Significance of numbers in Hinduism
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Various numbers play a significant role in Hindu texts or practice. Some such numbers were used as mnemonics to help remember concepts, while other numbers were considered to have intrinsic significance or allusive meaning.
0
[edit]Zero or Shunya - According to mythology in Hinduism, the number Zero represents Nirguna Brahman. Nirguna Brahman refers to the concept that Brahman is beyond time and space. Brahman has no particular form and is present within all living beings and everywhere.
1
[edit]1 represents Surya or Sun or Son. (Mascualine God)
- Shunya (zero) is representative of Nirguna Brahman, One or eka symbolises the reputed father of creation that is Saguna Brahman.
Another way that Brahman is perceived is as Saguna Brahman. This means that Brahman has a form, identity and purpose, which may vary over time. Hindus who believe in Saguna Brahman see deities as a way for people to understand Brahman’s vast nature.
2
[edit]2 represents Chandra or Moon, (Feminine God), Dvaita Vedanta
Moon is a representation of duality and what we experience with our senses and our minds. Another duality is God and Nature - Purusha and Prakriti
Because it forms the basis of a duality, it has religious and spiritual significance in many cultures.
3
[edit]3 represents Brihaspati (Jupiter) or Guru
- Three significant Tridev are (Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar).
- Three goddesses are Saraswati, Lakshmi, Parvathi
- Three goddesses of knowledge are Gayathri, Savithri, Saraswati
- Three qualities of Guṇa mind are Sattva, Rajas, Tamas.
4
[edit]4 represents Rahu.
- There are four Vedas: the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, the Samaveda and the Atharvaveda.
- The most sacred Swastika symbol has four corners.
- The aim of life (purusharthas) is four: Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (desire), and Moksha (salvation).
- Four stages (ashram) in life – Brahmacharya (student life), Gṛhastha (householder), Vānaprastha (retirement), and Sannyasa (renunciation).
- Four varnas as told by Krishna – Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra.
- Four directions – North, East, West and South.
- Four Seasons – spring, summer, autumn and winter.
- Four basic functions in mathematics – addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
5
[edit]5 represents Budha or Mercury.
- Five basic tastes - Sweet, Sour, bitter, salty and Savouriness
- Five breaths of life are prana, apana, vyana, udhana and samana.
- Five Great sins (Panchamahapataka) as per scriptures are
- Brahma hatya (killing of brahman),
- Shishu Hatya (killing of an infant),
- Sura Pana (drinking alcohol),
- Swarna steya (stealing of Gold) and
- Guru Talpa Gamana (having sex with Guru’s wife).
- Five major disasters – war, epidemics, famine, pollution and poverty.
- Five Yamas: (code of conduct as per Patanjali)
- Ahimsa (non violence),
- Brahmacharya (abstain from sexual intercourse),
- Asteya (non – stealing),
- Satya (truth in words and thoughts) and
- Aparagraha (absence of avarice).
6
[edit]6 represents Shukra or Venus. The number six is a symbolic representation of human mind, as it is the sixth sense organ.
- Mind has six faculties: Reason, Emotion, Thought, Awareness, Knowledge and Intelligence.
- Six enemies or impurities of mind are Lust, Anger, Greed, Pride, Delusion and Envy.
- Six virtues to lead a successful and happy life: Generosity, Self-discipline, Patience, Effort, Concentration and Compassion.
7
[edit]7 represents Ketu. 7 or Shaptam is a very special number in Hinduism.
Our very existence and disposition is governed by seven chakras:
- Muladhara (root chakra),
- Svadhistana (sacral chakra),
- Manipura (solar plexus chakra),
- Anahata (heart chakra),
- Vishuddha (throat chakra),
- Ajna (third eye chakra) and
- Sahasrara (crown chakra).
8
[edit]8 represents Shani (Saturn).
- Eight forms of goddess Lakshmi : Adi Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Santana Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, Vidya Lakshmi & Dhana Lakshmi.
- Eight Rudras : Bhava, Sarva, Ishana, Pashupati, Bhima, Ugra, Mahadeva & Rudra.
- Ashtanaga yoga : Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dhāraṇā, Dhyana & Samadhi.
- Eight siddhis : Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Iṣiṭva, Vasitva.
