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Fascinating Number Nine 

24 Jun

There are 18 chapters (1 + 8 = 9) in the entire Mahabharata as well as in the Bhagavad Gita. The battle of Kurukshetra lasted 18 days. There are 18 Puranas and 108 Upanishads. What makes number 9 so fascinating ?

The universe begins with zero and ends with 9. After 9, the numbers just repeat themselves in two digits. So, 9 is seen as a complete number. This is evident. Any number multiplied with 9 and reduced to a single digit always becomes 9. (For example, 9 times 3 is 27. If you add 2+7, it will give you 9. Try this with any number).

In Pythagorean numerology the number 9 symbolises the end of one cycle and the beginning of another.

The number 108 (1+8 = 9; 12 times 9 is 108) is considered very holy in Hinduism and Buddhism. It is also regarded as sacred across a range of religions and cultures. 108 times is used in many spiritual chants in different religions to mark the completion of prayer.

The human body has 9 openings. These include two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, the mouth, and the openings for excretion and procreation. Even the shape of the womb is in the form of 9. Perhaps it is no surprise that it takes 9 months for a human being to give birth to a child.

In Vedic culture, the number 9 finds a place of spiritual significance. There are 9 planets in Vedic astrology that are said to govern an individual’s life based on his/her actions (karma). These 9 planets are: Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Saturn, Sun, Moon, Rahu (Northern lunar node), Ketu (Southern lunar node). 

There are 9 gems or Navaratnas associated with these planets. Pearl is for Moon. Ruby is for Sun. Blue Sapphire is for Saturn. Yellow Sapphire is for Jupiter. Red coral is for Mars. Emerald is for Mercury. Diamond is for Venus. Gomed or Hessonite is for Rahu. Cat’s eye or Chrysoberyl is for Ketu.

We celebrate 9 days of Navaratri to mark the victory of Goddess Shakti over evil. 

There are 9 emotions (bhavas or rasas) in Indian classical dance known as the ‘Navarasas’: Shringara (love and beauty), Hasya (laughter), Karuna (compassion), Raudra (anger), Veera (courage), Bhayanaka (fear), Bibhatsya (disgust), Adbutha (surprise), and Shantha (tranquility)

There are 9 forms of devotion to God or our Supreme Self (Paramatma). These include Shravan (hearing), Kirtan (praying), and Smaran (remembering). Others are Padasevan (resorting to feet), Archan (worship), and Namaskar (bowing). Additional forms are Dasya (service), Sakhyam (friendship), and Atma-Nivedana (surrender of the self).

The nine Muses in Greek mythology have distinct domains. Calliope is the Muse of epic poetry. Clio represents history, and Erato is for erotic poetry. Euterpe is known for lyric poetry. Melpomene is associated with tragedy. Polyhymnia is linked to song, while Terpsichore inspires dance. Thalia is the muse of comedy, and Urania governs astronomy.

El Castillo, the Mayan step-pyramid in Chichen Itza, consists of nine steps. It is said that this was done to represent the nine levels of Xibalba.

In Christianity the number 9 also represents the fruits of God’s Holy Spirit. These fruits are faithfulness, gentleness, goodness, joy, kindness, long suffering, love, peace and self-control (Galatians 5:22 – 23).

The famous Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala, Kerala has 18 steps as the last finale to the shrine ( 1 + 8 = 9)

  • Speed of light = 186282 miles/sec = 1 + 8 + 6 + 2 + 8 + 2 = 27 = 2 + 7 = 9
  • Diameter of the Sun = 864000 miles = 8 + 6 + 4 + 0 + 0 + 0= 18 = 1 + 8 = 9
  • Diameter of the Moon = 2160 miles = 2 + 1 + 6 + 0 = 9
  • Diameter of the Earth = 7920 miles = 7 + 9 + 2 + 0 = 18 = 1 + 8 = 9
  • Second in a hour = 3600 = 3 + 6 =9
  • Second in a day = 86400 = 8 + 6 + 4 =18 = 1 + 8 =9
  • Second in a month = 2592000 = 2 + 5 + 9 + 2 = 18 = 1 + 8 = 9
  • Second in a year = 31104000 = 3 + 1 + 1 + 0 + 4 = 9
  • Even the universe vibrates at a frequency of 432 Hz = 4 + 3 + 2 = 9.
  • There are 27 Nakshatras or stars 2 + 7 = 9

The importance of the number 108 can be seen repetitively in astronomy and astrology : 1 + 8 = 9

  • In Vedic astrology there are 12 solar houses and 9 lunar houses, 9 x 12 = 108
  • The diameter of the sun is about 108 times that of the diameter of Earth.
  • The average distance between the Earth and the Sun is 108 times the sun’s diameter.
  • The average distance from the Earth to the Moon is 238,800 miles, about 108 times the moons diameter. This makes the moon appear the same size as the sun during eclipses.

