Significance of # 108

An interesting find.

An interesting read.

Indian mythology and Indian culture has a very special significance of the number 108. What does this number represent? Why is it so important? 

1) In one minute, we breathe in approximately 15 times, in 1 hour 900 times, and in 12 hours 10,800 times, and in a day 10,800 * 2 times. A day consists of 24 hours, and if we set aside half the day for our day to day routines, then one can spend 12 hours for recitation of one’s idol. Therefore, the maximum number  of times that one can recite “mantra”, or perform “Jap” are 10,800. If one wants to obtain 100% benefit of its jap, then performing jap 108 times will give you the benefit of 100%. That’s why in a “Mala”, there are 108 beads. It is written in Vedas, that 1 Jap corresponds to1 mala (which has 108 beads), therefore performing jap of 108 malas will result in 100% benefit.

2) Astronomically,  there are 27 constellations in our galaxy and each one them has 4 directions, and 27 x 4 = 108. In other words the number 108 covers the whole galaxy.

3) According to Indian scriptures, letter 9 corresponds to Lord Brahma (the creator of universe). Mathematically, the interesting property of 9 is

9 × 1 = 9

9 x 2 = 18 (8+1 = 9)

9 x 3 = 27 (7+2 = 9)

9  x 12 = 108 

(1+0+8 = 9) 

4) In Hindu religion, number 9 is very important. Keeping the importance of number 9, Rishi Vyas has created 9 Purans, 108 MahaPuran (Upanishads). Mahabharat has 18 chapters, Geeta has 18 chapters, Bhagavat has 108,000 Shloks (verses). The addition of digits of number 108 is 9, and number 9 is related with Brahma, that’s why 108 is very important, and came into lot of Indian scriptures.

5) Indian Vedas, treats the Sun as God, and Sun has 12 signs (Zodiac signs). In Yajurved, Sun is related with Lord Brahma (the number 9), remember - 12 x 9 = 108; therefore for Gods Prayer, the number 108 is very sacred.

6) According to Indian mythology, there are 4  Yugs:

Satyug - consists of 

172,800 years (1+7+2+8 = 18 = (1+8 = 9)

TretaYug - consists of 

1,296,000 years (1+2+9+6 = 18 = (1+8 = 9)

DwaparYug - consists of 

864,000 years (8+4+6) = 18 = (1+8 = 9)

Kaliyug -  consists of 

432,000 years (4+3+2) = 9 

I'm blessed to be living on 108th street :) 

Must have spices in your spice rack

Spices and herbs have healing powers.  
Spices and herbs are in direct relation to the entire holistic functioning of the body.
They're therapeutic.
Flavorful.
Convenient.

Be sure to have the following spices in your spice rack. 

• Turmeric
• Coriander
• Fennel
• Cumin
• Cinnamon
• Cardamom
• Nutmeg
• Cloves
• Asafoetida 
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Basil
• Cayenne
• Black pepper
• Saffron
• Ajwain
• Dill
• Mustard seeds
• Sea salt
• Black salt
• Fenugreek 

Pitta & Coconut Oil

Greetings.

It's almost the month of October and the summer is coming to an end.
I hope you all had a great summer.

Since the weather is transitioning to be a little cooler than the earlier months of summer, we all can still benefit from adapting to our routine to the seasons and following specific guidelines that will help us balance our bodies.

Pitta season is the summer season July - October.  And a lot of us can become aggravated, in the body and or the mind because of the fire and heat from the universe.  Pitta type physical imbalances can occur such as inflammation, skin irritations, heat rashes, diarrhea, etc.  I noticed a rash on my right arm.  It first started out as a minor itch, which later escalated to tiny white bumps and with all the scratching I was doing made it red in color, which in turn aggravated my Pitta.  And since it's the summer time and I needed to cool the Pitta in me, I started to apply coconut oil.  Coconut oil has a cooling effect and improves many skin disorders such as - eczema, fungal infections, heat rashes and acne to name a few.  I'm getting great relief with minor itching and the redness is gong down.  So the next time you have an itch or irritation on the skin, apply some coconut oil and massage for about 10 minutes and let the oil just soak in your skin.  It will definitely cool you down.

Healthy Fun Facts 3 - Bananas

Benefiting from Bananas - 

• promotes bulk
• good for eyes
• contains potassium, sugar, glucose, Vitamins B-complex and C
• reduces bleeding tendencies
• good for IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
• diarrhea
• increases strength in babies
• increases blood hemoglobin levels 

Ritucharya - Seasonal Routine

Greetings.

Yesterday I blogged about Dinacharya or daily routine and today I’m going to tell you about Ritucharya or seasonal routine.  We are all constantly interacting with ourselves, with each other and the universe.  And to maintain that equilibrium, we have to work in accordance with the laws of nature and the changes of the earth.

