Significance of 108

The number 108 has always held a mysterious aura and has been considered special in Indian spirituality. A japa mala (rosary) has 108 beads (or 54). The number 108 also comes in the title of spiritual leaders in India. I was curious about the significance of this number and decided to use google to search for an explanation.

There are 9 planets and 12 houses according to indian astrology. And these create 108 different influences on the individual. Another way of looking at it would be 27 nakshatras and the 4 directions would create 108 different influences. Maybe some people wouldnt believe in astrology – how would i be able to get across to them too.

I fell upon an old email that I had save in a folder titled ‘interesting’. And it turned out to be really interesting. Look at the following facts.

Mean Distance of Sun from Earth: 149.60 million km
Mean Diameter of the Sun: 1.39 million km

Ratio (rounded off to the nearest integer) : 108 !!!!
If you are wondering where the data is from – its from NASA (click here).

Thats not all.

Moon diameter : 3474.8 Km
Distance of moon from earth : Varies from 356,400 km to 406,700 km.

Ratio : 102 to 117 – Average : 109 !!!

Thats still not all !!!

Equatorial Diameter of earth : 12756 km
Ratio of diameter of sun to diameter of earth : 109 !!!

The ancient Indians were excellent mathematicians and 108 is:

1 x (2×2) x (3x3x3) = 1 x 4 x 27 = 108

Still more:

Average human respiratory rate : 15 breaths a minute

So in a day (24 hrs ) : 15 x 60 x 24 = 21600 = 108 x 200

Isnt it amazing!!!!