What is the meaning of 108?

[kelari]

What is the meaning and significance of 108? I know that baba nanaks simrana had 108 mala around his neck. and for sants its always written like 108 sant....

Can someone explain the significance?

Bhul Chuk Muaaf

Daas

Kelari

[Guest]

Please check this following thread, you will get your answer there:

http://www.sikhawareness.com/sikhawareness...topic.php?t=834

[Harbhajan]

http://www.swamij.com/108.htm

Meaning of 108 beads on a mala

by Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati

On a mala, or set of mantra counting beads, there are generally 108 beads, or some fraction of that number. The question often arises: Why are there 108 beads on a mala?

Below are some of the many reasons that have been given, as well as a few other points of interest. None of these reasons are being promoted here as more or less true than the others. However, you may notice that 108 appears to be somewhat like a road map of reality in general, and the human in particular.

Regardless of the meaning of 108, it is important that if a mala is used to count mantras, the mantra be remembered with sincerity, devotion, feeling, and full attention.

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 (2x2); 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.

Sanskrit alphabet: There are 54 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet. Each has masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti. 54 times 2 is 108.

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

Upanishads: Some say there are 108 Upanishads, texts of the wisdom of the ancient sages.

Sri Yantra: On the Sri Yantra there are marmas where three lines intersect, and there are 54 such intersections. Each intersections has masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti qualities. 54 times 2 equals 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.

Marmas: Marmas or marmasthanas are like energy intersections called chakras, except have fewer energy lines converging to form them. There are said to be 108 marmas in the subtle body.

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

8 extra beads: In doing a practice of counting the number of repetitions of the mala, 100 are counted as completed. The remaining are said to cover errors or omissions. The 8 are also said to be an offering to God and Guru.

Chemistry: Interestingly, there are about 115 elements known on the periodic table of the elements. Most of those, around or higher than the number 100 only exist in the laboratory, and some for only thousandths of a second. The number that naturally exist on Earth is around 100.

Astrology: There are 12 constellations, and 9 arc segments called namshas or chandrakalas. 9 times 12 equals 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 a latitude of 9 degrees (22 to 31). 12 times 9 equals 108.

Planets and Houses: In astrology, there are 12 houses and 9 planets. 12 times 9 equals 108.

Goddess names: There are said to be 108 Indian goddess names.

Gopis of Krishna: In the Krishna tradition, 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.

Sun and Earth: 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.

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

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.

Breath: Tantra estimates the average number of breaths per day at 21,600, of which 10,800 are solar energy, and 10,800 are lunar energy. Multiplying 108 by 100 is 10,800. Multiplying 2 x 10,800 equals 21,600.

Paths to God: Some suggest that there are 108 paths to God.

Smaller divisions: The number 108 is divided, such as in half, third, quarter, or twelfth, so that some malas have 54, 36, 27, or 9 beads.

Hinduism: 108 is said to refer to the number of Hindu deities. Some say that each of the deities has 108 names.

Islam: The number 108 is used in Islam to refer 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 quiding bead, the one that marks the beginning and end of the mala.

Dance: There are 108 forms of dance in the Indian traditions.

Praiseworthy souls: There are 108 qualities of praiseworthy souls.

First man in space: The first manned space flight lasted 108 minutes, and was on April 12, 1961 by Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut.

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[Harbhajan]

TEACHINGS OF BABA NAND SINGH JI OF NANAKSAR

He (Baba Nand Singh Ji of Nanksar) unfolded the Supreme grandeur of Sri Guru Granth Sahib splendidly and glorified the eternal Sri Guru Granth Sahib as the living Guru Nanak magnificently. Blessing of Sri Guru Granth Sahib was supreme and He advised everyone to invoke that blessing by completing one path of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in a month in the following manner:

Complete recitation of the whole of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in a month.

Complete 50 paths of Sri Sukhmani Sahib in a month; recite 2 paths of Sri Sukhmani Sahib daily.

Complete 250 paths of Jap Ji Sahib in a month; recite 10 paths of Jap Ji Sahib daily.

Complete 180 Malas (Rosary Mala of 108 beads) of Mool Mantra (from Ekonkar to Nanak Hosi Bhi Such) in a month; do six malas daily.

Complete 80 Malas daily of Gur Mantar 'Waheguru'; 20 Malas of Waheguru if the Nam is recited four times on each bead.

Complete 160 Malas daily of Ram (Nam); 40 Malas if Ram is recited four times on each bead (for Hindus)

A Mohammedan was advised to practice and recite the name of Allah on each bead as above.

