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List of numbers in Hindu scriptures

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Hindu scriptures contain many numerical descriptions concerning distances,

durations and numbers of items in the universe as seen from the perspective of
Hindu cosmology.[1]

Contents
1
2
3
4

List
See also
References
External links

List

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Property

Number or
measurement

Distance from Satyaloka to Vishnuloka

(Brahmaloka-sanatana, abode of Brahman) [This is
actually the distance to planet of Lord Vishnu
within this material universe, brahmanda. However, 26,200,000 yojanas
original Vaikuntha-loka planets - with brahmajyoti
(209,600,000 miles)[2][3]
or vaikuntha rays are beyond the eight coverings of
universe. Hence, can not be measured by scientic
logics]
Distance from Dhruvaloka (the pole star) to the Sun 3,800,000 yojanas
Distance from Dhruvaloka to Maharloka

10,000,000 yojanas

Distance from Maharloka to Janaloka

20,000,000 yojanas

Distance from Janaloka to Tapoloka

80,000,000 yojanas

Distance from Tapoloka to Satyaloka

120,000,000 yojanas

Distance from the Sun to Satyaloka

233,800,000 yojanas
(1,870,400,000 miles)

Covering of the Universe

260,000,000 yojanas
(2,080,000,000 miles) away
from the Sun{, each
covering layer is 10 times
bigger than previous [4]

Distance from the Sun to the Earth

lower planetary systems

called Atala, Vitala, Sutala,
Taltala, Mahtala,
Rastala and Ptla

Distance from lower planets to esha Nga lying on

30,000 yojanas
the Garbhodaka Ocean

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Depth of Garbhodaka ocean

249,800,000 yojanas deep

Total diameter of the Universe

approximately 500,000,000
yojanas, or 4,000,000,000
miles[5]

Distance from planet Rhu to the Sun

10,000 yojanas (80,000

miles)

Distance from Rhu to planets of the Siddhas,

Cranas and Vidydharas

1,000,000 yojanas

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Property

Number or
measurement

Distance from the Earth to the lower planetary

systems Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Taltala, Mahtala, 70,000 yojanas
Rastala and Ptla
Number of kinds of material bodies for soul,
jivaatma (or species of life) in material world

8,400,000[6][7][8]

* Number of species living in the water

900,000

* Number of kinds of sthvara (non-moving living

entities such as trees and plants)

2,000,000[9]

* Number of species of insects and reptiles

1,100,000[10]

* Number of species of birds

1,000,000[11]

* Number of varieties of quadrupeds

3,000,000[12]

* Number of human species

400,000[13][14][15]

Number of Manus who manifest in one kalpa (one

day of Brahm)

fourteen Manus[16]

Duration of one day of Brahm

1,000 yugas (4.32 billion

years)

Number of Manus who manifest during one month

of Brahm

420 Manus[17]

Number of Manus who manifest during one year of

Brahm

5,040 Manus[18]

Number of Manus who manifest during the lifetime

504,000 Manus[19]
of one Brahm

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Total duration of four yugas

(Satya+Treta+Dvapara+Kali)

4,320,000 years[20]

Number of the present Manu (Vaivasvata Manu)

7th Manu

Age of our (Vaivasvata) Manu

27 divya-yugas [27 x
4,320,000 solar years]

Number of planetary systems in this Brahmanda

(material universe)

14[21][22]

Duration of 100 years of Brahma (his lifetime

duration)

311,040,000,000,000
years[23]

Duration of one manvantara, the lifespan of one

Manu

seventy-one yugas
(=71*4,320,000 years)

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Number or
measurement

Property
Duration of Satya yuga

1,728,000 years[24]

Duration of Tret-yuga

1,296,000 years[25]

Duration of Dvpara-yuga

864,000 years[26]

Duration of Kali-yuga

432,000 years[27]

Duration of lifetime of human in Satya yuga

around 100,000 years.

Duration of lifetime of human in Tret-yuga

around 10,000 years

Duration of lifetime of human in Dvpara-yuga

around 1,000 years.[30]

Duration of lifetime of human in Kali-yuga

around 100 years which will

be reduced gradually to 20
years )

[28]

[29]

[31] [32] [33] [34]

Time passed after beginning of Kali-Yuga (Battle of

Kuruketra)

around 5,114 years

Steeds of Indra

1,100[35]

Spiritual benets of following Janmashtami Vows

(fasting etc.)

One ... becomes freed from

the sins of ten million
births.[36]

Happiness of liberation into impersonal Brahman

(brahmajyoti) compared with happiness of
devotional service to Bhagavan

bhakti is trillionfold better

than impersonalism [37]

Frequency with which Krishna descends to this

planet

every 8,640,000,000 years

(once in a day of Brahma)
[38]

Note: Where distances are given in yojana a rough equivalent is sometimes given
in miles calculated at 8 miles to the yojana. The actual length of the yojana varied
throughout its period of use between 4 and 9 miles.

