Significance of OM or AUM Mantra

                                                                        OM

'Om' (Aum) does not belong to any religion and any community. It is a universal energy gaining technique. Whenever we pronounce that sacred word perfectly, we receive enormous energy from the Nature. It vibrates in all our Chakras [Mulaadhara, Swadhistana, Manipuraka, Anaahatha, Vishudha, Aagna and Sahasrara] and Nerve [Naadi Shudhi] system. OM is the most Valuable and important mantra of all mantras. All mantras generally begin with Om and often also end with Ohm. Ohm is the mantra of assent, it energizes whatever we say after it. That is  the reason why all mantras begin with Om. Om is also the mantra of ascent and causes our energy to rise upward into the infinite from the Mulaadhara. Om is expansive and increases the fire, earth, air, water and ether[sky] elements (Panchbhuta), particularly ether. It also gives strength, protection, energy and grace. It connects us with the guiding power of the inner Guru [i.e, the inner nature or inner-self , which has the same potential as the outer nature].

Watch:

Difference Between Astral Cord And Silver Cord

Difference between Astral Cord & Silver Cord

Cords connect our body or soul to body or supreme soul.

There are two types of cords:

1. Silver Cord 
2. Astral Cord

1.Silver Cord:
                
                This cord connects the physical body to astral body. In our physical body there are 6 more bodies embedded. All these 7 bodies will be dealt in detail in a future post. 

                Whenever our physical body takes rest then our astral body takes the active part or vice versa.

In our dreams our astral body is connected to physical body with the help of the silver cord.  

Astral Body connecting to the physical body through Silver Cord

               The origin of the silver cord is between naabhi sthana [abdomen] of the physical body to naabhi sthana of the astral body.

                This silver cord is created with some energy depending on one's prarabha karma and this will be influencing his life span of  his present life on the earth. If the energy in this cord is gone then his life is said to be over [dead]. Once loses energy is his silver cord as his age is passed and once total energy is lost then that will be the end of his life. So our lifespan depends on the silver cord’s energy. When we say this, naturally a questions pops up in our minds:

What will happen i f a person commits  suicide or suffers accident or gets murdered?
When a person's life ends abruptly either due to self-forcing or accidental, then his remaining silver cord energy will take a shape of etheric body [i.e., the shape of his last life body] and will be wandering as long as its silver cord  is having some energy. After that only an astral body goes to astral world from this physical world. That astral body is only called soul or aatma. If some knave people use that soul for negative things [by performing some kind of kshudra pujas] then we can call it as negative soul or Pretaatma.

2.Astral Cord:

                Astral cord is the cord created by higher souls [poornaatmas or prajaa patees], once soul is generated by them. 

                 The origin of the Astral cord is between thalamus [brahma randhra] and it is always connected to the supreme soul. 

                 This cord is used to connect the astral body to Higher souls or Supreme soul. How many lives may be taken by the soul, this connection will be always the same for every life  and it is used to store all his activities, emotions, egos, sins[bad], divinity[good],etc. It is used to store all our karmas and by which we take lives and face actions, situations.etc. according that karmas.

The Four Stages of Human Life - Ashrama Dharma

The Four Stages of Human Life

FOUR STAGES OR AASHRAMAAS

From the birth to death human's life is divided into 4 main stages (aashramaas) as follows:

1. Brahmacharya aashrama
2. Grihastha aashrama
3. Vanaprastha aashrama
4. Sanyasa aashrama

1.Brahmacharya aashrama:

                In this aashrama a little boy who  able to learn something from others, is sent to some gurus or some gurukulams or some training centers to gain  some knowledge (like physical sciences or spiritual science or philosophy and social discipline  and self discipline etc.,) which is useful to his future life. There he only learns that what his master said to do so. He completely surrenders himself to his master without any egos, emotions, feelings, etc. He strictly follows the rules of physical detachment [even in feeling] because his concentration shouldn't get deviated or weakened,  and he will always be [on the move or charinchadam] with the guru [brahma]. That’s why it is called Brahma-Charyam.

                In this stage or aashrama dharma, he should not carry or maintain or store money for his personal purposes. He is just like a slave or true disciple to his master.

2.Grihastha aashrama:

                After gaining the knowledge regarding his future life and as he starts earning, he get married and then start a new stage or new life of Grihasthu (having family). After that he has to take the responsibility of his family and society (contributing some profit like 10% or above to other good things like helping poor, older people or orphans, offering help to construct Anadha Saranalayams, temples, etc.,). He has to help the others who is following the other three aashramaas [Brahmachari, vanaprastha and sanyasa]. He must follows his customs without fail as long as he is a Grihasthu.

