Why are there 108 beads in a rosary? Mala

Why are there 108 beads in a rosary?

According to numerology, the numbers from 1 to 9 are the symbols of the nine planets. Similarly, philosophy has also explained the meaning of numbers. It is said that at the World Religion Conference in Chicago, Swami Vivekananda had a discussion on zero I was asked to speak. Zero (0) is the symbol of attributeless Brahma and the number 1 is the symbol of God who appears as Tridev but in reality he is only one. The difference in name and form is due to the difference in function. The entire nature is contained in the number 8.

भूमिरापोनलोवायुः रवं मनोबुद्धि रेव च। अहंकार इतीयं में भिन्नाप्रकृतिरष्टधा ॥

That is, earth, water, fire, air, sky, mind, intellect and ego- these are my 8 types of nature.

The secret behind the number 108 is that through this, a living being can achieve worldly things, have the darshan of God and experience the Brahma element - whatever he wants. A rosary of 108 beads has been accepted on the basis of the number of our breaths. A person breathes 21600 times in 24 hours. If 12 hours are spent in daily routine, then the remaining 12 hours are left for worshiping God. That is, 10800 breaths should be used for remembering one's Ishtadev. But it is not possible for everyone to give this much time. Therefore, by removing the last two zeros from this number, the recognition of remembering God was given in the remaining 108 breaths.

According to another belief, the Sun changes 216000 (two lakh sixteen thousand) phases in a year. The Sun remains in Uttarayan and Dakshinayan every 6 months.  Thus, in 6 months, the total phases of the Sun are 108000 (one lakh eight thousand). On removing the last three zeros, we get the number 108, hence the 108 beads in the rosary symbolize one phase of the Sun.

According to the third belief, astrology connects them with 12 zodiac signs and 9 planets. The product of 12 zodiac signs and 9 planets comes to 108, that is, the number 108 represents the movement of the whole universe. The fourth belief is based on the discovery of 27 constellations by Indian sages. Each constellation has 4 phases, hence the product of their number comes to 108 which is considered to be extremely sacred. The use of the number 108 before the name of saints and great men also indicates that they have direct and indirect knowledge regarding nature, God and Brahma. But now, since it has become a tradition, it is being used in the sense of respect.