Hundreds of crores of Sri Guru Granth Sahib's paths were thus distributed as the most blessed Parshad to millions of devotees in His life time and are continuing uninterrupted since then.

He, thus, brought the supreme blessing of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the living Sri Guru Nanak Sahib within easy comprehension, reach and grasp of everyone, educated, uneducated, lettered, unlettered, literate, illiterate and simple village folks. Every one recited Amrit Nam and sang the glory of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib in this simple and easy way.

That was the grand purpose behind His holy advent. Uniqueness and greatness of the Eternal Glory of Sri Guru Granth Sahib was unveiled in its totality. The precious treasure of Lord's Name was thrown open to all. It was so simple, easily understandable within the grasp and practice of simple village folk. He freely distributed this Dargahi ticket destined for Sach Khand.

Though He physically disappeared in August 1943 from this earthly scene, He perennially flows as Eternal presence in this very Dargahi Ticket given as Prashad by Him. Lakhs of refugees from either side during the partition of 1947 experienced the miraculous power of this Dargahi ticket, Dargahi Name with the Eternal presence of the Saviour Baba Nand Singh Ji Maharaj, and were saved. Such was the unique power of Nam He distributed.

In possession of this unique Prashad, Divine Ticket, they passed through the most dreaded naked dance of death, but not a single person blessed with this celestial ticket could be injured or harmed or died an unnatural death.

All Glory to Mahan Baba Nand Singh Ji Maharaj.

Baba Nand Singh Ji Maharaj thus blessed millions with unique Prashad of the Lord. Unique Prashad of redeeming Gur Mantar, Mul Mantar, Japji, Sukhmani Sahib, Ram Nam and in addition the paths of Bhagwat Gita and Holy Quran Sharif were distributed as Parshad to Hindus and Muslims in same congregations.

Nam was not the privilege of a selected few. It was open to all It was distributed freely to everyone without any consideration of caste, religion and creed.

By thus propagating the Gospel of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Lakhs of illiterate, simple and plain-hearted villagers were able to feel and experience the spiritual satisfaction of attaining the Grace of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Babaji had thus brought lofty ideals of personal service and worship of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and resultant spiritual attainment within the immediate reach and grasp of millions of completely illiterate folk. Only those who practice, know how wonderful and rewarding this spiritual Sadhana is!

SOURCE: http://www.babanandsinghsahib.org/maryada/dargahiticket.htm

[unbreakable]

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[Guest]

I was just searching tapoban on topic of mala -108 beads, this is what i have came across with :

Please read the posts by avidya:

source: http://www.tapoban.org/phorum/read.php?f=1...407#reply_68295

Waheguruji Ka Khalsa Waheguruji Ki Fateh

I truly can't believe this discussion! I have seen the malas of Guru Nanak Dev ji Maharaj and Guru Hargobind ji!

Gyani ji, yes Gurbani is forever truthful. But what happens when one who is ignorant misunderstands the meaning and is convinced that this distorted meaning is the 'truth' for ever?

Along these lines your interpretation of the above verses is in the first case simply inaccurate and distorted!

In the first shabad it isn't even referring to a mala as such but a jeweled necklace 'mothian ki mala'!

If you HONESTLY believe the second shabad you have quoted is rejecting malas you MUST THEREFORE by proxy use it to support rejecting wearing a turban as it states in the same context in the next line!! Honestly gyani ji this is some very questionnable interpretation. CLEARLY this shabad is referring to hypocracy of taking on the roop of holiness but not actually upholding it on the inside.

And the final shabad is Kabir again dismissing the outer orthodoxy in favour of the society of saints.

Gurbani is truth - however clearly some fail to recognise that very truth, its message, its intention by purposefully or unknowingly denigrating it by projecting onto meaning which are not intended. Please gyani ji, I ask you in all humbleness, please act like a real gyani and refrain from distorting the meaning of shabds for the sake of your attempts at rejecting tradition.

Waheguruji Ka Khalsa Waheguruji Ki Fateh

I personlly would argue that there is different interpretations of certain ideas and concepts, and then there is seriously inaccurate interpretation of Gurbani.

As for malas, this isn't a matter of 'where does it say we should'. If we took that approach to practice a lot would go! Correct me if I'm wrong, but there is no direct stipulation in Gurbani for a number of things in the aspects of maryada that we share. In these cases we look to the rehitnamas.

Since you do not apply the same approach to rehit, how can you be so sure to claim that malas are 'fake' based on the fact that it doesn't appear in Gurbani?