                In this stage or aashrama he should maintain money or store money for his future purposes.

3.Vanaprastha aashrama:

                After finishing his all responsibilities towards family and society [settlement of their children’s life, arranging marriages of their children, etc.,] he has to start a new life of pilgrimage involving pilgrimage or thirtha yaatras, visiting various ashramas, participating in satsangs (or spiritual preaching), etc. In Vanaprastha stage he has to spend most of his time to attain the WISDOM. He must follow some of the societal customs in this stage also.

                In this stage he should handover all his properties to his children [can keep some part of the money for his pilgrimage or can take from their sons or others depending on the situations].

  4.Sanyasa aashrama:

                After finishing his Vanaprastha Dharma he takes Sanyasaashrama (renounced life). Because in this stage he is not strong enough to visit various places like thirtha yaatras or visiting various ashrams. So in this stage he will be waiting for completing his life in a peaceful manner [like moksha], so he will be spending his remaining life for practicing to achieve the moksha [meaning no life after death or his aatma entering into paramaatma or merging his soul into supreme soul]. No need to follow any customs in this stage. He has to be detached with every relation and every custom.

                In this stage he should not carry any money with him. He has to depend on Grihastus and seek for the moksha only.

Three types of Karma

  THREE TYPES OF KARMA

There are three kinds of Karma that act always on every Human being , they are the Past Karma [Sanchitha Karma], the Present Karma [Prarabdha Karma] and the Future [Aagami] Karma,
Past Karma[Sanchitha Karma]:
This karma belongs to our past lives, regarding to our sins and divinity [i.e.bad activities and good activities], which is stored in our astral chord [it starts from the place of Brahma randhra of every soul] and we take birth according to our sins and divinity.

Present Karma[Prarabdha Karma]:
We can not face all our past sins and divinity in one life. So we take so many lives on this earth and workout our karma in parts. In each and every life we face a little bit of additional karma and that is called Prarabdha Karma. This karma is caused by every actions and emotions in our present life.

Future [Aagami] Karma:
What we are facing karma in this life is a little bit of karma only, remaining karma is yet to be face d in our forth coming lives and that karma is called Aagami Karma. If we don't have any aagami karma and it means that we have already faced prarabdha and sanchitha karma and we longer need to come back to this earth again from higher planes ,i.e. is Moksha.

             One who is having karma [what ever type it may be] he has to come back on this earth because his frequencies [karmas]  are tuned by the earth to act or react accordingly. Where he is created, there only he has to face the karma, that means when a soul accumulates karma on this earth it should face its karma on this earth only. That is why the soul has to come back on this earth again and again as long as it is cleaned of all his karmas on this earth. Then only he will get the salvation or Moksha [freedom from birth and death].

Goal

Varied are the tastes, many are the paths to a goal.
Some are righteous, some are crooked,
Yet all aim to reach the goal,
Just like all the rivers lead to the ocean.
Similarly, man traverses to Thee

Divine Flower - Brahma Kamal

Information about Brahma Kamal

In Hindu drawings Brahma is seen sitting on a pink flower that is resembling lotus (Kamal), which is Indian National flower. Hence people claim that the pink flower of Nelumbo nucifera to be Brahma Kamal. However others claim the flower on which he is sitting on, which resembles lotus is sprouted from belly button of Lord Vishnu. The flower which Bramha is holding in one of his four hands, a white flower resembling Saussurea obvallata is Bramha Kamal. There are people who claim that flower of Epiphyllum oxypetalum (Orchid Cactus), which blooms at night, to be Brahma kamal. Some North Indians claim that the flower of Saussurea obvallata to be Brmaha Kamal.

The Lotus Of Brahma: The names of this magical flower can be translated to mean, 'the lotus of Bramha'. Lord Brahma, the creator of the Universe, is always depicted as sitting on a huge lotus and holding one in his hand. Another name for Lord Brahma is Kanja or the one born out of the water. So, schools of thought say that Brahma was born from the navel of Lord Vishnu while others say that he was born from a huge white lotus that we call the Brahma Kamal.

