Use of letters and words to represent digits and numbers in Sanskrit technical texts – 2

In the previous article, we saw how digits and numbers were represented using letters and words in technical texts in Sanskrit.

In continuation, in this article, let us see another way to represent digits and numbers in Sanskrit technical texts -

2. Representing numbers through well-known words -

Traditionally, there are thousands and thousands of stories, folklores and symbolism in the Sanskrit literature. There are many known and popular facts which could be used for representing numbers. For example, if the number 1 is to be represented, then the word moon (?????) or earth (??????) or their synonyms could be used because we know there is a single earth and a single moon (of earth).

For another example, let us say we want to write numerical digit 5, then elements (??????) which are said to be five or Mahabhuta which are also five will be used in verse. If number 11 is to be written, then Rudra (?????) or Ish (??) could be used, because the eleven (11) Rudras are famous. To write 3, the use of Guna (Sat, Raja, Tama) or Agni (The fire god is said to be of three types or three-faced) or the use of Rama (Parshuram, Dasharatha putra Ram and Balarama) was used.

If a reader is from the same culture and society, then he can easily understand the general words and their actual technical meaning representing digits and numbers. This prevents texts being understood by a outlander and on the other hand easily could be understood by the person having the same cultural legacy and heritage.

Now let us see an example how it is used –

In the Muhurta Chintamani, there is a verse stating the number of stars in each constellations (Nakshatra chapter, verse-58).

????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????? |

???????????????????????????????S????? ??????????? ??????? ||

tritrya?gapa?cāgnikuvedavahnaya? ?are?unetrā?vi?arendubhūkr?tā? |

vedāgnirudrā?viyamāgnivahnayoSbdhaya? ?ata?dviradā? bhatārakā? ||

You see, there are just words in the verse, someone might take these as normal words but only numbers are written in it.

Words used – ???? tri = 3, ????? trya = 3, ???? a?ga (Limbs) = 6 (limbs of the Vedapurush), ???? pa?ca = 5, ????? āgni (Fire) = 3, ?? ku = 1 (Synonym of earth), ??? veda = 4 (4 number of Vedas namely Rigved, Yajurved, Samved, Atharvaved), ?????? vahnaya? (Fire) = 3 (Synonym of fire/ Agni), ?? ?ar (Arrow) = 5 (Kamdeva is famous for his 5 arrows), ????? netra (Eyes)= 2, ????? ā?vi = 2 (Brahma’s twins), ?? ?ar (Arrow) = 5, ?????? indu (Moon) = 1, ?? bhū (Earth) = 1, ????? kr?tā? = 4 (4 Yugas namely Satyug, Treta, Dwapar, Kaliyug), ??? veda = 4, ????? āgni (Fire) = 3, ????? rudrā = 11, ?????? ā?vi = 2, ?? yama (Twins) = 2, ????? āgni (Fire) = 3, ????? vahni (Fire) = 3, ?????? abdhaya? = 4 (synonym for Yugas), ??? ?ata? = 100 (The number 100) + ???? dvi = 2 (The digit 2), ???? dvi = 2 (The digit 2), ???? radā? (Teeth) = 32, ??????? bhatārakā? (number of stars in constellations)

If the stars in the constellations are counted beginning from the Ashwini constellation (having β?and?γ?Arietis), then there are these many stars in each constellation.

So let us know the well-known words which are used for representing digits or numbers in the table below.

It is really difficult, if not impossible, to tell the stories behind all these uses of words representing numbers, which actually comes to us by tradition passed on by several generations. In my own library (built by my forefathers) there is an 80-90 years old book, in which numbers and related words are given.

Now let's take another example of a mathematical formula expressed in words -

The formula for the calculation of House Plot size determination in Muhurta Chintamani (Vastu Chapter, Verse 3) is in this verse -

?????????????????? ??????????

????????????? ???????????? |

?????? ????????? ???? ???????

??????????? ??????? ?? ?????? ||

ekonite??ark?ahatā dvitithyo

ruponite??āya hatendunāgai? |

yuktā ghanai?cāpi yutā vibhaktā

bhūpā?vibhi? ?e?amito hi pi??a? ||

Meaning:

?????????????????? ekonite??ark?ahatā = subtracting one from the number of Ishta Nakshatras

?????????? dvitithyo = 152 (???? dvi = 2, ?????? tithyo = 15 (Days in a fortnight) then using left to right flow of the numbers making it 15 and 2 = 152

????????????? = subtracting one from the Ishta Aay

???????????? hatendunāgai? = Multiplied by indu (1), nagaih (8) then then using left to right flow of the numbers making it 8 and 1 = 81

?????? yuktā = adding

????????? ???? ghanai?cāpi yutā = 17

??????? vibhaktā = divide

??????????? bhūpā?vibhi? = ??? bhūp (16), ????? ā?vi (2) then then then using left to right flow of the numbers making it 2 and 16 = 216

??????? ?? ?????? ?e?amito hi pi??a? = The remainder is the (area of) body/ plot.

So the formula became -

Pind Mana = [{(Ishta Nakshatra Number - 1) X 152} +{(Ishta Aay-1) X 81} + 17] / 216

Similarly, mathematical formulas or numbers are described in word form in many Sanskrit texts having mathematical or Astronomical significance.

Now tell me, did you imagine about any verse which could be a mathematical formula and can be written like the above poetic verses? That too in a specific prosody meter. Now if you meet someone who knows astrology / ancient sciences, and is aware of the things we learnt in this article, would you consider him a total fool?

Representing seven colors of the sunlight by the seven horses of the sun, is it not an imagination which could be used to memorize and keep through generations with an imaginative story. Should we call them foolish ?

That's all for today :)