Significance of Number 108 in Astronomy, Mathematics and Indian Culture

The significance of the number 108 can be seen repetitively in Astronomy and Astrology :

1. The diameter of the sun is about 108 times that of the earth. OR the ratio of diameter of Sun to diameter of Earth is 108. 

(diameter of Sun) / (diameter of Earth) = (1382700Km)/(12742Km) ~ 108

2. The average distance between earth and Sun is 108 times the Sun's Diameter. OR the ratio of average distance from earth to sun to the diameter of the Sun is 108.

(distance from earth to Sun) / ( Diameter of Sun)

 = (150.18 million Km) /(1.3927 million km) ~ 108

3. The average distance from Earth to the Moon is 238800 miles about 108 times the moon's      diameter.

This makes it So the Moon appears the Same size as that of Sun during Eclipses.

Mathematically and Geometrically :

1. 108 is a Harshad Number*.

   i.e, (108)/(1+0+8) = 12  OR 1+0+8 and 108 both are divisible by 9.

2. The number is related to 5 . Every angle of Pentagon is 108 degrees.

3. The repeating series of 24 digits of Fibonacci series are 1,1,2,3,5,8,4,3,7,1,8,9,8,8,7,6,4,1,5,6,2,8,1

    if we add these 24 digits we get 108.

4. 366 days in sideral year , 3X 6 X 6 = 108.

5. The powers of 1,2,3 

    i.e, 1 to the power of 1 , 2 to the power of 2 , 3 to the power of 3 

    if we multiply these 1X4X27 we get 108.

*( A Harshad number or Niven number in a given number base is an integer that is divisible by the Sum of its digits when written in that base )

Significance of 108 in Indian culture :

1. The Sanskrit language has 54 letters , both representing the two genders and they are called Shiva (masculine) and Shakthi( feminine) . When we multiply 54 by 2 then the product is 108.
2. In SantanaDharma , we have 27 Nakshatram where every living thing is born in anyone of these Nakshatram .Each have 4 padam, when we multiply 27 by 4  then the product is 108.
3. there are 108 Puranas and 108 Upanishads.
4. In Ayurveda , there are 108 'Marma' points that are vital for giving life to living beings.
5. In Tantra, It is estimated that every day we breathe 21,600 times out of which 10,800 are solar energy .108X 100 = 10800 

Therefore Number 108 is considered as Sacred number and Meditators count Mantra Repetitions with mala Beads of 108 and Yogis do 108 Sun salutations.

                                                     -PVGANIGA



Listen to : 
Nonstop Mathugalu on Anchor.fm