, these three deities form a trinity representing the cycle of creation, preservation, and dissolution, ensuring the perpetual flow of life and cosmic order. Wow.
๐บ๐ฅ Nataraja: The Lord of the Dance
The dancing depiction of Shiva, his avatar, is named Nataraja, the Lord of the Dance; his dance is called the anandatandava, which means the "dance (tandava) of bliss (ananda)." In this concept, Shiva showcases his divine attributes and cosmic significance.
Nataraja's form embodies profound symbolism. With four arms, he represents the union of various aspects of existence. In his top right hand, he gracefully holds a drum called a dumroo, which resonates with 108 beats, symbolizing the pulsation of the universe and the eternal rhythm of creation, preservation, and destruction. The dumroo measures the beat of the dance, representing the flow of time itself.
The Tandava, encompasses the five essential aspects of cosmic manifestation:
- ๐ฑ๐ Creation (Srishti)
- ๐ก๏ธโ Protection (Sthiti)
- ๐ฅ๐ฅ Destruction (Samhara)
- ๐๐ Hiding (Tirobhava)
- ๐๐Blessing (Anugraha)
Each movement in his divine choreography represents a cosmic event, a profound expression of the eternal cycle of existence.
The Tandava is said to consist of 108 dance poses, signifying the comprehensive and intricate nature of this cosmic ballet. Whether it's the beats of the drum or the poses in the dance, the number 108 is intricately woven into the fabric of Shiva's divine expression.
In Nataraja's depiction, Shiva's lower right hand is raised in a universal gesture of teaching, inspiring us to fearlessly embrace our true nature. His lower left arm, pointing forward in the shape of an elephant trunk, represents the elephant trunk gesture, symbolizing the breaking of new paths through the jungle of ignorance. It invites us to follow his guidance and embark on a transformative journey towards enlightenment.
If you want to see it in action, I recommend taking a look at Record of Ragnarok on Netflix, basically Gods VS Human.
๐ก From the Cosmos to Your Doorstep: 108 in Daily Life
In the theme of our number, why not give yourself a little todo, just for fun :)
- ๐งโโ๏ธ Yoga: try to incorporate the number 108 into your practice. This could mean doing 108 Sun Salutations, or maybe 108 seconds of planking
- ๐Daily Gratitude: Each day, write one thing you are grateful for. After 108 days, you basically have as many blessings of your life
- ๐ฝ๏ธ Mindful Eating: Take 108 seconds to mindfully eat your next meal. Enjoy each bite, appreciate the flavor and texture. All leading to a healthier relationship to food
- ๐ฆNature Walk: On your next walk outside, try to identify 108 different elements in nature. This could be trees, flowers, birds, sounds,... makes you appreciate it more
- ๐ฏ Personal Goals: Take any goal you have, maybe learning a new skill, amount of showers, anything. Try to achieve it in 108 days.
- ๐๏ธ Meditation: Chant AUM 108 times @108Hz
๐ Conclusion
The number 108 serves as a symbol, a metaphor for the wholeness and completeness that we strive for in our spiritual journey. It's not about the literal count of 108 sun salutations, or the exact number of beads on a mala, but rather about the completeness these practices represent. The number 108 is a reminder of the interconnectedness of the universe, the intricate dance of creation and destruction, and the eternal rhythm of existence.
In the grand cosmic dance, Shiva's Tandava, the 108 dance poses are not about the precise number, but about the comprehensive and intricate nature of this cosmic ballet. The number 108, in this context, is a symbol of the universe's infinite complexity and the boundless possibilities that lie within it.
So remember that the power of 108 lies not in the number itself, but in what it represents. It's a call to embrace the wholeness of existence, to acknowledge the interconnectedness of all things, and to strive for a state of completeness in our own lives. As we are all part of a big symphony of patterns, rhythms and dances๐ถ๐
Also I heard the author of this blog post is always open for donations. He especially likes it if the sum is $108, but $10,8 is also fine, maybe even $1,08.. ๐