On the issue of the use of a mala, there is likewise nothing in Gurbani directly but there is the evidence of the Guru's relics and history to show that they used them. The fact that two malas exist (if not more) is enough for me, and beautifully bejewelled they are too!

[Guest Javanmard]

I am sure I have seen a picture of Randhir Singh with a mala. I wonder why the Randhirpanthis are against it when their own founder used them. Inconcistent.

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[akaali]

idiots... it amazes me , they say they are agaisnt 'intoxication', but when they post its hard to tell if they are

[unbreakable]

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[akalpurkh]

On 05/05/2006 at 11:13 PM, Harbhajan said:

TEACHINGS OF BABA NAND SINGH JI OF NANAKSAR

 

He (Baba Nand Singh Ji of Nanksar) unfolded the Supreme grandeur of Sri Guru Granth Sahib splendidly and glorified the eternal Sri Guru Granth Sahib as the living Guru Nanak magnificently. Blessing of Sri Guru Granth Sahib was supreme and He advised everyone to invoke that blessing by completing one path of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in a month in the following manner:

 

 

Complete recitation of the whole of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in a month.

 

Complete 50 paths of Sri Sukhmani Sahib in a month; recite 2 paths of Sri Sukhmani Sahib daily.

 

Complete 250 paths of Jap Ji Sahib in a month; recite 10 paths of Jap Ji Sahib daily.

 

Complete 180 Malas (Rosary Mala of 108 beads) of Mool Mantra (from Ekonkar to Nanak Hosi Bhi Such) in a month; do six malas daily.

 

Complete 80 Malas daily of Gur Mantar 'Waheguru'; 20 Malas of Waheguru if the Nam is recited four times on each bead.

 

Complete 160 Malas daily of Ram (Nam); 40 Malas if Ram is recited four times on each bead (for Hindus)

 

A Mohammedan was advised to practice and recite the name of Allah on each bead as above.

 

Hundreds of crores of Sri Guru Granth Sahib's paths were thus distributed as the most blessed Parshad to millions of devotees in His life time and are continuing uninterrupted since then.

 

He, thus, brought the supreme blessing of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the living Sri Guru Nanak Sahib within easy comprehension, reach and grasp of everyone, educated, uneducated, lettered, unlettered, literate, illiterate and simple village folks. Every one recited Amrit Nam and sang the glory of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib in this simple and easy way.

 

That was the grand purpose behind His holy advent. Uniqueness and greatness of the Eternal Glory of Sri Guru Granth Sahib was unveiled in its totality. The precious treasure of Lord's Name was thrown open to all. It was so simple, easily understandable within the grasp and practice of simple village folk. He freely distributed this Dargahi ticket destined for Sach Khand.

 

Though He physically disappeared in August 1943 from this earthly scene, He perennially flows as Eternal presence in this very Dargahi Ticket given as Prashad by Him. Lakhs of refugees from either side during the partition of 1947 experienced the miraculous power of this Dargahi ticket, Dargahi Name with the Eternal presence of the Saviour Baba Nand Singh Ji Maharaj, and were saved. Such was the unique power of Nam He distributed.

 

In possession of this unique Prashad, Divine Ticket, they passed through the most dreaded naked dance of death, but not a single person blessed with this celestial ticket could be injured or harmed or died an unnatural death.

 

All Glory to Mahan Baba Nand Singh Ji Maharaj.

 

Baba Nand Singh Ji Maharaj thus blessed millions with unique Prashad of the Lord. Unique Prashad of redeeming Gur Mantar, Mul Mantar, Japji, Sukhmani Sahib, Ram Nam and in addition the paths of Bhagwat Gita and Holy Quran Sharif were distributed as Parshad to Hindus and Muslims in same congregations.

 

Nam was not the privilege of a selected few. It was open to all It was distributed freely to everyone without any consideration of caste, religion and creed.

 

By thus propagating the Gospel of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Lakhs of illiterate, simple and plain-hearted villagers were able to feel and experience the spiritual satisfaction of attaining the Grace of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Babaji had thus brought lofty ideals of personal service and worship of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and resultant spiritual attainment within the immediate reach and grasp of millions of completely illiterate folk. Only those who practice, know how wonderful and rewarding this spiritual Sadhana is!