- Eight Adityas : mitra, varuna, aryaman, amia, bhaga, dhatar, Indra & Vivsvant.
9
[edit]9 represents Mangala / Mars or Navagraha.
- Nine emotions: Love, humor, sadness, anger, courage, fear, horror , wonder & Peace.
- Nine form of devotion : Sravanam, Kirtanam, Mananam, Padsevana, Archanam, Mantram, Seva, Maitri & saranam.
- Nine planets: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu & Ketu.
Nine is a number that appears often in Indian culture and mythology.[1] For example, there are nine influencers attested to in Indian astrology.
In the Vaisheshika branch of Hindu philosophy, there are nine universal substances or elements: Earth, Water, Air, Fire, Ether, Time, Space, Soul, and Mind.[2] And Navaratri is a nine-day festival dedicated to the nine forms of Durga.[3][4]
10
[edit]Ten is Dasan. Ten is the first double-digit number formed by the union of One and Zero. The Zero or Shunya stands for nirguna Brahman. The one stands for both Saguna Brahman and the individual Atman. In the number 10, thus, we find a very important symbolic significance.
11
[edit]Number 11 represents Devi.
- The number 11 is considered a significant number in Hinduism for spiritual growth and enlightenment and it is considered important in Devi temples.
- The Devi Abhishekam is a set of 11 offerings made to Linga Bhairavi (Devi).
Number 11 is often associated with the concept of "Dharma" (duty or righteousness), signifying a connection to one's higher purpose and spiritual awareness, and is sometimes seen as a sign to reflect on whether you are following your rightful path in life.
In numerology, the number 11 represents higher ideals, invention, refinement, congruency, balance, fulfillment and vision. The 11 carries a vibrational frequency of balance. It represents male and female equality. It contains both sun energy and moon energy simultaneously yet holding them both in perspective separateness and perfect balance. Consequently, constant reoccurrence of number 11 in our lives often signal us to beware of our balance.
12
[edit]Number 12 represents lord Shiva
- 12 hours in a day and night: The day and night are each divided into 12 hours.
- 12 months in a year: A year is divided into 12 months, each of which is 30 days long.
- 12 signs of the zodiac: The zodiac has 12 signs.
- The Maha Kumbh festival is held every 12 years
- 12 Adityas - The Adityas are a group of 12 personified deities that appear in the Rig Veda.
48
[edit]48 represets one mandala. In the Indian yogic system, it has been adviced that any form of practice (yoga, exercise, prayer etc.,) be done for one Mandala i.e 48 days.
108
[edit]The distance from the Sun to Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Sun. The distance from the Earth to Moon is 108 times the diameter of the moon. Lastly, there are 12 astrological houses and 9 planets. 12 multiplied by 9 equals 108.
The Sudarshana Chakra is a spinning, discus weapon with 108 serrated edges, generally portrayed on the right rear hand of the four hands of Vishnu.
The total number of Upanishads is 108 as per Muktikā canon.
See also
[edit]- Numerology
- Significance of numbers in Judaism
- List of numbers in Hindu scriptures
- Biblical numerology
- Sacred geometry
References
[edit]- https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zrf6pbk/revision/2
- https://venupayyanur.com/symbolism-in-numbers-part-1/
- https://www.swahainternational.org/the-significance-of-numbers-in-hinduism/
- https://powsym.com/blogs/news/6-sacred-numbers-in-hinduism?srsltid=AfmBOor9kQaotoS-WXgEiGvz9-XXNomgonUwwWQTg0s0EDj5rMuocq_2
- https://www.hinduamerican.org/blog/heres-how-the-number-108-binds-us-to-the-universe/
- https://www.anaadi.org/post/practicing-for-a-mandala-48-days#:~:text=In%20the%20Indian%20yogic%20system,to%20mature%20within%20our%20system.
- ^ DHAMIJA, ANSHUL (May 16, 2018). "The Auspiciousness Of Number 9". Forbes India. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
- ^ "Vaisheshika | Atomism, Realism, Dualism | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
- ^ "Navratri | Description, Importance, Goddess, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2024-04-11. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
- ^ Lochtefeld, James G. (2002). The illustrated encyclopedia of Hinduism. New York: the Rosen publ. group. ISBN 978-0-8239-2287-1.
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