What is the significance of chanting Gayatri Mantra 108 times?

What is a Mantra?

Originally written in the Vedas, the mantra is made up of 24 syllables that have both a psychological and physiological effect on our body.

Sadhguru: Mantra means a sound, a certain utterance or a syllable. Today, modern science sees the entire existence as reverberations of energy, different levels of vibrations. Where there is a vibration, there is bound to be a sound. So, that means, the entire existence is a kind of sound, or a complex amalgamation of sounds–the whole existence is an amalgamation of multiple mantras. Of these, we have identified a few mantras or a few sounds, which could be like keys. If you use them in a certain way, they become a key to open up a different dimension of life and experience within you.

Who is Gayatri?

It is mentioned in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna tells Arjun, “I am the Gayatri.”

Gayatri Devi is the universal divine mother. Goddess Gayatri is seated on a blooming red lotus. We normally see her with five heads and ten eyes, which cast their glances in all directions. In her ten arms, she holds all the weapons of the great trinity, Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. There are various interpretations for her forms. She is seen as the combined divine aspect of the three supreme Goddesses, Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati and the very form of Adi Shakti, the primordial feminine energy.

What is Gayatri Mantra?

Om Bhur Bhuvaḥ Swaḥ

Tat-savitur Vareñyaṃ

Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi

Dhiyo Yonaḥ Prachodayāt

Gayatri Mantra was first recorded in the Rig Veda 2500-3000 years ago.

General meaning: We meditate on that most adored Supreme Lord, the creator, whose effulgence (divine light) illumines all realms (physical, mental, and spiritual). May this divine light illumine our intellect.

Word meaning:

Om: The primeval sound

 Bhur: the physical body/physical realm

 Bhuvah: the life force/the-mental realm

 Suvah: the soul/spiritual realm

 Tat:  That (God)

 Savitur: the Sun, Creator (source of all life)

Vareñyam: adore

 Bhargo: effulgence (divine light)

 Devasya: supreme Lord

 Dhīmahi: meditate

Dhiyo: the intellect

Yo: May this light

Nah: our

 Prachodayāt: illumine/inspire.

Why should one chant the mantra 108 times?

There are many answers to this question;

1- The significance of the number 108 signifies the ecliptic ways of the sun and moon to the distances and diameter of the earth, sun, and moon. To recite a mantra they say 108 times helps bring in harmony with the vibrations of the Universe.

2- As for the number 108, the individual numbers 1, 0, and 8 represent one thing, nothing, and everything (infinity). 108 represents the ultimate reality of the universe as being simultaneously one, emptiness, and infinite.

3- According to Ayurveda, we have 108 marma points (vital points of life forces) in our body

4- Hinduism has 108 Upanishads, the sacred texts of wisdom from ancient sages.

5- In the Sanskrit alphabet, there are 54 letters. Each letter has a feminine, or Shakti, and masculine, or Shiva, quality. 54 multiplied by 2 equals 108.

6- In Buddhism, there are 108 Earthly desires, 108 lies, and 108 delusions of the mind.

7-Hindu deities have 108 names

8- In Jainism there are believed to be 108 virtues

9- In China, some forms of Tai Chi have 108 moves

10- India is said to have 108 sacred sites

There are many physical benefits of chanting Gayatri Mantra such as improved concentration, better immunity, better breathing pattern, anti-depressant, and glowing skin. Spiritually, of all the Mantras, the Supreme and the most potent power of powers is the glorious Gayatri Mantra.

The ancient texts state that meditation with the Gayatri Mantra develops within you the feeling of constantly living in the divine state of pure consciousness. It is said that meditation with the Gayatri Mantra burns away all the layers of impurities covering the mind, accumulated through countless births, and gives you the vision of supreme consciousness. – Deepak Chopra