- By Kashish Rai
- Wed, 19 Nov 2025 03:10 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Mantras hold special significance in Sanatan Dharma. Chanting mantras is said to have the power to transform a person's body and soul. In Hinduism, the rosary we use for chanting mantras has 108 beads. The number 108 holds immense significance in the Hindu scriptures. There are many religious, astrological, and scientific beliefs behind the 108 beads of a rosary.
The question often arises: why are mantras always chanted 108 times? And why is the number 108 considered so sacred? Today, we will uncover the answer to this question below:
The Relationship Between 108 Beads Of Rosary And Lord Surya
According to a belief, there is a deep connection between the 108 beads of a rosary and the phases of the Sun. The Sun changes phases 216,000 times in a year and also changes its position twice. It remains in Uttarayan for six months and Dakshinayan for six months. Therefore, in a single six-month period, the Sun changes phases 108,000 times.
The rosary's 108 beads have been determined by removing the last three zeros from this number, 108000. Each bead of the rosary symbolises one phase of the Sun. Surya Dev, or the Sun is what makes a person radiant and brings respect in society. The Sun is a visible deity, which is why the number of beads has been determined to be 108 based on the Sun's phases.
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Astrology Beliefs Surrounding The Number 108
According to astrology, the universe is divided into 12 parts. These 12 parts are named Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Nine planets: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu, move through these 12 zodiac signs. Therefore, multiplying the number of planets, 9, by the number of zodiac signs, 12, gives 108.
Henceforth, 108 comprises the ultimate reality of the universe and hence is considered the best number for doing mantra jaap.
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Chanting mantras 108 times on a rosary bead is considered highly auspicious and meritorious in Hinduism. (Image Source: Canva)
The Relationship Of 108 With Breathing Patterns
The scriptures state that the number of beads on a rosary (108) is related to the number of breaths a healthy person takes throughout the day. Normally, a person breathes approximately 21,600 times in 24 hours. Of the 24 hours, 12 are spent on daily activities, and in the remaining 12, a person breathes 10,800 times. During this time, one should meditate on deities.
According to the scriptures, one should meditate on God 10,800 times with each breath, i.e., the time allotted for worship, 10,800 times in 12 hours, but this is not practically possible. Therefore, the number 108 has been determined for chanting by removing the last two zeros from the 10,800 breaths. Based on this number, a rosary contains 108 beads, and a person must chant the mantras 108 times.
The Representation Of 108 As The Entire Universe
The 108 beads of a rosary are believed to represent the entire universe. Some Hindu beliefs suggest that the sages have explained the astrological reason behind the 108 beads in a rosary. According to astrology, there are a total of 27 constellations. Each constellation has four phases, and the total phases of the 27 constellations is 108. Therefore, each bead of the rosary represents a phase of a constellation.
The significance of the number 108 in Hinduism and Hindu astrology has varied meanings and interpretations. Therefore, according to the above-mentioned reasons, the sages and influential people in Sanatan Dharma have always stressed upon chanting the mantras 108 times using a rosary bead.
(Disclaimer: This content includes advice providing generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified spiritual or astrological opinion. Always consult a specialist for more information before adopting any measures.)