Magic of 108

Zodiac is a path on which the planets travel. Entire path is divided into 27 nakshatras. Each having 4 padas. Our sages multiplied this number of nakshatras (27) by four and fixed the resultant number (108) as the required number of beads in a rosary. In astrology 1 day and 1 night together makes 1 ahoratra. A human being breathes 21600 times in an Ahoratra. Classics advice that a person tells a rosary with 108 beads at least once in a day simultaneously chanting the Lord's name, all the breaths find a purpose. If rosary is told with proper rituals, it yields hundred times more benefits. By proper rituals, it means telling of rosary at least 100 times a day. Thus it equals (108 x 100) to 10800 i.e. equal to half the number of breaths during an Ahoratra which is requirement number for human to devote his breaths in god’s name. Another view is that in Sanskrit, the language of God has 54 letters. Each has masculine and feminine, Shiva and shakti. 54 times 2 is 108.It is believe that the human soul goes through 108 stages on the journey to God. In Ayurveda there are a 108 marmas in the body. They are points that can heal or kill a living being. When we say 108 mantras it acts as a Kavach (protection) to each point. If we add the number we get the total of 9.Nine is sometimes connected to Ketu, the moksa Karaka (significator of liberation), the planet that brings higher awareness, expanded vision and moksha (liberation). In the Durga Saptasati, the goddess Durga has nine forms known as the Navadurga. The number 9 is connected to the goddess Durga.In Hindu jyotish it is godess Durga who guards the prana of the body.

Tulsi-Ek Shakti

In the Hinduism, Tulsi(a plant,basil) is very dear to Lord Vishnu. It is believe that one who worship lord Vishnu with Tulsi leaves, is dear to lord Vishnu. That is why Tulsi is also known as “Vishnu priya”.The month of Kaartik is very important for tulsi pooja. On ekadashi tithi of kaartik shukal paksh devotees celebrates the marriage ceremony of Tulsi with lord Vishnu. This is called Tulsi vivah. Lord Vishnu granted boon to Tulsi that a place is considered to be the most sacred pilgrimage where exists the holy Tulsi plant. It is believed that the lord of death does not dare to enter a place, where exists a holy basil plant. If one take bath with water, in which basil leaves have been mixed, gives virtues similar to that of all the pilgrimage. The deities and all the places of pilgrimages have their dwelling places in whole of the basil-plant. Even the soil underneath the holy basil plant is of such great importance, that if it is applied on the forehead, all the sins of a man gets destroyed. Wearing a string of beads consisting of basil-seeds makes a man free from the fears of death. Medically it is proved that the Tulsi plant is helpful in curing many diseases. Some important consideration has to be kept in mind while doing Tulsi pooja.There are some days during which it is prohibited to pluck or water Tulsi leaves. They are Sundays,Amavasya,Dwadashi,Sakraanti(Transit of sun into new sign). The leaves should be collected before the prohibited time.

The Jap Maala

A mala is a garland of beads used for counting the mantras recited during prayer. Generally it consists of 108 beads. As per Hinduism the number of mantras recited during meditation is very important. The mala helps in keeping the track of counting. In the mala there is one extra bead which is bigger than the rest of beads. This special bead is called “ Sumeru”. This bead act as a indicator of starting point as well as ending point. The counting should begin from the next bead to this bead in a clockwise direction. For doing prayer for more than one mala , the direction of moving the mala changes in the second round. In any case the Sumeru bead is never crossed. Make sure that the index finger is not used while recitation. There are different kinds of mala used by followers of different faiths as well as for different purposes. For example
1) The rudraksha mala is used by the disciples of Lord Shiva
2) Tulsi mala is used by the followers of Lord Vishnu
3) Kamal-gatta(Lotus seed) mala for goddess lakshmi
4) kusha mala for purification of sins
5) Putra-jeeva mala for children
6) Sankh mala for tantric kriya
7) Haldi mala- for curing jaundice
8) Vyaghra-nakh mala for removing evil eye