Dear List, 

51

According to tradition there are 51 Śakti-pithas; 51 sanctuaries devoted to (propagating the cult of) a particular member of the Devi's body.

Is there somewhere in the Hindu tradition a mention of the idea of human body numbering 51 elements? 

Why 51? And not, for example - 60?

Thanking you in advance, 

Artur Karp (ret.)
Chair of South Asian Studies
University of Warsaw
Poland