Why Are Mantras Chanted 108 Times?

Have you ever wondered why mantras are traditionally repeated 108 times? In all of my years of teaching Sanskrit mantra meditation to beginners and at workshops & festivals all over the world, this is one of my most common frequently asked questions. Normally, I just say that "it's traditional" because to delve into all of the reasons why mantras are changed 108 times is kinda nerdy, and to some people, kinda woo-woo! (And I like to keep things fact-based, evidence-based, and rational when I'm working with the therapeutic power of sound and mantra.)

However, to satisfy our curiosity it's at least helpful to understand the "why" of the number 108. And the "why" of the number 54 for the Christian rosary.

This number, deeply revered across multiple spiritual traditions in the East and the West, holds significance on several levels—spiritual, numerical, cosmic, and astrological. In the practice of nada yoga and mantra meditation, the vibration of our self-created sound merges with the essential musicality of the cosmos.

Music is mathematics.

It's all about intervals, divisions, elegance, and infinite possibilities. Therefore it's quite interesting to consider the sacred number, 108, as offering potential insight to deeper resonance within our own sound journey.

At Heart of Sound, we encourage exploring the holistic essence of sound. And part of that exploration is understanding why 108 may not be just a random figure but offer insight into ancient wisdom. Let’s explore the numerological, cosmological, and mystical reasons behind chanting mantras 108 times.

Beware... I asked for a little help in writing this, and it gets a little woo-woo into mysticism and symbolism at times. LOL! I don't emphasize that stuff much, but for those of you who think the math is simply COOL, and are are curious why 108 is such an important number in yogic culture and Christianity (54 rosaries, anyone?) read on:

The Numerological Sacred Geometry of 108

In Vedic tradition, numbers carry vibrational power. The number 108 is considered a “Harshad” number, meaning it is divisible by the sum of its digits (1+0+8=9). The number 9 is seen as a symbol of wholeness, completion, and the cycle of life, connecting with spiritual growth and realization.

On a mathematical level, the digits 1, 0, and 8 each hold their own importance. 

 The number 1 symbolizes the unity of the universe, the source from which all creation springs. 

 The number 0 represents emptiness or nothingness, a cosmic void pregnant with potential. 

 And the number 8, when flipped horizontally, forms the infinity symbol—a reminder of the infinite cycles of life, death, and rebirth. 

Together, 108 serves as a complete number, embodying the flow from creation to dissolution and back again.

Astronomical Cosmic Significance: The Universe in Numbers

Our universe is vast, and some of its intricate designs are reflected in the patterns of 108:

 Did you know that the distance between the Earth and the Sun is approximately 108 times the diameter of the Sun? 

 Similarly, the distance between the Earth and the Moon is about 108 times the diameter of the Moon. 

 The Sun, Moon, and Earth, all tied together by this sacred ratio, mirror a divine harmony in the macrocosm.

This astronomical numerical alignment of 108 signifies our connection with universal cycles. When we chant mantras 108 times, we can intentionally align ourselves with OUR PLACE in the rhythm of the universe. The vibration of the mantra resonates not only within us but with the fundamental vibrations of the cosmos, amplifying the transformative power of sound.

The other night I had a beach fire with my boyfriend and we watched the fading Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (see it below?), and saw our neighbor galaxy Andromeda with our naked eyes, and saw a blazing meteor streak orange across the night sky. I thought about our ancestors who had seen that same comet 80,000 years ago, and how their ENTIRE entertainment and educational "content creator" was the rhythmic musical dance of the stars. While I don't believe in superstitions that have been disproven by evidence, I DO believe that our ancestors knew FAR MORE than we do now about the rhythms of nature, and our place in it. If they think 108 is a sacred number for repeating mantras, I'll take their word for it!

Astrological Insights: Aligning with the Stars

From an astrological perspective, the number 108 also holds deep meaning. There are 12 zodiac signs and 9 planets in Vedic astrology, and when multiplied, we once again arrive at 108. In Jyotish Vedic Astrology, these numbers represent the full spectrum of human experience, influencing our karmic patterns, challenges, and potentials.

When we chant a mantra 108 times, we symbolically work through the energies of all the zodiac signs and planets, harmonizing ourselves with the cosmic dance of celestial bodies. The vibration of the mantra helps us transcend the limitations imposed by these planetary influences, creating a higher state of consciousness and balance.

The Power of Mālā Beads

In mantra meditation, practitioners often use a mālā, a string of 108 beads, to count repetitions. The use of a mālā serves as a physical anchor, helping the mind stay focused and the practice grounded. Each bead represents one repetition of the mantra, and as you move through the mālā, you journey deeper into the vibration of the sound as it penetrates deeper into the layers of your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual being.

The final bead, often called the “guru bead” or “bindu,” signifies the point of connection with the divine or the inner teacher. When you reach this bead after chanting 108 times, it symbolizes the completion of a cycle, a moment of wholeness and unity with the universe. That's a time to pause and listen into the silence after the sound (the Heart of Sound, as we call it!) and see if your heart, your conscience, has anything important to remind you of. (For me, sometimes this is a clear "A-ha" moment or a solution to a problem I've been churning with. Often it's simply an enhanced warm feeling of OK-ness that spreads through me from the inside out. 

