Compiled by Mrs. Rajalakshmi Padmanabhan (my mother)
Significance of 9 and its multiples in Hindu Religion
Quality of 9: According to Indian scriptures, letter 9 corresponds to Lord Brahma (the creator of universe). Mathematically, the interesting property of 9 is 9x1 = 9
9 x 2 = 18 (8+1 = 9)
9 * 3 = 27 (7+2 = 9)
9 * 12 = 108 (1+0+8 = 9)
According to Indian mythology, there are 4 Yugs
- Satyug - consists of 172,800 years (1+7+2+8 = 18 == (1+8 = 9)
- TretaYug consists of 1296000 years (1+2+9+6 = 18 = (1+8 = 9)
- DwaparYug consists of 864000 years (8+4+6) = 18 = (1+8 = 9)
- Kaliyug consists of 432000 years (4+3+2) = 9
No. 18 has lot of significance
In Maha Bharatha no 18 has an important place
- 18 Parvas in Mahabharata –(Parva means adhyaya or shloka count)
- 18 chapters in Geeta and 18 slogas in each chapter. ( Essence of Mahabharatham)
- 18 days of Mahabharatha War
- 18 Akshouhini ( Army in Mahabharatha War)
- The Number of Elephants in one Akshouhini= 21870=2+1+8+7+0=18
- The Number of Chariots in one akshouhini= 21870 = 18
- The number of Horses in one Akshouhini= 65610= 6+5+6+1+0= 18
- The number of Soldiers in one Akshouhini= 109350= 1+0+9+3+5+0= 18
- Duration of MahabharataYutham is 18days.
- Pandavas had 7 Akshahini (units) of warriors. Ghawravas had 11 Akshahini of warriors. Total 18 Akshahini of warriors
The VEDA VYASA called Mahabharata by another name ''JAYAM.''
According to Numerology,
JA is equal to 8
YA or YAM is equal to 1
So JAYAM represents 81.
But ''the mathematical principle (in sanskrit) says 'Ankaanam vaamato gati' that is when Numbers are expressed lyrically they must be read from right to Left. SO JAYAM MEANS 18. That's why SWAMI AYYAPPA is sitting the top of 18th padi.
Moksha-saadhana steps (sopaanams) :
- Anthah karanam 1
- Pancha praanams - 5 (prana,Udana, Apana, samana,vyana)
- Gnaneyndriyams -5 Senses of perception ( eyes, ears, mouth, skin, and nose.)
- Karmeyndriyams -5 (Action Organs – vocal chord, hands, feet, rectum & genitals)
- Deham ................ -1 (Body)
- Drudhyam...........- 1 (Heart)
Total= 1+5+5+5+1+1=18
As per Indian mythology, Indian culture has a very special significance of number 108. What is this number represent, and why is it so important?
- In one minute, we breathe in approximately 15 times, in 1 hour 900 times, and in 12 hours 10800 times, and in a day 10800 * 2 times. A day consists of 24 hours, and if we set aside half the day for our day to day routines, then one can spend 12 hours for recitation of one's idol. Therefore, the maximum number of times that one can recite “mantra”, or perform “Jap” is 10800. If one wants to obtain 100% benefit of its jap, then performing jap 108 times will give you the benefit of 100%. That's why in a "Mala", there are 108 beads. It is written in Vedas, that 1 Jap corresponds to 1 mala (which has 108 beads), therefore performing jap of 108 malas will result in 100% benefit.
- Astronomically, there are 27 constellations in our galaxy, and each one them has 4 directions, and 27 * 4 = 108, In other words the number 108 covers the whole galaxy.
- Indian Vedas treats the Sun as God, and Sun has 12 signs (Zodiac signs). In Yajurved, Sun is related with Lord Brahma (the number 9), remember - 12 * 9 = 108; therefore for Gods Prayer, the number 108 is very sacred.
