Symbolism of the 108 repetitions

The number 108 has many meanings, including the following:

• It is the hyperfactorial of 3 since it is of the form 1^1 * 2^2 * 3^3.
• The interior angles of a regular pentagon measure 108 degrees each.
• Hindu deities have 108 names. Recital of these names, often accompanied by counting of 108-beaded Mala, is considered sacred and often done during religious ceremonies. The recital is called namajapa.
• Shiva’s Nataraja dances his cosmic dance in 108 poses.
• In the Bhagavata Purana, Krishna dances with 108 Gopis.
• In Hindu Astrology there are 12 Rashis or Zodiacs and 9 Planets or Navagrahas. 12 X 9 = 108. This symbolism is illustrated well by the counting method, where the finger segments of the right hand represent the Rashis and those on the left hand the Navagrahas.
• Also in Hindu Astrology there are 27 Lunar mansions or Nakshatras which are divided in 4 Padas or quarters each. 27 X 4 = 108.
• 108 signifies the wholeness of the divinity, perfect totality.
• 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-realisation.

Yuga: Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapar Yuga, Kali Yuga

Yuga (Devanāgari: युग) in Hindu philosophy is the name of an epoch or era within a four age cycle. According to Hindu cosmology, life in the universe is created and destroyed once every 4.1 to 8.2 billion years. The lifetime of a Brahma himself may be 311 trillion and 40 billion years.
Like Summer, Spring, Winter and Autumn, each yuga involves stages or gradual changes which the earth and the consciousness of mankind goes through as a whole. A complete yuga cycle from a high Golden Age of enlightenment to a Dark Age and back again is said to be caused by the solar system's motion around another star.

The ages see a gradual decline of dharma, wisdom, knowledge, intellectual capability, life span, emotional and physical strength.

In The Holy Science, Sri Yukteswar wrote that the traditional or long count view is based on a misunderstanding. He says that at the end of the last descending Dvapara Yuga (about 700 BC), "Maharaja Yudhisthira, noticing the appearance of the dark Kali Yuga.

1. Satya Yuga:- Virtue reigns supreme. Human stature was 21 cubits. Average human lifespan was 100,000 years.
2. Treta Yuga: – There was 3 quarter virtue & 1 quarter sin. Normal human stature was 14 cubits. Average human lifespan was 10,000 years.
3. Dwapar Yuga: – There was 1 half virtue & 1 half sin. Normal human stature was 7 cubits. Average human lifespan was 1000 years.
4. Kali Yuga: – There is 1 quarter virtue & 3 quarter sin. Normal human stature is 3.5 cubits. Average human lifespan will be 100 years. Towards the end of the Yuga this will come down to 20 years.

1. Satya yuga - This is first yuga in total four yuga. The word Satya is Hindu Sanskrit words whose meaning is Truth or Reality. It is also known as Golden age.

2- Treta Yuga - This is the Second yuga in Total four yuga. It appeared after Satya Yuga.This is also known as Golden age because Lord Vishnu 3 avatar(incarnation) appeared in Treta Yuga.The 3 avatar name are Vamana(5th incarnation of lord vishnu),Parshurama(sixth incarnation of lord vishnu) and Shree Ram (7th incarnation of lord Vishnu).

About Vamana - Lord vishnu in form of Vamana(small dwarf) appeared in Treta yuga to Kill Demon King Bali.
About Parshuram - Lord vishnu in form of Parshuram(Brahmin with Axe in hand) appeared in Treta yuga to kill the warrior(kshetriya) who were Evil.
About Shree Ram - Lord Vishnu(God Shree Ram) appeared in Treta yuga to kill Demon King Rawan.

3 - Dwapar Yuga - This is Third Yuga among Four Yuga in Hindu Religion. Dwapara Yuga appeared after the Treta yuga.Dwapara yuga was not good more than Treta yuga or Satya yuga because in Total of 100 % only 50 % peoples used to follow religion and truth path way.

Dwapara yuga is also the most powerful,golden stage Yuga because Lord Shree Krishna and His Brother Shree Lord Balaram himself appeared in Dwapara Yuga. The only one Supreme Book of Hindu Religion 'Bhagavad Geeta' is stated by lord krishna for the mankind of people. He came to save life of people of Gokula, Mathura and Vrindavana.He appeared to help his friend/devotee "Arjuna and His brother" to win The Battle field of Kurukshetra. 'Arjuna and his Brother' were supreme god himself who was follower of truth and Religion.

4 - Kaliyuga - Kaliyuga is last and Final yuga or Stage among Four Yuga in Hindu Religion.We are now in Kaliyuga presently.In this yuga in total of 100 % only 25 % of peoples follow Religion,Truth.