 

SOURCE: http://www.babanandsinghsahib.org/maryada/dargahiticket.htm

 

Counting is Contrary to Gurmat

Counting beads – ਮਾਲਾ ਫੇਰਨੀ, chanting with Maalaa (rosary)…

When Kabeer Sahib realized he wasted his life in Kashi (“ਸਗਲ ਜਨਮੁ ਸਿਵ ਪੁਰੀ ਗਵਾਇਆ ॥”, (sggs 326). ) by following the worthless rituals prescribed by the Brahmin / Pundit (such as counting beads – Maalaa or rosary, and so on), he moved from there. After realizing uselessness of empty rituals such as counting beads, he threw away the rosary and declared:

• ਭੂਖੇ ਭਗਤਿ ਨ ਕੀਜੈ ॥ ਯਹ ਮਾਲਾ ਅਪਨੀ ਲੀਜੈ ॥: Bhookhe bhagti na keejai. Jah maalaa apanee leejai: Bhagti (devotion…) cannot be performed while hungry (for Maya – Maya’s hunger, love of Maya…). (So) Here is Your Maalaa (rosary), take it back. (sggs 656).

The person who counts beads (ਮਾਲਾ ਫੇਰਨੀ) is full of hunger for Maya (ਮਾਇਆ ਦਾ ਭੁੱਖਾ) – totally Mann Mateeaa (ਮਨ ਮਤੀਆ-the Manmukh who lives against the Gurmat or Teaching of the Gurbani). Those who take on Maalaa are called “ਨਿਪੂਤੇ” (worthless son-ਔਂਤਰਾ) in the Gurbani, for in such worthless stubborn minded practice there can be noSukha (ਸੁਖ).

• ਜਬ ਕੀ ਮਾਲਾ ਲਈ ਨਿਪੂਤੇ ਤਬ ਤੇ ਸੁਖੁ ਨ ਭਇਓ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: Jabb kee maalaa laee nipoote tabb te sukhu n bhaio ||1||Rahaaou||: Ever since this worthless son (i.e., mind, ਔਂਤਰਾ ਮਨ…) has taken the Maalaa (rosary), since than there has been no Sukha (Joy, ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤੀ, Gain, etc.)! ||1||Pause|| (sggs 856).

Thus, the Gurbani repudiates (Khandan) Pakhand-Baazee (deception, hypocrisy, humbug, pretense, etc.) such as counting beads (chanting with Maalaa, rosary). Such nonsense was introduced by those who purposely intended to corrupt the Gurmat (Aatam-Giaan, Knowledge, Wisdom, or Teaching of the Gurbani). Instead of correcting this mistake, unfortunately, this falsehood is not only carried on, but further propagated by the Mayadhaaree Pujaaree-Group (Bhais, Granthees, Raagees, Jathedaars, Paathees, and so on). It’s all “Golak Daa Chakkar” (money)! The Gurbani wants us to make meditation (Naam-Simran: Gur-Giaan, Shabad-Vichaar…) the rosary enshrined in the Heart within.

• ਹਰਿ ਮਾਲਾ ਉਰ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਧਾਰੈ ॥ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਕਾ ਦੂਖੁ ਨਿਵਾਰੈ ॥੨॥: Har maalaa our antar dhaarai || Janam maran kaa dookh nivaarai ||2||: (That person who) enshrines the rosary of God’s Name within the heart, is freed of the pains of birth and death cycle ||2|| (sggs 388).

But still, as seen everyday, the emphasis of most of the clergy, clerics, Bhais, Raagees, Kathaakaars, Giaanees, Parchaaraks, Sants, Baabaas, etc., is to promote religious symbols and rituals that are strongly repudiated by the Gurbani. They are totally in contradiction with the Divine Teaching (Aatam-Giaan…) and purpose of the SGGS. Why does Gurbani rejects this nonsense? Because all calculations or all calculated Bhagti is in false ego-sense (Haumai). Consider these verses:

• ਹਉਮੈ ਸਭਾ ਗਣਤ ਹੈ ਗਣਤੈ ਨਉ ਸੁਖੁ ਨਾਹਿ ॥: All accounting is in egotism. In this accounting, there is no Peace (sggs 36).
• ਗਣਤੈ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਨ ਪਾਈਐ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਰਮੀਤਾ ॥: Ganatai prabhoo na paaeeai doojai bharameetaa: God cannot be obtained by counting; the mortal wanders in doubt — Maya, duality etc. (sggs 510).

This Giaan of the Gurbani is also meant for the Sikhs!! If we don’t believe it then we are not Sikhs. the Gurmat and Saakat-Matt are two different and opposing things. All counting is for the conditioned or material being (Manmukh, Saakat, Mayadhaaree…) for his life or world is in the realm of calculations — egoism or Maya.

There is no counting or calculations for the one who has become the Gurmukh (one who lives the Shabad-Giaan, Gur-Giaan, Gurmat…); because he knows he is not separate from God. He thus relieves himself of all egoistic or mental calculations through the constant abidance in his Joti-Svaroopa within.

