History

Importance of number 108

September 12, 2013 RimpleSanchla History post

When we see number of beads in vara mala/vrata mala, number of names of God and Goddess, I always wondered there should be some prominence for 108 which I do not know. Why do we give so much importance to 108 in Hinduism? Why 108 is so sacred for Hindus? Here is a brief explanation of the use and importance of this number:

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 average distance of the Moon from the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Moon.

In Ayurveda, there are 108 “Marma” points that are vital for giving life to living beings.

The powerful Sri Chakra yantra intersects in 54 points each with a masculine and feminine quality, totalling to 108

In Indian astrology we have 12 houses and 9 plants. 12 times 9 equals to 108.

In Tantra, it is estimated that every day we breathe 21,600 times out of which 10,800 are solar energy and 10, 800 are lunar energy. Multiplying 108 X 100 is 10,800.

The famous saint Bharata wrote “The Natya Shastra” which has 108 karanas (Movement of hand and feet)

There are 54 letters in Sanskrit each can be mentioned as masculine (Shiva) and feminine (Shakti) aspect, totalling to 108.

There are 108 Puranas and 108 Upanishads.

9 times 12: Both of these numbers have been said to have spiritual significance in many traditions. 9 times 12 is 108. Also, 1 plus 8 equals 9. That 9 times 12 equals 108.

Powers of 1, 2, and 3 in math: 1 to 1st power=1; 2 to 2nd power=4 (2×2); 3 to 3rd power=27 (3x3x3). 1x4x27=108
Harshad number: 108 is a Harshad number, which is an integer divisible by the sum of its digits (Harshad is from Sanskrit, and means “great joy”)

Desires:
There are said to be 108 earthly desires in mortals.

Lies:
There are said to be 108 lies that humans tell.
Delusions: There are said to be 108 human delusions or forms of ignorance.

Heart Chakra:
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. One of them, sushumna leads to the crown chakra, and is said to be the path to Self-realization.

Pranayama:
If one is able to be so calm in meditation as to have only 108 breaths in a day, enlightenment will come.

Sri Yantra:
On the Sri Yantra there are marmas where three lines intersect, and there are 54 such intersections. Each intersection has masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti qualities. 54 times 2 equal 108. Thus, there are 108 points that define the Sri Yantra as well as the human body.

Pentagon:
The angle formed by two adjacent lines in a pentagon equals 108 degrees.

Time:
Some say there are 108 feelings, with 36 related to the past, 36 related to the present, and 36 related to the future.

Astrology:
There are 12 constellations, and 9 arc segments called namshas or chandrakalas. 9 times 12 equal 108. Chandra is moon, and kalas are the divisions within a whole.

River Ganga:
The sacred River Ganga spans a longitude of 12 degrees (79 to 91), and latitude of 9 degrees (22 to 31). 12 times 9 equal 108.

Gopis of Krishna:
There were said to be 108 gopis or maid servants of Krishna.

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.

Silver and the moon:
In astrology, the metal silver is said to represent the moon. The atomic weight of silver is 108.

Numerical scale:
The 1 of 108, and the 8 of 108, when added together equals 9, which is the number of the numerical scale, i.e. 1, 2, 3 … 10, etc., where 0 is not a number.

Meditations:
Some say there are 108 styles of meditation.
Paths to God: Some suggest that there are 108 paths to God.

Jain:
In the Jain religion, 108 are the combined virtues of five categories of holy ones, including 12, 8, 36, 25, and 27 virtues respectively.

Sikh:
The Sikh tradition has a mala of 108 knots tied in a string of wool, rather than beads.

Buddhism:
Some Buddhists carve 108 small Buddhas on a walnut for good luck. 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.

Chinese:
The Chinese Buddhists and Taoists use a 108 bead mala, which is called su-chu, and has three dividing beads, so the mala is divided into three parts of 36 each. Chinese astrology says that there are 108 sacred stars.

Stages of the soul:
Said that Atman, the human soul or center goes through 108 stages on the journey.

Meru:
This is a larger bead, not part of the 108. It is not tied in the sequence of the other beads. It is the guiding bead, the one that marks the beginning and end of the mala.

Praiseworthy souls:
There are 108 qualities of praiseworthy souls.

Japan:
In Japan, at the end of the year, a bell is chimed 108 times to finish the old year and welcome the new one. Each ring represents one of 108 earthly temptations a person must overcome to achieve nirvana.

108 signifies the wholeness of the divinity, perfect totality.