The Life Giving Lotus: The story of the birth of Ganesha is a popular one. When Shiva attached the head of an elephant on Ganesha' s body, he was bathed with water that was sprinkled from a Brahma Kamal. That is why this lotus is given the status of a live-restoring flower of the gods. To evaluate it in terms of modern science, this flower has many medicinal properties.

The Golden Lotus: When the Pandavas were in exile in the forests, Draupadi accompanied them. She was constantly tormented by painful memories of her insult in the Kaurava court. The hardships of a forest life also took its toll on her. One evening she saw a beautiful lotus float away in the stream. After she saw this 'golden' lotus bloom, she felt a strange happiness that was almost spiritual. But the lotus withered as quickly as it had bloomed. Draupadi sent her most devoted husband Bhima to look for it and on his quest for the flower he met Hanuman (Bhima's elder brother). As a lotus is usually pink, 'golden' may mean a shimmering 'white'. This story too is a reference to this mysterious flower.

Wish Fulfilling: It is long held belief that anybody who sees this rare flower blooming will have all his or her wishes fulfilled. It is not easy to watch it bloom because it blooms in the late evening and stays only for a couple of hours. Also the fact that it is supposed to bloom once in 14 years makes it a very rare sight.

These are some of references to this divine flower in Hindu mythology. Do you know any more such stories about this flower of the Gods?

Shri Dwarkadhish Mandir

Shri Dwarkadhish Mandir, Gujarat State, India. : Jai Dwarkadhish

The world famous ancient town of Dwarka needs hardly any introduction. The holy town of Dwarka in Gujarat has a history that dates back centuries. Located on the confluence of Gomati River and the Gulf of Kutchh, Dwarka is famed for being the capital of Lord Krishna. The ancient Dwarka city is believed to have been submerged by raging sea waters to the bottom of the sea, where the remains are still believed to exist. A temple of Dwarkadhish Ji (Lord Krishna) was built at the site around 400 BC by Vajranabh Ji, the great grand son of Lord Krishna. The existing temple is a 15th / 16th century structure constructed in Chalukya style in 27 m x 21 m area. Its tallest peak is 51.8 m high, its east-west length is 29 m and north-south width is 23m. It is said that Dwarka’s pilgrim starts receiving fruits of Ashwamedh Yajna from the moment he commences his journey towards Dwarka.

Also known as the Jagat Mandir, the temple has two shikhars. The Nij shikhar is where the idol of Lord Dwarkadhish is placed. The huge temple consists of 60 exquisitely carved pillars and a number of beautiful sculptures that depict the influence of various dynasties such as the Guptas, Pallavas, Martraks, Chavdas and Chanakyas, that ruled Dwarka over the years. The entrance to the temple is from the north, also known as the Moksha Dwaar while towards the south is the Swarg Dwaar, from where a series of steps leads down to the banks of river Gomti. According to legend, the temple was constructed in a single day by Vishwakarma, the lord of construction.

The idol of Lord Dwarkadhish is made of shiny black stone and is about 2.25 ft in height. The four hands of the Lord carries a conch, wheel, a metallic weapon and a lotus each and is popularly known as ‘Shankh, Chakra, Gada, Padma, Chaturbhuj’. It is said that the idol was hidden for years to protect it from Muslim invaders while another idol brought from the Rukmini temple was installed in its absence. The original idol was reinstalled during the 16th century after the construction of the new temple.

Dwarkadhish Mandir is one of the four temples of Char Dharm Yatra. This yatra(pilgrimage) is every Hindu's dream.

Jai Dwarkadhish
Jai Ranchhodji
Jai Shri Krishna

Shiva Panchakshara Stotram

Shiva Panchakshara Stotram : Om Namah Shivay

This holy stotra to worship Him is made of five letters and is popularly called Panchakshara: “Na Ma Si Va ya”. Each of these letters is considered non-different from Him and He is praised for His great qualities.



Nagendra haraya Trilochanaya,

Basmanga ragaya maheswaraya,
Nithyaya shudhaya digambaraya,
Tasmai nakaraya namashivaya., 1
Meaning :
My salutations to the letter “Na”, which is Shiva,
Who wears as garland the king of snakes.
Who has three eyes,
Who wears ash all over Him,
Who is the greatest Lord,
Who is forever,
Who is the cleanest,
And who wears the directions themselves as dress.


Mandakini salila chandana charchithaya,
Nandeeswara pramadha nadha maheswaraya,
Mandra pushpa bahu pushpa supoojithaya,
Tasmai makaraya namashivaya., 2
Meaning :
My salutations to the letter “Ma”, which is Shiva,
Who is bathed by waters of ganges,
Who applies sandal paste all over him,
Who has Lord Nandi as his chiefton,
Who is the greatest lord,
And who is worshipped by Mandhara and many other flowers.