So the Gurbani urges us to stop counting beads and become the Gurmukhi.

• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਗਲੀ ਗਣਤ ਮਿਟਾਵੈ ॥: Gurmukh sagalee ganath mittaavai: The Gurmukh erases all calculations (sggs 942).

 

Mala in Adi Granth Sahib

In Gurbani, Mala is used by Pundits and Vaishno, along with Dhoti and Tika.

ਜਬ ਕੀ ਮਾਲਾ ਲਈ ਨਿਪੂਤੇ ਤਬ ਤੇ ਸੁਖੁ ਨ ਭਇਓ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Ever since this worthless son of mine began chanting with his mala, we have had no peace at all! ||1||Pause|| (856, Kabir)

ਮਾਲਾ ਫੇਰੈ ਮੰਗੈ ਬਿਭੂਤ ॥ ਇਹ ਬਿਧਿ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਤਰਿਓ ਮੀਤ ॥੩॥
You chant on your mala, and beg for money. No one has ever been saved in this way, friend. ||3|| (888, Gur Arjan Dev)

ਮਾਥੇ ਤਿਲਕੁ ਹਥਿ ਮਾਲਾ ਬਾਨਾਂ ॥ ਲੋਗਨ ਰਾਮੁ ਖਿਲਉਨਾ ਜਾਨਾਂ ॥੧॥
Apply ceremonial marks to their foreheads, hold malas in their hands, and wear religious robes. people think that the Lord is a toy. ||1|| (1158, Kabir)

ਸਾਲ ਗ੍ਰਾਮ ਬਿਪ ਪੂਜਿ ਮਨਾਵਹੁ ਸੁਕ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਤੁਲਸੀ ਮਾਲਾ ॥ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਿ ਬੇੜਾ ਬਾਂਧਹੁ ਦਇਆ ਕਰਹੁ ਦਇਆਲਾ ॥੧॥
O Brahmin, you worship and believe in your stone-god, and wear your ceremonial rosary beads. Chant the Name of the Lord. Build your boat, and pray, "O Merciful Lord, please be merciful to me."||1|| (1170, mahalla 1)

 

ਗਲਿ ਮਾਲਾ ਤਿਲਕ ਲਿਲਾਟੰ ॥ ਦੁਇ ਧੋਤੀ ਬਸਤ੍ਰ ਕਪਾਟੰ ॥
ਜੋ ਜਾਨਸਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰ ਕਰਮੰ ॥ ਸਭ ਫੋਕਟ ਨਿਸਚੈ ਕਰਮੰ ॥
The mala is around your neck, and the sacred tilak mark is on your forehead. You wear two loin cloths, and keep your head covered.
If you know God and the nature of karma, you know that all these rituals and beliefs are useless. (1353, 1)

ਕਬੀਰ ਬੈਸਨੋ ਹੂਆ ਤ ਕਿਆ ਭਇਆ ਮਾਲਾ ਮੇਲੀਂ ਚਾਰਿ ॥ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਕੰਚਨੁ ਬਾਰਹਾ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਭਰੀ ਭੰਗਾਰ ॥੧੪੫॥
Kabeer, what good is it to become a devotee of Vishnu, and wear four malas? On the outside, he may look like pure gold, but on the inside, he is stuffed with dust. ||145|| (1372, Kabir)

Mala in Dasam Granth Sahib

 

Quotes from Dasam Granth

In Dasam granth, Guru Gobind Singh is not seen carrying Mala and nowhere is he promoting using of Mala. In commencement of Chaubis Avtar, He had a jibe on Mala Carrying Hindus and Muslims by saying which means that with even mala no one can dyed in love with lord.

ਚੌਪਈ ਇਕ ਤਸਬੀ ਇਕ ਮਾਲਾ ਧਰਹੀ ॥ ਏਕ ਕੁਰਾਨ ਪੁਰਾਨ ਉਚਰਹੀ ॥ ਕਰਤ ਬਿਰੁਧ ਗਏ ਮਰ ਮੂੜਾ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੋ ਰੰਗੁ ਨ ਲਾਗਾ ਗੂੜਾ ॥੨੦॥

CHAUPAI One of them wears a Tasbi (the rosary of Muslims) and the other one wears Mala (the rosary of a Hindu); One of them recites the Quran and the other one reads Puranas; The adherents of both the religions are foolishly dying in opposing each other, And none of them is dyed in the love of the Lord.20.