Diversity – The very pulse of India (Happy Festivals)

July 20, 2012 RimpleSanchla History post

Today is the beginning of my favorite month.
Just like in god’s we have lord vishnu, in month’s we have “Shravana” or “Saawan”…..
And what makes this most unique is:
1. It marks the beginning of festival season
2. It’s a month where people take “Baadha”, start reading religious texts and scriptures, worship and indulge in allied activities. It is considered as the most Holy / “Parvitra” month.
3. According to Hinduism, Jainism, Muslims, Sikhism, Sindhis, this is the most important and holy because of various festivals of like

Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, Naag panchami,

Sitala satam / Thadri,

Paryushan / Atthai / Dashlakshana Parva, Chaturmaas period (although its for 4 months of monsoon, but still it is also in shravana month)

Ramzan month / Eid, Shab-e-Barat (not really in shravana month, but near to it. It is night of forgiveness, just like in jainism we have michhami dukkadam)

Parsi New Year,

Avani Avittam/Upakarmam, Kajari Navami, Nariyal Purnima, Kajli Teej, and Pavitropana

Chaliho Sahib (forty days fast period in Sindhis)

Diggi Pad Yatra, Mango Festival, Van Mahotsav, Hariyali Amavasya, Onam

So many festivals to name in the month of july-august.

I still don’t know if there are any festivals in Bahaism, Judaism and Buddhism in these 2 months.. Would love to explore on the same.

I am so glad that I am born in a country like India, which is a true demonstration of “UNITY IN DIVERSITY”. Each religion in India, have its own legends, stories, texts and scriptures, heroes, gods, beliefs, pilgrimage sites and it is this diversity that is the very pulse of Indian culture, AND I AM SO FOND OF IT:)
Happy Festivals to all of you!

Guru Purnima!

July 3, 2012 RimpleSanchla History post

Today it’s 3rd July – Guru Purnima!. Guru Purnima is celebrated in honor of great sage Vyasa’s birthday. He was the ancient saint who wrote 18 Puranas, the Mahabharata, and the Srimad Bhagavata and compiled the four Vedas.
Hence, Guru Purnima is also known as a Vyasa Purnima. Vyasa is being described in Gita as a ‘Vyasa Vishal Buddhe’ means Vyasa with vast intellect. Sage Vyasa is known to be the Adi (original) Guru of the Hindu religion.

It is the day for the commencement of study of the scripture, which can enlighten the self or can help for the realization of the absolute. From holy Guru Purnima or this particular full moon day seekers of the truth, monks specially are supposed to observe “Chatur masa Vrata”, means vow for Four months during that period one is to undertake study of scriptures, especially Brahma Sutra, Upanishads and Gita (that is known as prasthantraya) and do introspection.

Guru Purnima is not the festival to offer garland to the Guru or presenting a few coins or good clothes. It is the festivity to adhere to the total purity, truth and character. Having absolute faith in Supreme and the form of Him.

On this day is of deep significance to the farmers, for it heralds the setting in of the much-needed rains, as the advent of cool showers usher in fresh life in the fields. It is a good time to begin your spiritual lessons.

Traditionally, spiritual seekers commence to intensify their spiritual ‘sadhana’ from this day.

The period ‘Chaturmas’ (“four months”) begins from this day. In the past, wandering spiritual masters and their disciples used to settle down at a place to study and discourse on the Brahma Sutras composed by Vyasa, and engage themselves in Vedantic discussions.

Dhyaana moolam guror murtih;
Pooja moolam guror padam;
Mantra moolam guror vakyam;
Moksha moolam guror kripa

“The Guru’s form should be meditated upon; the feet of the Guru should be worshipped; his words are to be treated as a sacred Mantra; his Grace ensures final liberation”.

Legend of Sitala Mataji – Thadri or Shitala Saatam Significance

August 21, 2011 RimpleSanchla History post

Once there was a joint family in a village and and the old mother in law had three daughter in laws ,as she had three sons all were happy and wealthy.

The daughter in law of the younger son was from poor family so she was always targeted by all the member s of the family.now the holy month of shravaan came and it was the 6th day-saptami when mother in law asked the younger daughter in law to prepare all the food,sweets for the day of Sitala Satam celebrations. Since the daughter in law had a small child she was also weak and through out the day she made all types of sweets,snacks etc and was above to make pulav but she went to feed her child as infant was crying since long time, it was around 11 o clock at night and she sung lorries and fed him but since she too was weak she feel asleep.