Shivaaya gowri vadanara vinda,
Sooryaya daksha dwara naasakaya,
Sri neela kantaya vrisha dwajaya,
Tasmai sikaraya namashivaya., 3
Meaning :
My salutations to the letter “Si”, which is Shiva,
Who is peace personified,
Who is like Sun to the Lotus face of Gowri,
Who destroyed the fire sacrifice of Daksha,
Who has a blue neck,
And who has a bull in his flag.


Vasishta kumbhodhbhava gowthamadhi.
Munendra devarchitha shekaraya,
Chandrarka vaiswanara lochanaya,
Tasmai vakaraya namashivaya., 4
Meaning :
My salutations to the letter “Va”, which is Shiva,
Who is worshipped by great sages like,
Vasishta, Agasthya and Gowthama,
As also the devas,
And who has sun, moon and fire as his three eyes.


Yaksha swaroopaya jada dharaya,
Pinaka hasthathaya sanathanaya,
Divyaya devaaya digambaraya,
Tasmai yakaraya namashivaya., 5
Meaning :
My salutations to the letter “Ya”, which is Shiva,
Who takes the form of Yaksha,
Who has a tufted hair,
Who is armed with spear,
Who is forever filled with peace,
Who is godly,
Who is the great God,
And who wears the directions themselves as dress.


Phalasruthi
--------------
Panchaksharamidham punyam,
Ya padeth Shiva sannidhou,
Shivaloka maapnothi,
Shive na saha modathe.
Meaning :
Those who read these holy five letters great,
In the temple of Shiva,.
Would go to the world of Shiva,
And be forever happy with Him.

Asato maa sad-gamaya

May all be blessed, May all be happy : Om Shanti , Shanti , Shantihi:

Om Asato maa sad-gamaya,
tamaso maa jyotir-ga-maya,
mrtyor-maa amrutam gamaya.
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih.

Meaning :
O Lord Lead me from the unreal to the real.
Lead me from the darkness to light.
Lead me from death to immortality.
May there be peace, peace, and perfect peace.

-A Sanskrit invocation from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (1.3.28)

108 the holy number

108 the holy number:

The ancient Indians excelled at mathematics and numerology, and the pattern of 108 appears in many forms and the meaning of 108 is profound.
The number 108 connects the Sun, Moon, and Earth: The average distance of the Sun and the Moon to Earth is 108 times their respective diameters. You can imagine how this fact has influenced the practice of yoga, where much significance is given to the balance of Earth and the Celestial realm. At a foundational level, the word “Hatha,” as in the physical practice of yoga, is the alignment of sun (ha) and moon (tha), a balance of opposing forces, dualism, masculine and feminine energies. In Sanskrit, there are 54 letters in the alphabet. Each has masculine and feminine, Shiva and Shakti, and 54 times 2 is 108. Nearly all of the ancient Vedic texts, which are the philosophical and foundational works of Hinduism, carry a theme of 108 in one form or another: for instance, there are 108 Upanishads, number of beads in a Japa mala, Pradakshina in temple. The numbers 9 and 12 have much significance in many spiritual traditions: 9 times 12 is 108. Also, 1 plus 8 equals 9. 9 times 12 equals 108. 108 is a Harshad number, which is an integer divisible by the sum of its digits (Harshad is from Sanskrit, and means “great joy”). There are said to be 108 lies, 108 earthly desires and 108 evils and deceptions in mortals. Then there are the 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. Keep reading for more examples,

Cosmology:
1- Distance between earth... and sun = 108 times sun-diameter,
2- Distance between earth and moon = 108 times moon-diameter,
3- Diameter of the sun = 108 times the earth diameter.

Astrology:
In astrology, there are 12 houses and 9 planets. 12 times 9 equals 108. There are 12 rasi (sun signs) of 30 degrees each in the zodiac. These rasi are connected to the Adityas (12 Sun gods) and the rasi are said to give the results of the Sun. The Sun is karaka (significator) for the 1st and the houses 9th houses. When you take each rasi and divide it into nine amsas (divisions) it creates the Navamsa (9th divisional chart). 30 degrees divided by nine gives 9 signs of 3 degrees and 20 minutes each. With each of the 12 signs containing 9 amsas there is 108 amsas. This Navamsa shows the inherent qualities of the soul, a native’s dharma (purpose), bhagya (luck), and one’s spouse. The Navamsa is the 108 sign chart held in high esteem in Vedic astrology and a Vedic astrologer doesn’t read a birth chart without the navamsa sitting next to it.