[Lucky]

16 hours ago, akalpurkh said:

 

Counting is Contrary to Gurmat

Counting beads – ਮਾਲਾ ਫੇਰਨੀ, chanting with Maalaa (rosary)…

When Kabeer Sahib realized he wasted his life in Kashi (“ਸਗਲ ਜਨਮੁ ਸਿਵ ਪੁਰੀ ਗਵਾਇਆ ॥”, (sggs 326). ) by following the worthless rituals prescribed by the Brahmin / Pundit (such as counting beads – Maalaa or rosary, and so on), he moved from there. After realizing uselessness of empty rituals such as counting beads, he threw away the rosary and declared:

• ਭੂਖੇ ਭਗਤਿ ਨ ਕੀਜੈ ॥ ਯਹ ਮਾਲਾ ਅਪਨੀ ਲੀਜੈ ॥: Bhookhe bhagti na keejai. Jah maalaa apanee leejai: Bhagti (devotion…) cannot be performed while hungry (for Maya – Maya’s hunger, love of Maya…). (So) Here is Your Maalaa (rosary), take it back. (sggs 656).

The person who counts beads (ਮਾਲਾ ਫੇਰਨੀ) is full of hunger for Maya (ਮਾਇਆ ਦਾ ਭੁੱਖਾ) – totally Mann Mateeaa (ਮਨ ਮਤੀਆ-the Manmukh who lives against the Gurmat or Teaching of the Gurbani). Those who take on Maalaa are called “ਨਿਪੂਤੇ” (worthless son-ਔਂਤਰਾ) in the Gurbani, for in such worthless stubborn minded practice there can be noSukha (ਸੁਖ).

• ਜਬ ਕੀ ਮਾਲਾ ਲਈ ਨਿਪੂਤੇ ਤਬ ਤੇ ਸੁਖੁ ਨ ਭਇਓ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: Jabb kee maalaa laee nipoote tabb te sukhu n bhaio ||1||Rahaaou||: Ever since this worthless son (i.e., mind, ਔਂਤਰਾ ਮਨ…) has taken the Maalaa (rosary), since than there has been no Sukha (Joy, ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤੀ, Gain, etc.)! ||1||Pause|| (sggs 856).

Thus, the Gurbani repudiates (Khandan) Pakhand-Baazee (deception, hypocrisy, humbug, pretense, etc.) such as counting beads (chanting with Maalaa, rosary). Such nonsense was introduced by those who purposely intended to corrupt the Gurmat (Aatam-Giaan, Knowledge, Wisdom, or Teaching of the Gurbani). Instead of correcting this mistake, unfortunately, this falsehood is not only carried on, but further propagated by the Mayadhaaree Pujaaree-Group (Bhais, Granthees, Raagees, Jathedaars, Paathees, and so on). It’s all “Golak Daa Chakkar” (money)! The Gurbani wants us to make meditation (Naam-Simran: Gur-Giaan, Shabad-Vichaar…) the rosary enshrined in the Heart within.

• ਹਰਿ ਮਾਲਾ ਉਰ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਧਾਰੈ ॥ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਕਾ ਦੂਖੁ ਨਿਵਾਰੈ ॥੨॥: Har maalaa our antar dhaarai || Janam maran kaa dookh nivaarai ||2||: (That person who) enshrines the rosary of God’s Name within the heart, is freed of the pains of birth and death cycle ||2|| (sggs 388).

But still, as seen everyday, the emphasis of most of the clergy, clerics, Bhais, Raagees, Kathaakaars, Giaanees, Parchaaraks, Sants, Baabaas, etc., is to promote religious symbols and rituals that are strongly repudiated by the Gurbani. They are totally in contradiction with the Divine Teaching (Aatam-Giaan…) and purpose of the SGGS. Why does Gurbani rejects this nonsense? Because all calculations or all calculated Bhagti is in false ego-sense (Haumai). Consider these verses:

• ਹਉਮੈ ਸਭਾ ਗਣਤ ਹੈ ਗਣਤੈ ਨਉ ਸੁਖੁ ਨਾਹਿ ॥: All accounting is in egotism. In this accounting, there is no Peace (sggs 36).
• ਗਣਤੈ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਨ ਪਾਈਐ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਰਮੀਤਾ ॥: Ganatai prabhoo na paaeeai doojai bharameetaa: God cannot be obtained by counting; the mortal wanders in doubt — Maya, duality etc. (sggs 510).

This Giaan of the Gurbani is also meant for the Sikhs!! If we don’t believe it then we are not Sikhs. the Gurmat and Saakat-Matt are two different and opposing things. All counting is for the conditioned or material being (Manmukh, Saakat, Mayadhaaree…) for his life or world is in the realm of calculations — egoism or Maya.