Exactly at night 12 o clock Sitala Mataji came to take a round in every villagers house specially the kitchen where stove-(Chulla) will be there where Goddess Sitala Mataji would like to reside but it was on and she got burnt ,and she became very angry and cursed you stupid lady as I got burnt let your child get burnt and sadly she went next day morning when this younger daughter in law woke she found the Stove to be on and then she saw her child got burnt and all the people of the house became angry saying you stupid lady, how dare you to fight with Goddess Sitala Mataji by not put off the stove ( Chulla meh Pani kyu nahi dala before night 12 yesterday ) its because of your fault that your child got burnt due to the pain of Goddess Sitala Mataji.

She took permission from her mother in law and took her child and went to wander into Jungle –Forets. As it is said Goddess specially resides in jungle or in the outskirts of the village she started to search her but found one pond where nobody would drink water she went to drink but the villager who were washing clothers said this pond is not holy its having curse please do not drink from this pond, then on the way she found buffoles females fighting with their horns, they said lady where are you going, she said I am searching Sitala Mataji.

Female buffoloes said please help us if you find Sitala Mataji please ask her highness why we fight always, lady said ok sure with a feel of mercy then she went further into the forest and found old women sick and scratching her hairs as she had dandruff in her hair and also some tiny microbes and she said lady where are you going and lady said I m searching Sitala Mataji, she said please clean my hairs and remove the insects from it please, I am a old lady single in this jungle nobody to help me so young lady please do this small favor to me, as this young lady was a kind person she gave her child in the lap of old women and started to clean and remove the insects from her hair and within an hour she cleaned the hairs of that old women and in the mean time the child in her lap started to cry .

Seeing this the young lady understood that the old women was a disguise of Sri Sitala Mataji and fell into her holy lotus legs asking for forgiving her unknown mistake and Sri Sitala Mataji became very happy and said I m pleased by your devotion and grace you the boon that now on I shall be always happy on you but please do not forget to cool the Stoves every year as I Goddess once in a year come to your kitchen and reside their and if its hot or burning even I get burnt so please as a mark of devotion please do follow this and then she asked the ponds problem she said that pond was a very cruel one never allow any birds or animals to come into it and if they come there to drink water it would attract it In and not let them come out and kill them so its cursed but today you go and pray god and also remember me and chant my name and then have a sip of water after filtering with your clothe and then on all can drink that water, then again she asked the problem of lady buffoloes, the Goddess Sitala Mataji said they both were very cruel ladies in their last birth never give milk to any members or even to any needy even though they had 10 cows each and add double water in milk and sell it and never give butter milk even in plenty and add water and sell it to even poor so due to that sin they both always fight with each other now you go and stop them and touch their horns ,recite my holy name and they will become calm .

This way she did to pond and also to the lady buffoloes and saved them and also made them all free from the curse and came to village and said the whole incident to all. the family and the villagers were happy but her other two daughter in laws were jealous and envious and next year they did same thing and purposely did not off the stove and later at night Sitala Mataji came to kitchen and sat on the stove and got burnt and cursed how I got burnt, may your child get burnt .

The elder daughter in law went to forest and found pond and then buffloes and then old lady but answered them all wickedly and said you all useless have no work and ask me to help, I m in search of Goddess Sitala Mataji and all you are crying with your problems don’t have any shame, you fools and wandered through out the day but did not find Goddess Sitala Mataji anywhere .

She came back with her dead child and cried and cried and ask for forgiveness to the younger daughter in law and asked and plead to grace her and younger daughter in law with true devotion prayed to Goddess Sitala Mataji and asked to make the dead child alive and there the mother goddess blessed the child and later this elder daughter in law told the truth and asked for forgiveness.

From then onwards this festival of Mother Goddess is celebrate d with great devotion in most of the parts of india – Punjab, Gujrat, Bengal, South everywhere and also in abroad too .

A day before saptami all the food is prepared and before 12 in the night stoves are cleaned and cooled with sprinkling of water and next day worshipping the Goddess and not at all touching the stove and have the holy offering of sweets made before day by the devotees .

As the Goddess is Sit means cool, devotees have cold items only and food made day before. Have cold water bath in the morning and worship Goddess Sitala Mataji. Thus let’s all specially women and small children worship to Goddess mostly and ask for the blessings of the Mother Goddess Sitala Mataji to one and all.

Journey from Bombay to AAMCHI MUMBAI!

May 1, 2011 RimpleSanchla History post Transformation of MUMBAI

Bombay has no bombs and is a harbor not bay. Today(1st May), in the year 1960, Bombay (now Mumbai) was transformed from a Bombay State to Bombay City and a capital of a newly created state Maharashtra. Life of the present Mumbaikar’s is quite different from the early one’s.

