The science of 108 in Hinduism

By Ravi

Just as the number 3 (three) is sacred in most of the world’s religions, the number 108  is considered holy in Hinduism and in other eastern traditions. 108 appears numerous times in the scriptures and some Hindus regularly chant the name of God on 108 beads.

There is also a science behind this special number. Hindu texts point out that:

1. the Sun is 108 times bigger than the Earth

2. the distance from the Earth to the Sun is equal to 108 suns side by side

3. the distance from the Earth to the moon is 108 moons side by side.

So does modern science back up these claims written in the sastras thousands of years ago? I decided to try out the math.

From NASA’s site: “The sun is way bigger than the Earth. Its radius is 109 times bigger than the radius of the Earth.”  (the # is actually 108.xxx…NASA rounds up the decimal to 109).

The distance from the Sun to the Earth fluctuates between 92-94 million miles. The Vedas say the distance from the Earth to the Sun is equal to 108 suns placed side by side. The sun’s diameter is 865,000 mi.

865,000 miles  x 108 = 93,420,000 miles.

The Earth’s distance to the moon is 108 moons side by side. NASA puts the moon’s diameter at 2159 miles. Science says that the moon’s distance fluctuates from 225,622-252,088 miles.

2159 miles x 108 = 237,276 miles.

Science and religion clearly don’t necessarily have to conflict with each other. The wisdom in ancient traditions such as Hinduism illustrate an order in the universe.