See also
Yuga
Kalpa (aeon)
Manvantara
Brahma

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Hindu units of measurement

References
1. Compare Chaudhary, Govind
Vishnu (1997) [1968]. Vedic
Numerology-A Treatise On Hindu
Astronomy (2 ed.). p. 365.
2. rmad Bhgavatam 5.23.9, "The
Vaikuntha planets begin
26,200,000 yojanas (209,600,000
miles) above Satyaloka."
3. rmad Bhgavatam 2.5.39,
"brahmaloka the spiritual
planets; santana eternal. ...
From the forefront of the chest
up to the neck of the universal
form of the Lord are situated the
Brahmanda - Hindu material universe. Each
planetary systems named
brahmanda appears after Mahavishnu's
Janaloka and Tapoloka, whereas
breathing out and when Garbhodakashayi
Satyaloka, the topmost planetary
Vishnu gives birth to Brahma on a Satyaloka's
system, is situated on the head of
lotus. Brahma, creator of our universe lives
the form. The spiritual planets,
311,040,000,000,000 human years, and during
however, are eternal. ...
his lifetimes, 504 000 Manus (Vedic Adams,
Sometimes Satyaloka, the planet
rst men are changing). Brahma creates 14
in which Brahm resides, is also
planetary systems which can be roughly
called Brahmaloka. But the
compared to Seven heavens and seven earthes
Brahmaloka mentioned here is
described in Abrahamic scriptures
not the same as the Satyaloka
planetary system. This
Brahmaloka is eternal, whereas
the Satyaloka planetary system is not eternal. And to distinguish between the two,
the adjective santana has been used in this case. According to rla Jva Gosvm,
this Brahmaloka is the loka or abode of Brahman, or the Supreme Lord. ... rla
rdhara Svm, therefore, rightly commenting on this verse /Bhagavad-gt (9.11)/,
says that the Brahmaloka mentioned here is Vaikuha, the kingdom of God, which is
santana, or eternal, and is therefore not exactly like the material creations described
above."
4. Mahaprabhura Siksa: The teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu by Bhaktivinode
Thakura - Chapter 11. Prayojana: the ultimate goal, "According to their karma, all
living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of them are being
elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going down into the lower
planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very
fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bona de spiritual master by the
grace of Krsna. By the mercy of both Krsna and the spiritual master, such a person
receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service. When a person receives the

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5.
6.

7.
8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

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seed of devotional service he should take care of it by becoming a gardener and

sowing the seed in his heart. If he waters the seed gradually by the process of
sravana and kirtana the seed will begin to sprout. As one waters the bhakti lata bija,
the seed sprouts, and the creeper gradually increases until it penetrates the walls of
this universe and goes beyond the Viraja river between the spiritual world and the
material world. It attains brahma-loka, the Brahman eulgence. Penetrating through
that stratum, it reaches the spiritual sky and the spiritual planet Goloka Vrndavana ."
Richard L. Thompson, Vedic cosmography and astronomy
rmad Bhgavatam 2.3.2-7, "ukadeva Gosvm said that out of the 8,400,000
species of living entities, the human form of life is rare and valuable, and out of those
rare human beings those who are conscious of the material problems are rarer still,
and the still more rare persons are those who are conscious of the value of the
rmad-Bhgavatam, which contains the messages of the Lord and His pure
devotees."
Sri Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 19.138, "In this universe there are limitless living
entities in 8,400,000 species, and all are wandering within this universe."
Bhagavad-gita 7.3, "manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati siddhaye yatatam api
siddhanam kascin mam vetti tattvatah Out of many thousands among men, one may
endeavor for perfection, and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one
knows Me in truth."
Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 19.138, "There are 900,000 species living in the
water. There are also 2,000,000 nonmoving living entities (sthavara), such as trees
and plants. There are also 1,100,000 species of insects and reptiles, and there are
1,000,000 species of birds. As far as quadrupeds are concerned, there are 3,000,000
varieties, and there are 400,000 human species."
Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 19.138, "There are 900,000 species living in the
water. There are also 2,000,000 nonmoving living entities (sthavara), such as trees
and plants. There are also 1,100,000 species of insects and reptiles, and there are
1,000,000 species of birds. As far as quadrupeds are concerned, there are 3,000,000
varieties, and there are 400,000 human species."
Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 19.138, "There are 900,000 species living in the
water. There are also 2,000,000 nonmoving living entities (sthavara), such as trees
and plants. There are also 1,100,000 species of insects and reptiles, and there are
1,000,000 species of birds. As far as quadrupeds are concerned, there are 3,000,000
varieties, and there are 400,000 human species."
Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 19.138, "There are 900,000 species living in the
water. There are also 2,000,000 nonmoving living entities (sthavara), such as trees
and plants. There are also 1,100,000 species of insects and reptiles, and there are
1,000,000 species of birds. As far as quadrupeds are concerned, there are 3,000,000
varieties, and there are 400,000 human species."
Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 19.138, "There are 900,000 species living in the
water. There are also 2,000,000 nonmoving living entities (sthavara), such as trees
and plants. There are also 1,100,000 species of insects and reptiles, and there are
1,000,000 species of birds. As far as quadrupeds are concerned, there are 3,000,000
varieties, and there are 400,000 human species."
In Search of the Ultimate Goal of Life by Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada ,
"brahmananam sahasrebhyah satra-yaji visisyate satra-yaji-sahasrebhyah sarva

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15.