From Stone Age to Sultan of Gujarat:

Anyone living in Mumbai today knows Colaba, Mazagaon, Mumbadevi, Worli, Parel, Mahim as local places of Mumbai. But, did you know that once upon a time they were 7 independent islands. In fact, Mumbai has its mark since stone age. Later it was a part of Magadhan Empire ruled by the Ashoka Maurya. The empire receded and left the Buddhists monks and Kolis, whose stone Goddess – MumbaiDevi, gave its name to the current alpha city in the year 1995.

Mumbai changed hands many times. After Magadha Empire, islands were ruled by the Silhara Dynasty till the middle of the 13^th century. Walkeshwar Temple, Banganga, Elephanta caves probably date from this time – under Silhara patronage.

After Silhara’s, King Bhimdev founded his kingdom with “Mahikawati” (Mahim) as its Capital. He was said to be from Anahilavada dynasty of Gujarat. Babulnath Temple was built under his patronage. He brought various communities from Saurashtra and other parts of Gujarat to Mahikawati. Later the islands were wrested by the Muslim rulers of Gujarat. The mosque in mahim probably date from this time.

Deliberate Twirl to West:

Portuguese Period:

Portuguese explorer Fransisco de Almeida’s ship sailed into the deep natural harbour of the island in 1508, and he called it Bom Bahia (Good Bay). In 1534, Bahadur shah was forced to sign the treaty of Bassein (at present – Vasai) with the Portuguese wherein Bassein and seven islands were surrendered to the Portuguese thereby ending the Islamic rule in the city. By this time Portuguese had already possessed west coast areas of Panjim, Daman and Diu. With the treaty, they possessed Bombay and named it as “Bom Bahia” meaning a “Good Bay” in Portuguese.

They built numerous churches at the areas where the major population comprised of Roman Catholics. St. Andrews Church at Bandra is the only church that remains with the Portuguese style facade. Another church is the St. John the Baptist church built by the Portuguese in Mumbai. located inside SEEPZ, Andheri, which is opened only once in a year at present.

They also built forts at Sion, Mahim, Bandra and Bassien which can still be seen.

Dutch and the British:

In 1580, Spain invaded Portugal territories which opened the way for the Europeans to enter India (Possessed by Portuguese then). The Dutch arrived first, followed by the British. Portuguese had monopoly in trade in the 15^th and earth 16^th centuries. As a result, Battle of Swally was fought between the British and the Portuguese at Surat at around 1612 for the possession of Bombay(one of the seven islands then). The marriage treaty of British King Charles II and Portuguese Princess Catherine of Braganza in 1661 brought these islands into British as a part of a marriage dowry. Other 6 islands continued to be under Portuguese possession. British renamed “Bom Bahia” to “Bombay”.

In 1668, according to the Royal Charter of 27^th March 1668, an agreement between British Empire and East India Company led to the transfer of Bombay(one of the seven islands then) to the British East India Company at an annual rest of £10.

Company then built harbours and warehouses for trade. Customs house was also built. Fortifications were built around Raj Bhavan (formerly Bombay Castle). The second governor of Bombay saw the opportunity to develop islands into a centre of commerce to rival other ports which were still possessed by the local kingdoms then. Various business incentives were offered which attracted Jews, Armenians, Brahmins, Gujaratis, Bohras and other communities. Population of Bombay rose approx. 6 times more in a period of 5 years. Ship building industry moved to Bombay from Surat.

In 1782, Hornby Vellard engineering project was started by the just assumed Governor of Bomaby – William Hornby to unite the 7 islands into one single landmass. The Bombay was connected to Salsette by a causeway at Sion, Colaba and little Colaba were connected to Bombay, causeway connecting mahim and bandra followed and so on. All 7 islands were merged to form a state of Bombay. Company built infrastructures like railways, Asiatic Society of Bombay (town hall), Elphinstone college, commercial banks, newspapers. All these activities led to the educational and economic progress and overall development of Bombay city. Victoria Terminus station (now CST) was one of the finest stations in the world then.

The concept of Dabbawalas originated during this period. Britishers in Bombay who did not liked the local food, set up the service of dabbawalas to carry lunch to their workplace straight from their home.

Post-Independence Period:

In 1950’s there was a demand from the United Maharashra Committee (Sanyukta Maharashtra Samiti) to create a separate Marathi speaking state “Maharashtra” from the state of Bombay with city Bombay (now Mumbai) as its capital.

On 1^st May 1960, state of Bombay was portioned into the Marathi speaking state (Maharshatra) and Gujarati speaking state (Gujarat).

In 1995 Bombay was renamed to “Mumbai”, after Mumbadevi, a stone goddess of deep-sea fisherman.