Mala beads traditionally have 108 beads. The largest bead, in the center, is known as the guru. It is said to hold the energy generated during your practice. The number is often described as the numerical equivalent of “Om,” one of the most important spiritual sounds in meditation. Also, the relationship between your inner and outer environment is described by the 108 beads. Mala beads have great spiritual meaning, which makes them an important piece of mindful meditation and yoga practices. They can have a big effect on how you approach your mental health by helping you focus your thoughts on finding your true inner self.
The number 108 has long been considered sacred in many religions around the world. Many people often do 108 Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar). Renowned mathematicians of Vedic culture viewed 108 as a number of the wholeness of existence.
1, 0, and 8: Some say that 1 stands for God or higher Truth, 0 stands for emptiness or completeness in spiritual practice, and 8 stands for infinity or eternity.
The number 108 also connects the Sun, Moon, and Earth: The average distance of the Sun and the Moon to Earth is 108 times their respective diameters. Such phenomena have given rise to many examples of ritual significance.
Sun and Earth: The diameter of the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Earth. The distance from the Sun to the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Sun. The mala is believed to maintain our harmony with the sun and moon energies effecting our quality of life and good health.
Moon and Earth: The average distance of the Moon from the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Moon. The mala is believed to maintain our harmony with the sun and moon energies effecting our quality of life and good health.
Silver and the moon: In astrology, the metal silver is said to represent the moon. The atomic weight of silver is 108.
Energy Chakras: 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 wearing a mala that reaches till the heart supports the vital flow of energy through ‘seat of the self’, as taught in traditional Yoga.
Body Temperature: 108 degrees Fahrenheit is the maximum internal temperature the body can maintain it’s function, it is believed the mala balances and maintains the body’s inner harmony, and heat and can help us avoid illness.
Pranayama: If one is able to be so calm in meditation as to have only 108 breaths in a day, enlightenment will come.
Meditations: Some say there are 108 styles of meditation.
Astrology: In astrology, there are 12 houses and 9 planets. 12 times 9 equals 108. A mala is often worn to alleviate the influence of the planets or ‘stars’ in our life and thus avoid afflictions and the problems generally predicted in ones astrological chart.
108 is said to refer to the number of Hindu goddesses or deities
The Sikh tradition has a mala of 108 knots tied in a string of wool, rather than beads.
Some Buddhists carve 108 small Buddha’s on a walnut for good Courage. Some ring a bell 108 times to celebrate a new year. There are said to be 108 virtues to cultivate and 108 defilements to avoid.
The Chinese Buddhists and Taoists use a 108-bead mala, which is called ‘su-chu. Chinese astrology says that there are 108 sacred stars.
Japanese Rituals, During Japanese New Year Services, a bell is rung 108 times.
Stages of the soul, It is believed that the ‘Atmaan’, the human soul, goes through 108 stages on the journey.
Mistry 