In Hindu tradition, the number 108 is far more than a simple count – it is a sacred symbol of cosmic completeness. It appears in prayer beads (mala), in chants, and even in temple design, reflecting a belief that this number holds the wholeness of the universe. For example, there are 108 Upanishads (ancient Vedic texts), and Hindu gods like Shiva and Vishnu each have 108 divine names. Chanting or meditating in multiples of 108 is thought to align the devotee with universal energy, linking the finite self to the infinite. As one guide puts it, 108 is “more than just a symbol” – it represents the interconnected rhythm of all life.
The Cosmic Significance of 108
Hindu scriptures and cosmology echo the number 108 in many ways:
- Alphabet: The Sanskrit alphabet has 54 letters, each with a masculine (Shiva) and feminine (Shakti) form – 54 × 2 = 108.
- Astrology: The 12 zodiac signs and 9 planets multiply to 108.
- Cosmic Distances: Ancient scholars noted that the Sun’s diameter is about 108 times that of Earth, and the distances between Sun–Earth and Moon–Earth are roughly 108 times the respective diameters.
- Devotional Traditions: There are 108 Upanishads, and legends speak of 108 holy gopis devoted to Lord Krishna.
- Numerology: 1 + 0 + 8 = 9, the number of Navratri nights and other Hindu cycles, suggesting spiritual completeness.
In sum, 108 weaves through Hindu thought as a number of unity and perfection, symbolizing the wholeness of the universe.
Malas and Prayer Beads
Hindu worship often uses a Japa mala, a string of 108 beads, for meditation and chanting. The beads are counted one by one during a mantra cycle; an extra “guru bead” or tassel marks the start and end. According to a Times of India article, the 108 beads “carry centuries of meaning” and symbolize wholeness, reminding the practitioner they are connected to “something greater” than themselves.
Running the fingers over each of the 108 beads keeps the mind focused on the divine name or mantra, one repetition per bead. At the end of 108 recitations, the mala comes full circle back to the guru bead, reinforcing unity. Using the full 108-count enriches devotion: moving “through each bead one by one creates a full circle of intention” that grounds the mind and connects to the divine. In short, the 108 beads of the mala aren’t arbitrary – they let us literally trace out the number 108 with each prayer or breath, cementing the sacred count in practice.
Chanting Mantras 108 Times
In Hindu chanting, it’s customary to repeat a mantra or divine name 108 times. This repetition has a spiritual purpose: reciting a mantra 108 times aligns the chanter with cosmic rhythms. The digits themselves symbolize the journey:
- 1 represents the divine or unity
- 0 symbolizes completeness or emptiness
- 8 stands for infinity and the endless cycle of creation
Together, 108 encapsulates the idea of the finite meeting the infinite.
Practically, chanting a mantra 108 times is long enough to still the mind, giving a feeling of grounding, awareness, and unity with the universe. Anecdotal teachings add that if a yogi took only 108 breaths in a day, they would achieve enlightenment – a poetic way to say that 108 is a sacred number of breaths, chants, or steps through which one journeys toward higher consciousness. Thus, when chanting “Om Namah Shivaya” or any sacred phrase 108 times, the devotee symbolically recites the name of God for each part of existence, bridging personal practice with the cosmic order.
Yoga, Chakras, and Ayurveda
The sacred 108 also appears in yogic and Ayurvedic traditions:
Energy Channels (Nāḍīs): It is believed that 108 nāḍīs converge at the heart chakra, making 108 a key number for heart-centred meditation. Chanting or meditating 108 times is thought to clear and open these channels.
Marmās (Vital Points): Ayurveda teaches there are 108 marmās in the body, where tissues intersect; balancing these points is essential for life-force flow.
Heart Chakra: Said to contain 108 lines of energy, reflecting its central role in compassion.
Yogic practices incorporate 108 intentionally. Special observances, like the change of seasons or holy days, often involve completing 108 sun salutations (sūrya namaskāras) – for example, 9 rounds of the 12-step sequence, which totals 108. Completing 108 surya namaskāras or 108 mantra rounds is thought to tune the body’s rhythm to the cycle of nature. In each case, 108 reminds practitioners that their personal practice mirrors a larger cosmic pattern of 9 × 12, of body and breath measured against the sky.
Rituals and Traditions
The number 108 appears in many Hindu rites and symbols:
- Many temples are built with 108 steps leading to the shrine; climbing them is said to mirror the soul’s journey through 108 spiritual stages.
- Some traditions speak of “108 paths to God,” representing all possibilities of devotion.
- Lord Krishna’s 108 gopis exemplify complete love for God.
- The summation of 1 + 0 + 8 = 9 ties into Navratri (nine nights of worship) and other nine-day festivals, reinforcing auspiciousness.
During Maha Shivaratri, one may chant Shiva’s 108 names in a continuous vigil, and during Navaratri, 108 recitations of a goddess mantra are common. One commentator notes that one round of the mala–108 chants – forms “a full circle of intention that helps a person feel connected to the divine.” Hindu rituals use 108 as a sacred checksum: by engaging with this number, devotees symbolically include every facet of life and the cosmos in their worship.
The sacred number 108 is woven into Hindu worship as a bridge between the human and the divine. Whether it’s the 108 beads of a mala, the 108 recitations of a mantra, or the 108 steps of a temple, the count reminds us of unity and completeness. Each bead touched or syllable uttered is one small step toward the infinite. As one write-up puts it, chanting 108 repetitions “moves us closer to awareness and unity with the universe.” In using 108, Hindu practitioners honour an age-old code that everything is connected – all creation, and our own souls, are part of one vast circle.