This is also known as Golden age because Lord Vishnu appeared in Form of Lord Buddha to Help people who are suffering from Lack of Love,Honesty,Religion,Peace.Lord Buddha Established Religion,Peace and Honesty.

In Hindu Religious Script it is mention that Kaliyuga peoples forget all their religions,path of truth.Slowly there will be Lack of Mind for Religion,Truth.There will fight against peoples. One Peoples discriminates another people with different Reason.Son will order Father.

It is also mention in Religious Script that at the End of Kaliyuga when there will be No path of Truth,Religion and Honesty -
"Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu(kalki) will appeared to establish Religion,Truth.
Lord vishnu and Lord Shiva will appear to destroy kaliyuga.

Vedas - বেদ

বেদ হিন্দু জ্ঞানের মধ্যে সর্বোচ্চ ধর্মগ্রন্থের.

Veda is the highest authority in Hindu knowledge system and the authority of all other scriptures are based on the authority of the Veda. Vedas are four - Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. Rigveda contains prayers to Gods (Riks are the mantras). Yajurveda has methods to use Riks for sacrifices (Yajus-Yajna). Sama Veda introduces musical notes. Atharva Veda gives ways to make life successful, and contains methods to fulfill what can be called material aspirations.

Gayatri Mantra

The Mantra

Aum

Bhuh Bhuvah Svah

Tat Savitur Varenyam

Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi

Dhiyo Yo nah Prachodayat

~ The Rig Veda (10:16:3)

How To Chant the Gayatri Mantra – Basic Rules

Here are a few facts to keep in mind when learning how to chant the Gayatri mantra correctly:

1. Sit in a comfortable seating position (padmasa, ardha parmasana, siddhásana, sukhasana etc.) on a mat, supporting your erected spine with a meditation pillow. If you need to change the position during the chanting, you can do that. You can also interrupt the japa practice in case of call of nature. Just make sure you wash your hands and your face before returning to Gayatri mantra  chanting.
2. Wear clean clothes and ideally have a bath before the practice.
3. Traditionally, the Gayatri mantra is chanted on three occasions – in the morning (two hours before sunrise), at midday and in the evening (one hour after sunset). Nowadays, for many people such schedule does not seem to be a realistic option. Therefore choose one time that fits you most and stick with it during the whole Gayatri mantra practice. If you practice in the morning, face the East, if you opt for evening chant, you should face the West.
4. Choose a fixed time during the day. Just like with every other type of practice (asanas, meditation etc.), it is much easier for our mind to fine-tune its vibrations, when knowing what is coming up during the day. The mind simply finds comfort in knowing that every morning or evening it’s time for Gayatri mantra chanting.
5. Start with the practice of one round of 108 repetitions (it takes between 18-25 minutes per round depending on how vigorous your chanting is. Gradually, you can increase the rounds of chanting up to four. Four rounds are typically maximum of what a Westerner is able to achieve without intense traditional Indian yoga sadhana.
6. The traditional Hindu yogis’advice is to chant the mantra 36 times three times per day, rather than 108 times one time. It is however up to your best judgement, which will certainly be based on your schedule. Both ways of chanting bring profound effects.
7. The period of 40 days has been widely recognized as an adequate period for chanting the Gayatri mantra. Choose a number of repetitions of Gayatri mantra per day, and do that for the period of 40 days.
8. You may want to get a japa mala (prayer beads), having 108 beads. Mala is  often used during the chanting of the mantra in general, and it may help focus easier on the correct number of repetitions. Use rosary of tulsi or sandalwood beads.
9. There is freedom in discipline; choosing to do a regular practice frees your mind from wondering what and whether any practice will be done that day.
10. Do not chant the mantra mechanically. It is important to understand the meaning of the Gayatri mantra and chant it with as much feeling and awareness as possible. This is the most important part of your mental preparation – chant the Gayatri mantra with firm faith and devotion, and you will experience full advantage of the Gayatri mantra practice.
11. If your mind wonders too much, you can choose an anchor (a beautiful portray of the Gayatri Goddess) to help you fix it and meditate on it.
12. According to the ancient texts, the food also plays an important role in harmonizing  our bodies and minds with the practice. As such, the food during the Gayatri mantra sadhana (that is during the 40 days of practice) should  have a sattvic  character. In a food pyramid these foods are referred to as  lacto-vegetarian. Choose healthy, simple, easily digestible foods, such as  vegetables, seeds, dried beans, cereals, dairy products, dried fruits, nuts, bread (avoid chilli and spices).