The Moon goes through the zodiac in approximately 27 days which creates the lunar zodiac called the nakshatras. The Moon is karaka (significator) for the 4th house. Each of these 27 lunar signs are divided into 4 amsas (divisions) called padas (feet/footsteps). The nakshatras (lunar signs) are 13-20 degrees and divided by four become 3-20 degrees. 27 nakshatras multiplied by 4 padas is 108.

The 3-20 division reveals itself as the most crucial division. The Moon sign’s padas and the Sun sign’s navamsas line up with the number 108. 108 is the number where the Moon (manas) and Sun (atman/ahamkar) line up. It is where the Moon’s cycle can be aligned with the Sun’s cycle. 108 is a number that aligns the mind and the soul.

The 3-20 division aligns the Sun and the Moon, which also shows the alignment of Shiva and Parvati or the Purusha and Prakritti. The 108 division is the coming together of Purusha and Prakritti, it is the creation of the world.

Ayurveda:
There are a 108 marmas in the body. They are points that can heal or kill a living being. They are considered the points where consciousness connects to the body, where Purusha (consciousness) is brought into Prakritti (body) to give life to the living being (both humans and animals have these points). The 108 intersections on the Sri Chakra again relate to this numbers ability invoke the balance of Purusha and Prakritti and the primordial ability of the rishi to see both clearly.
There are 108 Marmas in the body, junction points where Consciousness is tied into the the flesh. When we say 108 mantras it acts as a Kavach (protection) to each point.

Numerology:
1 + 0 + 8 = 9. Nine is the number of completion. As zero is the first number and after 9 the numbers start to repeat themselves. The 9 substantial numbers are representing the 9 archetypes of human existence (the navagraha). Nine is sometimes connected to Ketu, the moksa Karaka (significator of liberation), the planet that brings higher awareness, expanded vision and moksha (liberation). Ketu is connected to the deity Ganesh who guards the door to the Mother Kundalini who gives us Moksha.
1 + 0 + 8 = 9.

Numerologically, nine is a very special number, it always returns to itself. Look how it behaves with other numbers:
9 x 1 = 9
9 x 2 = 18, 1 + 8 = 9
9 x 3 = 27, 2 + 7 = 9
9 x 4 = 36, 3 + 6 = 9
9 x 5 = 45, 4 + 5 = 9
9 x 6 = 54, 5 + 4 = 9
9 x 7 = 63, 6 + 3 = 9
9 x 8 = 72, 7 + 2 = 9
9 x 9 = 81, 8 + 1 = 9
9 x 10=90, 9 + 0 = 9
9 x 11=99, 9 + 9 = 18, 1 + 8 = 9
9 x 12 = 108

Festival:
In the Durga Saptasati, the goddess Durga has nine forms known as the Navadurga. The number 9 is connected to the goddess Durga whose yantra (geometric symbol) contains the 9 pointed star and who is celebrated on Navratri (the nine nights of the goddess). In Hindu Kalachakra astrology it is Durga who guards the prana of the body, she guards our core vitality.

Yoga
The chakras are the intersections of energy channels, and there are said to be a total of 108 energy channels 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. And when we do our mantras 108 times it allows the mantra to flow through each of these channels (as well as each of the 108 navamsas that a planet could be placed in).
When the ocean of milk was churned in the beginning of time, it could only be done with the working unity of the devas (gods) and asuras (demons). They used a great snake to churn the ocean of milk (the milky way) there were 54 devas on the side of the tail and 54 asuras on the side of the heads. They churned the ocean searching for the amrita (the nectar of immortality). Before it arose from the ocean many poisons and blessing arose. These represent our 54 negative qualities that churn with the 54 positive qualities in the spiritual work of looking for the amrita within. This churning allows the kundalini to rise on the mountain axis of our spine with the turtle of the root chakra below.

Zodiac:
The 108 navamsa/padas are permanently charted into the zodiac. The Sun traverses these through out the year. The 54 demons are the Sun's Southern Course (Dakshina Ayana) where there is more darkness on the northern hemisphere. The 54 devas are the Northern Course of the Sun (Uttara Ayana). It is the time of the devas, where light is more prevelant.

