[Advaita-l] Why holy mantras are chanted 108 times and notanyother number of times?

[D.V.N. Sarma]

The simplest explanation is 1+0+8=9, the start of a new counting cycle
in the decimal system. The sanskrit name for 9, "nava" means new. It
signifies rejuvenation.

Mahabharata is with its multiple use of 18 (1+8=9) indicates the
obsession of ancients for this number.

regards,
Sarma.