We get day and night because the earth travels through the galaxies and the cosmos.  And because the earth rotates around the sun, we get seasons.  Therefore we receive all the changes in our body as it is in the atmosphere.  

‘Yatha pinde tatha brahmande’ 

As is the individual so is the cosmos

Everything is constantly changing and nothing is stationary.  We are moving with the earth all the time.  If we change with the universe, we’ll feel balance, steady and whole.  We can’t control or stop the season or nature, but we can control how we interact with the seasons.  For example, in the winter it is cold, therefore we’ll wear a winter coat.  Seasonally we change so that we can experience the entire variety that nature has to offer.  

I feel that if we all stick to what nature has to offer, we all will be in balance, positive and have great energy.  In todays supermarkets, all kinds of food items are available for our pleasure all the time.  They don’t have the specific foods according to the seasons.  Can you imagine how our lives would be if all the supermarkets of the world only carried those foods that we had to feed our body as a fuel for that specific season?  It blows my mind.  

The year is divided into 6 seasons - 

1 - Hemant - early winter - avoid light and cold foods and drinks 

2 - Shishir - late winter - avoid bitter, pungent and astringent foods and drinks

3 - Vasant - spring - avoid unctuous, heavy, sour and sweet foods and drinks

4 - Grishm - summer - best to avoid alcohol and drink lots of water; avoid salty, sour, hot and pungent foods and drinks

5 - Varsha - rainy season - avoid cold and sweet drinks; favor sour, salty and unctuous foods 

6 - Sharad - autumn - sweet, light, cold and bitter foods and drinks should be in favor

Dinacharya - Daily Routine

If we adhere to the rules of a healthy lifestyle, our doshas will establish a sense of  balance and we will maintain perfect health and happiness.  In Ayurveda, Dinacharya or daily routine is important because it brings the body, mind and consciousness in a state of balance and regulates all functions of the body.

I’m sure we all have a tendency to fall off the track when we’re not supposed to, but I personally feel that is all right to do.  And speaking as an Ayurvedic practitioner, falling off the map or taking the wrong turn or learning from mistakes and even the findings of your own self through sometimes the wrong will help you in gaining the knowledge you need to learn and grow from.

Those that have a typical 9-5 job might be able to adapt to this type of lifestyle because it’s the basic up in the morning, get ready, grab a coffee and you’re out the door.  Those that have a more easy and subdued lifestyle may find it harder as you’re more casual and laid back when performing your activities.  Whatever lifestyle you live by, following certain remedies will benefit you by maintaining that balance in your mind and body. 

Below is a daily routine that we all must try.  I recommend you all to give this a shot and see how aligned your body and mind will become and the sense of balance you will feel. 

Ayurvedic Daily Routine - 

Morning:

• arise early in the morning
• evacuate bowels and bladder
• brush teeth
• scrape tongue
• self body massage with oil to head, body and soles of feet for about 10 minutes
• shave and cut nails
• gargle with sesame oil
• bathe or shower
• drink 2-3, 12-14 oz glasses of room temperature or warm water on an empty stomach
• Transcendental Meditation or any other meditation technique you practice 
• exercise according to individual recommendations
• wear clean and comfortable clothing suitable to season and activity
• light breakfast (optional), depending upon your dosha 
• work or study

Afternoon:

• lunch: a balanced diet according to your dosha 
• brief rest after lunch
• work or study
• Transcendental Meditation or any other meditation technique you practice

Evening:

• dinner: (optional), a balanced diet according to your dosha 
• pleasant, relaxing activity, (for example - an evening walk) or according to your dosha some exercise
• self body massage with oil to head, body and soles of feet for about 10 minutes
• bed time 

The 7 Don'ts After A Meal

An interesting read I received and want to share.

1     Don't smoke - Experiment from experts proves that smoking a cigarette after meal is comparable to smoking 10 cigarettes (chances of   cancer is higher).                                                                                          2    Don't eat fruits immediately - Immediately eating fruits after meals will cause the stomach to be bloated with air.  Therefore take fruit 1-2 hours after meals or 1 hour before meal.                                            3     Don't drink tea - Because tea leaves contain a high content of acid,  this substance will cause the protein content in the food we consume to be hardened thus difficult to digest.      4     Don't loosen your belt - Loosening the belt after a meal will easily cause the intestine to be twisted and blocked.                                                5    Don't bathe - Bathing will cause the increase of blood flow to the hands, legs and body thus the amount of blood around the stomach will therefore decrease.  This will weaken the digestive system in our stomach.                                                                                                                                                6    Don't walk about - People always say that after a meal walk a hundred steps and you will live till 99.  In actual fact this is not true.  Walking will cause the digestive system to be unable to absorb the nutrition from the food we intake.                                                                                                                              7    Don't sleep immediately - The food we intake will not be able to digest properly.  Thus will lead to gastric and infection in our intestine.