Srivaishnavism has 108 Divya Kshetras of Lord Vishnu, called as 108 DivyaDesam.

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

Lies: There are said to be 108 lies that humans tell.

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

River Ganga: The sacred River Ganga Co-ordinates Latitude 30° N and Longitude 78° E.
30 +78 = 108

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.

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

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.

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

Delusions: There are said to be 108 human delusions or forms of ignorance of mind,
example: abuse, aggression, ambition, anger, arrogance, baseness, blasphemy calculation, callousness, capriciousness (unaccountable changes of mood or behavior) censoriousness (being severely critical of others), conceitedness, contempt, cruelty, cursing, debasement, deceit, deception, delusion, derision, desire for fame, dipsomania (alcoholism characterized by intermittent bouts of craving), discord, disrespect, disrespectfulness, dissatisfaction, dogmatism, dominance, eagerness for power, effrontery (insolent or impertinent behavior), egoism, enviousness, envy, excessiveness, faithlessness, falseness, furtiveness, gambling, garrulity (tediously talking about trivial matters), gluttony, greed, greed for money grudge, hardheartedness, hatred, haughtiness, high-handedness, hostility, humiliation, hurt, hypocrisy, ignorance, imperiousness (assuming power or authority without justification), imposture (pretending to be someone else in order to deceive), impudence, inattentiveness, indifference, ingratitude, insatiability, insidiousness, intolerance, intransigence (unwilling or refusing to change one’s views or to agree about something), irresponsibility, jealousy, know-it-all, lack of comprehension, lecherousness, lying, malignancy, manipulation, masochism, mercilessness, negativity, obsession, obstinacy, obstinacy, oppression, ostentatious, pessimism, prejudice, presumption, pride, prodigality (spending money or using resources freely and recklessly), quarrelsomeness, rage, rapacity (being aggressively greedy or grasping), ridicule, sadism, sarcasm, seduction, self-denial, self-hatred, sexual lust, shamelessness, stinginess, stubbornness, torment, tyranny, unkindness, unruliness, unyielding, vanity, vindictiveness, violence, violent temper, voluptuousness, wrath.

Upanishads: Texts of the wisdom of the ancient sages.
108 Upanishads as per Muktikopanishad

Rigveda(10): Aitareya , Atmabodha, Kaushitaki, Mudgala, Nirvana, Nadabindu, Akshamaya, Tripura, Bahvruka, Saubhagyalakshmi.

Yajurveda(50): Katha, Taittiriya , Isavasya , Brihadaranyaka, Akshi, Ekakshara, Garbha, Prnagnihotra, Svetasvatara, Sariraka, Sukarahasya, Skanda, Sarvasara, Adhyatma, Niralamba, Paingala, Mantrika, Muktika, Subala, Avadhuta, Katharudra, Brahma, Jabala, Turiyatita, Paramahamsa, Bhikshuka, Yajnavalkya, Satyayani, Amrtanada, Amrtabindu, Kshurika, Tejobindu, Dhyanabindu, Brahmavidya, YogakundalinI, Yogatattva, Yogasikha, Varaha, Advayataraka, Trisikhibrahmana, mandalabrahmana, Hamsa, Kalisantaraaa, Narayana, Tarasara, Kalagnirudra, Dakshinamurti, Pancabrahma, Rudrahrdaya, SarasvatIrahasya.

SamaVeda(16): Kena, Chandogya, Mahat, Maitrayani, Vajrasuci, Savitri, Aruneya, Kundika, Maitreyi, Samnyasa, Jabaladarsana, Yogacudaman, Avyakta, Vasudevai, Jabali, Rudrakshajabala.

Atharvaveda(32): Prasna , Mandukya, Mundaka, Atma, Surya, Narada-Parivrajakas, Parabrahma, Paramahamsa-Parivrajakas, Pasupatha-Brahma, Mahavakya, Sandilya, Krishna, Garuda, Gopalatapani, Tripadavibhuti-mahnarayana, Dattatreya, Kaivalya, NrsimhatapanI, Ramatapani, Ramarahasya, HayagrIva, Atharvasikha, Atharvasira, Ganapati, Brhajjabala, Bhasmajabala, Sarabha, Annapurna, TripuratapanI, Devi, Bhavana, SIta

1 = God or higher Truth
0 = emptiness or completeness in spiritual practice,
8 = infinity or eternity

108 is a number which resonates throughout the universe, as this shows. The reason why we do our mantra jap 108 times is because its a symbol of our journey towards our higher/spiritual self. Using the number 108 helps us coordinate the rhythm of time and space & we remain in harmony with the spiritual powers of nature.