Nine is so popular that there are many Idioms also based on this number

  • “to go the whole nine yards-“
  • “A cat-o’-nine-tails suggests perfect punishment and atonement.” 
  • “A cat has nine lives”
  • “to be on cloud nine”
  • “A stitch in time saves nine”

In numerology Mars is the ruling deity of number 9. Attributes associated with this number include being warlike, egoistic, short tempered, and violent. The number is hard outside but soft inside. It is also dominating, aggressive, strong, and rough. Additionally, it is associated with fighting, alienating, and strong leadership.

Its partner Number 8 is equally fascinating.

Lord Krishna’s birth is celebrated on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight. This period is known as (Krishna Paksha) in Shravana Masa. His consort Radha’s birth is celebrated in Barsana and the entire Braj region also on an Ashtami. Radha Ashtami comes fifteen days after Krishna Janmashtami.

Ashtami is the highest point of celebration during the Durga Puja Festival. It is believed that on this day Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura. 

The number eight is a Fibonacci number. The sixth number in the Fibonacci sequence is eight. It is the only number in this sequence, other than the number one, that is a perfect cube (2³).The amount of clouds in the sky is calculated in oktas, ranging from zero oktas to eight oktas. On a day with zero oktas, the sky is completely clear of clouds. A day with six oktas would be mostly cloudy.

Saturn is the reigning deity of number 8. 

Number 8 is the symbol of Infinity. It has perfect symmetry. It is both spiritual and materialistic. It is a number that comes blessed with positive energy, the power of transitions, and the possibility of infinite abundance.

Only 3 numbers – 0, 3 & 8 have lines of symmetry.

  • 0 has 2 lines of symmetry 1 horizontal and 1 vertical.
  • 3 has one horizontal line of symmetry if we draw the top and bottom both equal size.
  • 8 has two symmetry lines, vertical and horizontal.

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Overcoming the fear of Death

24 Jun

The Evolved Soul

One of the most important teaching from the Gita is to overcome the fear of death. While death is inevitable, rare is the person who is ready to go. Insecurity and Fear are the two diseases for which there is no medical cure. 

In Chapter 2, the Lord starts his teachings. He tries to explain that the soul is immortal. 

Death from a worldly point of view – Death is natural to all beings. There is no use in sorrowing for this unavoidable occurrence. Life comes from the Unknown. It remains for a short time in the field of the known. Then it goes back to the Unknown again. 

We all know that it is impossible to take your wealth, youth, relationships with you. All we can carry is our Positive Karma. Those who have lived a dharmic life and accumulated good karma will definitely get upgraded in their next life. They have done their duty without attachment to the results. This reality has to sink in. Imbibing the teachings of the Gita helps us to overcome our limitations. 

Why we fear Death? 

  • Fear of the unknown 
  • Fear of the punishments we get for our wrong deeds 
  • Fear of losing near and dear ones – How will they manage without me?
  • Unfinished business – pending list of desires

Death comes suddenly, it doesn’t inform you. However well organised you are, it will take you by surprise. One can only focus on the causes that make us afraid of death. These are beautifully enumerated in the Gita. 

  • I am not the body 
  • I am a spark of the divine which is immortal 
  • The Sukshma Sharira carries with it to the next life a well-documented karmic balance 

An enlightened soul doesn’t worry about death. He has worked his whole life to understand “Who am I”. He is ready – the name of the Lord is always on his lips. 

Shlokas 15 – 18 from the Ishavasya Upanishad explain the above points well. These verses are chanted when a person is dying and during the funeral rites. 

Hiranmayeena patrena satyasyaapihitam mukham

Tattwam pushann apaavrinu satya dharmaya drishtaye

The Sun God is considered the best visible manifestation of the Absolute – the son of Prajapati. According to astrology, the Sun is conjoined with the Atman, and the Moon with the Mind. The period of the sun moving towards the north, the Uttarayan is considered auspicious. Many believe that even a sinner dying during this period attains to heavenly regions. 

O! Sun, we have to realise the Truth hidden in you. With our eyes, we cannot have the true vision of you. All we see is only a brilliant light. We are unable to see the Reality hidden within this great light. Remove this golden disc so that we can see the truth hidden behind. May I see it in all glory.  

pushann ekarshe yama surya prajapatya vyuha rashmin samuha tejah

yat te rupam kalyanatamam tatt te pashyami yo saav asau purushah so ham asmi

Gather your rays, let me behold you because the brilliance is too much for my physical eye. Then show me your true radiant form. 

Vayur anilam amritham athedam bhasmantam shariram

Aum krito smara kritam smara krito smara kritam smara 

Now comes the prayer to the mind. O mind, recollect all the karmas you have done in this life-time. Remember each one. Reflect on how you have lived this life. Only the fruits of your karmas will accompany you. Nothing else of this manifested world will follow you. May the life enter into immortal breath. The mind is reminded that his life, the soul is entering into the Immortal Breath. 

Bhasmantam shariram – The person is reminded again and again that his body is becoming ashes. You are not the body. But you are going to the other sphere mingling with the Vital Breath.

And then a message to the intelligence – Remember what we are telling you, Go with this understanding. Remember that your body is becoming ashes and you are free.

Go – Merge with the immortal breath. 

The End

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