There is no counting or calculations for the one who has become the Gurmukh (one who lives the Shabad-Giaan, Gur-Giaan, Gurmat…); because he knows he is not separate from God. He thus relieves himself of all egoistic or mental calculations through the constant abidance in his Joti-Svaroopa within.

So the Gurbani urges us to stop counting beads and become the Gurmukhi.

• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਗਲੀ ਗਣਤ ਮਿਟਾਵੈ ॥: Gurmukh sagalee ganath mittaavai: The Gurmukh erases all calculations (sggs 942).

 

Mala in Adi Granth Sahib

 

In Gurbani, Mala is used by Pundits and Vaishno, along with Dhoti and Tika.

 

ਜਬ ਕੀ ਮਾਲਾ ਲਈ ਨਿਪੂਤੇ ਤਬ ਤੇ ਸੁਖੁ ਨ ਭਇਓ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Ever since this worthless son of mine began chanting with his mala, we have had no peace at all! ||1||Pause|| (856, Kabir)

 

ਮਾਲਾ ਫੇਰੈ ਮੰਗੈ ਬਿਭੂਤ ॥ ਇਹ ਬਿਧਿ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਤਰਿਓ ਮੀਤ ॥੩॥
You chant on your mala, and beg for money. No one has ever been saved in this way, friend. ||3|| (888, Gur Arjan Dev)

 

ਮਾਥੇ ਤਿਲਕੁ ਹਥਿ ਮਾਲਾ ਬਾਨਾਂ ॥ ਲੋਗਨ ਰਾਮੁ ਖਿਲਉਨਾ ਜਾਨਾਂ ॥੧॥
Apply ceremonial marks to their foreheads, hold malas in their hands, and wear religious robes. people think that the Lord is a toy. ||1|| (1158, Kabir)

 

ਸਾਲ ਗ੍ਰਾਮ ਬਿਪ ਪੂਜਿ ਮਨਾਵਹੁ ਸੁਕ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਤੁਲਸੀ ਮਾਲਾ ॥ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਿ ਬੇੜਾ ਬਾਂਧਹੁ ਦਇਆ ਕਰਹੁ ਦਇਆਲਾ ॥੧॥
O Brahmin, you worship and believe in your stone-god, and wear your ceremonial rosary beads. Chant the Name of the Lord. Build your boat, and pray, "O Merciful Lord, please be merciful to me."||1|| (1170, mahalla 1)

 

 

 

ਗਲਿ ਮਾਲਾ ਤਿਲਕ ਲਿਲਾਟੰ ॥ ਦੁਇ ਧੋਤੀ ਬਸਤ੍ਰ ਕਪਾਟੰ ॥
ਜੋ ਜਾਨਸਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰ ਕਰਮੰ ॥ ਸਭ ਫੋਕਟ ਨਿਸਚੈ ਕਰਮੰ ॥
The mala is around your neck, and the sacred tilak mark is on your forehead. You wear two loin cloths, and keep your head covered.
If you know God and the nature of karma, you know that all these rituals and beliefs are useless. (1353, 1)

 

ਕਬੀਰ ਬੈਸਨੋ ਹੂਆ ਤ ਕਿਆ ਭਇਆ ਮਾਲਾ ਮੇਲੀਂ ਚਾਰਿ ॥ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਕੰਚਨੁ ਬਾਰਹਾ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਭਰੀ ਭੰਗਾਰ ॥੧੪੫॥
Kabeer, what good is it to become a devotee of Vishnu, and wear four malas? On the outside, he may look like pure gold, but on the inside, he is stuffed with dust. ||145|| (1372, Kabir)

 

Mala in Dasam Granth Sahib

 

 

 

Quotes from Dasam Granth

 

In Dasam granth, Guru Gobind Singh is not seen carrying Mala and nowhere is he promoting using of Mala. In commencement of Chaubis Avtar, He had a jibe on Mala Carrying Hindus and Muslims by saying which means that with even mala no one can dyed in love with lord.

 

ਚੌਪਈ ਇਕ ਤਸਬੀ ਇਕ ਮਾਲਾ ਧਰਹੀ ॥ ਏਕ ਕੁਰਾਨ ਪੁਰਾਨ ਉਚਰਹੀ ॥ ਕਰਤ ਬਿਰੁਧ ਗਏ ਮਰ ਮੂੜਾ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੋ ਰੰਗੁ ਨ ਲਾਗਾ ਗੂੜਾ ॥੨੦॥

 

CHAUPAI One of them wears a Tasbi (the rosary of Muslims) and the other one wears Mala (the rosary of a Hindu); One of them recites the Quran and the other one reads Puranas; The adherents of both the religions are foolishly dying in opposing each other, And none of them is dyed in the love of the Lord.20.

