Mantra such as ‘Sanskrit’ is recommended to be chanted 108 times to make it more effective.This is based on Vedic and Tantric traditions which say 108 is a very special number of repetitions more powerful than other repetitions such as 107, or 109 for instance.
At least 6 religions in the world, chant their prayers and mantra 108 times. These are Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, Jain, Sihk and Islamic religions. They all use a string of prayer beads called ‘mala’ consists of 108 beads or knots. Though Christians’ rosary has only 54 beads excluding the tail, the number derived from the 108.
How does 108 repetitions came out? Ancient Vedic writings mention some contexts about the origin of 108 number.
The Sanskrit alphabet h
as 54 letters which each has a ‘masculine/feminine’ or ‘shiva/shakti’ aspect.That means we multiply 54 by 2 equivalent to 108.
The sacred geometrical configuration known as the ‘Sri Yantra’ has points called “marmas” where three lines intersect, and there are 54 such intersections. Each intersection also has masculine/feminine or shiva/shakti qualities.
The 108 repetitions can be explained based on the energy intersections of the human body which is similar to the chakras. The energy intersections are called ‘marmas or masmastanas’. There are said to be 108 marmas in the subtle body and there are total of 108 main energy lines or nadis that radiate from the heart chakra. Therefore the number 108 is related to the Sri Yantra as well as the human body.
Other context of number 108 origin are as follows:
1. The diameter of the sun which is 108 times the diameter of the Earth.
2. In astrology, there are 12 houses and 9 planets.
3. In the Krishna tradition, there were said to be 108 gopis or maidservants of Krishna.
4. There are 108 forms of traditional Indian dance.
5. In the Vedas there are 108 Upanishads as listed in the Muktikopanishad.
6. There is said to be 108 Tantric texts.
7. Ancient texts say that the Atman, the human soul, passes through 108 different stages on its path to enlightenment.
Researchers of the ancient writings have difficulty of knowing and explaining in a very logical way, why 108 repetitions of a mantra ‘enhances its efficacy.’ Mostly they can’t really explain in a scientific way the significance of the number 108 repetitions.
But ancient mystics would just say that the number 108 is in synchronicity with the rhythms of time and space. Everytime we use it, we are saluting the order of the Universe and aligning our intentions with the Divine Will.
