The 108 Number
The number 108 is sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism and other Dharmic religions.
The ancient Indians were excellent mathematicians and 108 is the product of a precise mathematical operation (eg 1 power 1 x 2 power 2 x 3 power 3 = 108) which was thought to have special numerological significance.
Another numerological property of this number is the fact that it is related to the Powers of 1, 2 and 3 to 1st power = 1: 2 to 2nd power = 4 (2x2); 3 to 3rd power = 27 (3x3x3); 1x4x27 = 108
Also the chakras are the intersections of energy lines and there are said to be a total of 108 energy lines converging to form the heart chakra. One of them, Shushumna leads to the crown chakra and is said to be the path of self-realisation.
In astrology the 108 number is also very important, there are 12 constellations and 9 are segments called Namshas or Chandrakalas 9 x 12 = 108. Chandra is moon and kalas are the division within a whole.
In astrology there are 12 houses and 9 planets 12 x 9 = 108
The diameter of the sun is 108 times the diameter of the Earth.
In Chinese astrology, the Tao philosophy holds that there are 108 sacred stars.
In Islam, the number 108 is used to refer to God.
This number is also present in other fields, like mathematics, where the interior angles of an equilateral pentagon measure 108 degrees each. Also 108 is what the mathematics call a Harshad number, a Harshad number is an integer that is divisible by the sum of its digits.
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