The Gunaas

The Gunaas:
Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati
Kapilopadesha, 2, 10
Prakriti is constituted of the three Gunas of Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas. It is imperceptible, not being apprehended by any organ of knowledge, but it exists eternally, as it provides the basis and substance for all objects in their causal and effectual conditions.
These are described in Aswamedha Parva, Sections 34 to 39 in Mahabharata.
...
Brahma (the Grandsire Prajapati) said:
Darkness, Passion and Goodness–these are called the three qualities.
Darkness should be known to have the night (or obscurity) for its essence. It is otherwise called Delusion. It has unrighteousness (or sin) also for its indication, and it is always present in all sinful acts. This is the nature of Darkness and it appears also as confined with others.

Passion is said to have activity for its essence. It is the cause of successive acts. When it prevails, its indication, among all beings, is production.

Splendour, lightness and faith – these are the form that is light, of Goodness among all creatures, as regarded by all good men.

Tamas (Darkness)
Complete delusion, ignorance, illiberality, indecision in respect of action, sleep, haughtiness, fear, cupidity, grief, censure of good acts, loss of memory, unripeness of judgment, absence of faith, violation of all rules of conduct, want of discrimination, blindness, vileness of behaviour, boastful assertions of performance when there has been no performance, presumption of knowledge in ignorance, unfriendliness (or hostility), evilness of disposition, absence of faith, stupid reasoning, crookedness, incapacity for association, sinful action, senselessness, stolidity, lassitude, absence of self-control, degradation, - all these qualities are known as belonging to Darkness (Tamas).

Rajas (Passion)
Brahma said: I shall now declare to you accurately what the quality of Passion (Rajas) is.
Injuring others, beauty, toil, pleasure and pain, cold and heat, lordship (or power), war, peace, arguments, dissatisfaction, endurance, might, valour, pride, wrath, exertion, quarrel, jealousy, desire, malice, battle, the sense of meum or mineness, protection of others, slaughter, bonds, and affliction, buying and selling, lopping off, cutting, piercing and cutting off the coat of mail that another has worn, fierceness, cruelty, vilifying, pointing out the faults of others, thoughts entirely devoted to worldly affairs, anxiety, animosity, reviling of others, false speech, false or vain gifts, hesitancy or doubts, boastfulness of speech, praise and criticisms, laudation, prowess, defiance, attendance (as on the weak and the sick), obedience (to the commands of preceptors and parents), service or ministrations, harbouring of thirst or desire, cleverness or dexterity of conduct, policy heedlessness, contumely, possessions, and diverse decorations that prevail in the world among men, women, animals, inanimate things, houses, grief, incredulousness, vows and regulations, actions with expectation (of good result), diverse acts of public charity, the rites in respect of Swaha salutations, rites of Swadha and Vashat, officiating at the sacrifices of others, imparting of instruction, performance of sacrifices, study, making of gifts, acceptance of gifts, rites of expiation, auspicious acts, the wish to have this and that, affection generated by the merits of the object for which or whom it is felt, treachery, deception, disrespect and respect, theft, killing, desire of concealment, vexation, wakefulness, ostentation, haughtiness, attachment, devotion, contentment, exultation, gambling, indulgence in scandal, all relations arising out of women, attachment to dancing, instrumental music and songs – all these qualities have been said to belong to the quality of Passion (Rajas).

Sattwa (Goodness)
Brahma (the Grandsire Prajapati) said: Sattwa is beneficial to all creatures in the world, and unblamable, and constitutes the conduct of those that are good.
Joy, satisfaction, nobility, enlightenment, and happiness, absence of stinginess, absence of fear, contentment, disposition for faith, forgiveness, courage, abstention from injuring any creature, equability, truth, straightforwardness, absence of wrath, absence of malice, purity, cleverness, prowess- these appertain to the quality of Goodness (Sattwa).

He who is devoted to the duty of Yoga, regarding knowledge to be vain, conduct to be vain, service to be vain, and mode of life to be vain, attains to what is highest in the world hereafter. Freedom from the idea of meum (mineness), freedom from egoism, freedom from expectations, looking upon all with an equal eye, and freedom from desire, - these constitute the eternal religion of the good.