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June Indian Spiritual
June Indian Spiritual
SPIRITUAL
SIGNIFICANCE OF NUMBER
IN HINDUISM
108 has a very important role in Hinduism. One can see that many aspects of Hinduism are
related to the number 108. 108 is considered to be a spiritually powerful and auspicious.
108 is an abundant number and a semiperfect number. It is a tetranacci number.
Mukhya Shivaganas are 108 in number and hence Shaiva sects, particularly Lingayats, use 108 Rudraksha
beaded lace for japa. They recite supreme lord Shivas 108 names daily during their morning Shivapuja.
In Gaudiya Vaishnavism, there are 108 gopis of Vrindavan. Recital of these names, often accompanied by
the counting of a 108-beaded mala and is considered sacred and often done during religious ceremonies.
Srivaishnavism has 108 Divya Kshetras of Lord Vishnu, called as 108 DivyaDesam.
The well known bas-relief carving at the famous Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia relates the Hindu story of a
serpent being pulled back and forth by 108 gods and asuras (demons), 54 gods pulling one way, and 54 asuras
pulling the other, to churn the ocean of milk in order to produce the elixir of immortality.
According to the Oriental Architecture site there are 5 monumental guardian gates to the fortified temple
city of Angkor Thom. In front of each gate stand giant statues of 54 gods (to the left of the causeway) and 54
demons (to the right of the causeway), totaling 108, which represent the churning of the ocean.
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Indian
SPIRITUAL
Shloka
sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
IGNORE
OTHER
RELIGIONS,
SURRENDER
UNTO ME, I
WILL TAKE
CARE
I am the Supreme Lord.
Others depend on me for
survival. Hence surrender
unto me
Meaning of Shloka
Explanation
Supreme Lord Krishna reveals the conclusion to
the essence of all knowledge. Relinquishing all
conceptions of religiosity by indomitable faith can
lead to complete salvation and redemption will come
naturally through bhakti or exclusive loving devotion
unto the Supreme Lord Krishna as authorised in the
Vedic scriptures. By this determined conviction, that
nothing else is required or necessary other than
totally surrendering to Him and the Supreme Lord
Himself personally promises moksa or liberation to
such devotees.
Sarva-dharma parityagya means renouncing
all conceptions of what one thinks or imagines
religiosity to be. This does not mean to renounce
the righteousness for righteousness. All jivas
or embodied beings are always attuned and in
harmony with the Supreme Lord. Ultimate goal
of all religious and spiritual conceptions is to be
communion with the Supreme Lord Krishna. One
must have realisation of their atma or immortal soul
within the ethenic heart. After surrendering and
taking exclusive refuge in Him alone, one is blessed
by the Supreme Lord and by His grace, He, Himself
will accomplish this for His devotee.
Knowing the absolute paramount position of the
Supreme Lord Krishna as the creator, maintainer,
protector and sustainer of all creation, one who is
spiritually intelligent have to incessantly attune
themselves in adoring Him with bhakti or exclusive
loving devotion.
Lord Sri Krishna has described various kinds of
knowledge, processes of religion, knowledge of the
Supreme Brahman, knowledge of the Supersoul,
knowledge of the different types of orders and
statuses of social life, knowledge of the renounced
order of life, knowledge of non-attachment, sense
and mind control, meditation, etc through different
chapters. There is no need of strenuous effort to
free oneself from sinful reactions, instead one
should unhesitatingly accept Krsna as the supreme
savior of all living entities. With faith and love, one
should surrender unto Him. And then, one should
be confident that in all circumstances Krsna will
protect him from all difficulties.
Simply by surrendering unto Krsna, one can make
all progress at once and be freed from all sinful
reaction. This is what Lord Sri Krishna says - aham
tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah - I
shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.
sucah worry
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