 

Dear member,

The above one-liner pangtees have to be addressed in the full context of the shabads and have been challenged previously on other forums because the messages have been distorted. You are free and kindly encouraged to start a sensible discussion in order to discuss the real esoteric messages for these shabads.

All our actions, whether they be counting, praying, preaching or whatever...can be done in BOTH a Manmat or Gurmat manner, depending on where the devotee's intentions and attention is focused at...... Bhagat Dhana, the simple jatt, had darshan of waheguru on more than one occasion before he became One with the almighty Lord-Sachey patshah.... Were his intentions towards the stone he worshipped gurmat or manmat??  (T.Singh is also welcome to come and have a sensible discussion about his interpretations as well)

 

[Lucky]

 

On ‎5‎/‎4‎/‎2006 at 0:20 PM, Harbhajan said:

http://www.swamij.com/108.htm

 

Meaning of 108 beads on a mala

by Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati

 

 

 

On a mala, or set of mantra counting beads, there are generally 108 beads, or some fraction of that number. The question often arises: Why are there 108 beads on a mala?

 

Below are some of the many reasons that have been given, as well as a few other points of interest. None of these reasons are being promoted here as more or less true than the others. However, you may notice that 108 appears to be somewhat like a road map of reality in general, and the human in particular.

 

Regardless of the meaning of 108, it is important that if a mala is used to count mantras, the mantra be remembered with sincerity, devotion, feeling, and full attention.

 

 

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 (2x2); 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.

 

Sanskrit alphabet: There are 54 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet. Each has masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti. 54 times 2 is 108.

 

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

 

Upanishads: Some say there are 108 Upanishads, texts of the wisdom of the ancient sages.

 

Sri Yantra: On the Sri Yantra there are marmas where three lines intersect, and there are 54 such intersections. Each intersections has masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti qualities. 54 times 2 equals 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.

 

Marmas: Marmas or marmasthanas are like energy intersections called chakras, except have fewer energy lines converging to form them. There are said to be 108 marmas in the subtle body.

 

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

 

8 extra beads: In doing a practice of counting the number of repetitions of the mala, 100 are counted as completed. The remaining are said to cover errors or omissions. The 8 are also said to be an offering to God and Guru.

 

Chemistry: Interestingly, there are about 115 elements known on the periodic table of the elements. Most of those, around or higher than the number 100 only exist in the laboratory, and some for only thousandths of a second. The number that naturally exist on Earth is around 100.

 

Astrology: There are 12 constellations, and 9 arc segments called namshas or chandrakalas. 9 times 12 equals 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 a latitude of 9 degrees (22 to 31). 12 times 9 equals 108.

 

Planets and Houses: In astrology, there are 12 houses and 9 planets. 12 times 9 equals 108.

 

Goddess names: There are said to be 108 Indian goddess names.

 

Gopis of Krishna: In the Krishna tradition, 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.

 

Sun and Earth: 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.

 

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

 

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.

 

Breath: Tantra estimates the average number of breaths per day at 21,600, of which 10,800 are solar energy, and 10,800 are lunar energy. Multiplying 108 by 100 is 10,800. Multiplying 2 x 10,800 equals 21,600.

 

Paths to God: Some suggest that there are 108 paths to God.

 

Smaller divisions: The number 108 is divided, such as in half, third, quarter, or twelfth, so that some malas have 54, 36, 27, or 9 beads.

 

Hinduism: 108 is said to refer to the number of Hindu deities. Some say that each of the deities has 108 names.

 

Islam: The number 108 is used in Islam to refer 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 quiding bead, the one that marks the beginning and end of the mala.

 

Dance: There are 108 forms of dance in the Indian traditions.

 

Praiseworthy souls: There are 108 qualities of praiseworthy souls.

 

First man in space: The first manned space flight lasted 108 minutes, and was on April 12, 1961 by Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut.

Also, in addition to the 108 bead malas we also find some smaller malas such as the sarbloh karrahs with mala beads with numbers like "27"  or some small garlands with "54" beads  etc.....NOTE- that these numbers ALWAYS add up to 9.

[Guest guest]

I once read that its because the digits add up to 9, 1+0+8=9.  

All such numbers are used for male beads in india- 9, 27 (2+7), 108,

but i do not know the significance of 9.  sorry!

[Guest guest]

*mala beads