In other words, don't get so caught up in the chanting of the mantra that you forget to listen to the heart of the sound.

😆 Fun fact! Mala means 💩

You'll often see the string of beads referred to as a "mala."
Did you know that the word mala (short A sounds) means 💩💩💩💩 ?
Yup. You heard it here, folks!

Spelling matters in Sanskrit just as much as in any other language! If you see someone selling "malas" instead of mālās, you might want to ask them if they have a solid waste disposal permit for that. LOL! Not to be the Sanskrit police or anything, but if your yoga teacher trainer is calling the string of beads you chant mantra on a "mala" (instead of mālā, with a long A sound on both syllables), that's a dogwhistle red flag that they are not qualified to be teaching you Sanskrit mantra chanting or  Sanskrit yogāsana names for poses.

It's Woo-woo Time! The "Spiritual" Dimension of 108

On a metaphysical level, 108 represents the path of spiritual awakening. In yogic tradition, there are said to be 108 energy lines, or nadis, converging in the heart cakra. It is said that we chant a mantra 108 times, we are going around the whole wheel with its 108 "spokes" so to speak, activating these subtle energy channels, clearing blockages, and opening the heart to its potential.

Moreover, in some paths of Buddhism, there are said to be108 defilements or obstacles to overcome on the path to enlightenment. Chanting a mantra 108 times serves as a powerful tool for purifying these mental and emotional states, bringing the practitioner closer to union.

In India, 108 is also the emergency telephone number! I took this picture of an ambulance in Punjab, North India while I was studying nada yoga with my music Guruji.

A Parallel in Christianity: The 54 Beads of the Rosary

Interestingly, the Christian tradition also incorporates the use of sacred numbers in prayer, as seen in the rosary, which typically has 54 beads. The rosary is a tool for meditative prayer for Catholics, where each bead represents a repetition of prayers like the "Hail Mary" or the "Our Father." The structure of the rosary is divided into sets of 10 beads, called "decades," which are often used to meditate on the life and mysteries of Christ. The 54 beads reflect a symbolic journey through the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries—completing 18 prayers for each set. When these 54 beads are doubled (to account for the full circle of prayer), it brings the count to 108, echoing the ancient recognition of this number as a symbol of wholeness, completion, and spiritual progression. This subtle mirroring between Christian and Eastern traditions reveals how universal the relationship between prayer, repetition, and sacred numbers truly is.

Conclusion: My Pragmatic Take on 108 (It's simply A LOT!)

Personally, I feel that there may be MANY more than 108 energy lines (and obstacles for that matter), and the numerological and astronomical and astrological connections are cool. But the most practical level (that's me!) 108 repetitions of mantra is a great goal. A simpler way to think of it (without getting too precious about the number 108 if that doesn't resonate with you or help you, is to say "IT'S A LOT.") 

For a shorter mantra like Aum Namaḥ Sivaya, 108 a manageable number of repetitions to start your day with. (10-15 minutes). For a longer mantra like the Savitri Gayatri, 108 rounds would take 45-minutes to an hour (depending on how fast you chant).

In this video, Anandra guides us through a gentle vocal warm up and attunement, leading into the sacred Sanskrit Mantra: Auṁ Namaḥ Śivāya (Our reverent salutation to the auspiciousness and peace of our true infinite nature). For a shorter mantra like Aum Namaḥ Sivaya, 108 a manageable number of repetitions to start your day with. (10-15 minutes). For a longer mantra like the Sāvitrī Gāyatrī, 108 rounds would take 45-minutes to an hour (depending on how fast you chant).

Experiencing a whole-life transformation through sound-based yoga practices takes A LOT of steadiness, dedication, and consistency. There are A LOT of potential pitfalls and obstacles along the way. But the transformative power of sound opens up A LOT, too!

Final Tip:

Don't let a perfect 108 mantra repetitions be the enemy of GOOD ENOUGH!

Maybe the number 108 is just a manageable number for us to get our heads wrapped around to be able to start changing our mental habits, because if we started off with 189,453 repetitions (random number) it would be too overwhelming and we wouldn't start. 

I say start wherever you're at. 5 minutes, 10 minutes. 21 rounds, 54 rounds, 108 rounds. Anything is better than nothing!

Sanskrit Mantra Yoga for Beginners and lovers of sacred sound. 

Learn more with this introductory series from the Heart of Sound.

Experience the profound difference when you properly chant using Sanskrit letters and understand "the least you need to know" about Sanskrit to get the most out of your mantra meditation practice.

When you chant in Sanskrit, specific mouth and tongue placements result in certain neural pathways being stimulated. Because of this, you don’t need to understand the “meaning” to feel the power of a mantra. The vibration of the word IS the meaning. The name IS the form (or vibrational pattern).

I have invited thousands of students across the globe to explore this, and I’m delighted that they all report the same sensations when they explore the different mantric syllables, which perfectly match the esoteric meaning.

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