Why are there exactly 108 beads on a mala? Whether you are using a Sandalwood vs. Rosewood mala, the count remains the same. The 108 beads significance stretches from ancient astronomy to the very biology of the human body.
1. The Astronomy of 108
Ancient Vedic mathematicians discovered that the distance between the Earth and the Sun is approximately 108 times the Sun’s diameter. By chanting 108 times, we are symbolically aligning our internal rhythm with the rhythm of the universe.
2. The 108 Energy Lines
In yogic philosophy, there are 108 “Nadis” (energy lines) that converge to form the heart chakra.
- The Practice: Chanting a mantra 108 times is believed to clear these energy paths, leading to the 7 life-changing benefits of Japa.
3. The Math of the “Sumeru”
As we noted in the mystery of the 109th bead, the Sumeru is not counted. It serves as the “anchor” that holds the 108 together, representing the stillness from which all sound arises.
While completing a full round is traditional, it is better to do 27 or 54 beads with full focus than 108 with a distracted mind.