16.
17.
18.
19.

20.
21.

22.

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vedanta-paragah sarva-vedanta-vit-kotya visnu-bhakto visisyate vaisnavanam

sahasrebhya ekanty eko visisyate "Out of many, many thousands of brahmanas, one
who is expert in the performance of sacrices is considered the best. Out of many
thousands of such experts in the performance of sacrices, one who has surpassed all
the knowledge in the Vedas is considered the best. Out of all those persons who have
excelled in the studies of the Vedas, a person who is a devotee of Visnu, the
Personality of Godhead, is considered the best. And out of many, many thousands of
such worshipers of Visnu, one who is a pure Vaisnava or an exclusive devotee of Sri
Krsna is the best because only he will attain the highest abode called Param-dhama,
which is described in the Bhagavad-gita by Sri Krsna Himself. (Garuda Purana) ...
muktanam api siddhanam narayana-parayanah sudurlabhah prasantatma kotisv api
mahamune "Out of millions of great sages who are liberated souls, it is very diicult
to nd a sober devotee of Lord Narayana." (Bhag. 6.14.5)"
Narada Bhakti Sutra 39, Purport, "Lord Caitanya graphically describes the rarity of
gaining the association of a pure devotee. The Lord tells Rupa Gosvami that there are
unlimited living entities among 8,400,000 species, and all these living entities are
wandering from body to body, planet to planet, within this universe. The few living
entities in human bodies may be divided into the uncultured and the cultured -- those
who are ignorant of the Vedic principles and those who know them. Among those who
know the Vedic principles, roughly half simply give lip service to these principles
while committing all kinds of sins in violation of these principles. Out of those who
actually follow the Vedic principles, most seek material rewards like wealth, good
birth, or elevation to heaven. Among millions of pious followers of the Vedic
injunctions, one may be actually wise (a jnani). Out of many millions of such jnanis,
Lord Caitanya says, one may actually become liberated from birth and death, and out
of many millions of such liberated persons, a devotee of the Lord is very diicult to
nd."
Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 8: The Avataras, "In one kalpa, or one day of
Brahma, fourteen Manus are manifest."
Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 8: The Avataras, "Thus if fourteen Manus appear
in one day of Brahma, there are 420 Manus during one month of Brahma"
Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 8: The Avataras, "during one year of Brahma
there are 5,040 Manus."
Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 8: The Avataras, "Since Brahma lives for one
hundred of his years, it is calculated that there are 504,000 Manus manifest during
the lifetime of one Brahma."
Srimad Bhagavatam 4.31.10, "The duration of one day of Brahma is one thousand
times greater than the four yugas, aggregating 4,320,000 years."
rmad Bhgavatam 3.26.52, "This universal egg, or the universe in the shape of an
egg, is called the manifestation of material energy. Its layers of water, air, re, sky,
ego and mahat-tattva increase in thickness one after another. Each layer is ten times
bigger than the previous one, and the nal outside layer is covered by pradhna.
Within this egg is the universal form of Lord Hari, of whose body the fourteen
planetary systems are parts."
Srimad Bhagavatam 2.1.26, "The universe is divided into fourteen planetary systems.
Seven planetary systems, called Bhur, Bhuvar, Svar, Mahar, Janas, Tapas and Satya,
are upward planetary systems, one above the other. There are also seven planetary

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23.

24.

25.
26.

27.
28.
29.
30.
31.

32.

33.

34.

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systems downward, known as Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala and
Patala, gradually, one below the other."
Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 8: The Avataras, "One day of Brahma is
calculated at 4 billion 320 million years, and Brahma lives for one hundred years on
this scale."
rmad Bhgavatam 3.11.19, "The duration of the Satya millennium equals 4,800
years of the years of the demigods... As aforementioned, one year of the demigods is
equal to 360 years of the human beings. The duration of the Satya-yuga is therefore
4,800 x 360, or 1,728,000 years."
rmad Bhgavatam 3.11.19, "The duration of the Tret-yuga is 3,600 x 360, or
1,296,000 years."
rmad Bhgavatam 3.11.19, "the duration of the Dvpara millennium equals 2,400
years /of the demigods/ ... The duration of the Dvpara-yuga is 2,400 x 360, or
864,000 years."
rmad Bhgavatam 3.11.19, "Kali millennium is 1,200 years of the demigods...
Kali-yuga, is 1,200 x 360, or 432,000 years."
rmad Bhgavatam 4.9.22, "In the Satya-yuga people generally lived for one hundred
thousand years."
Srimad Bhagavatam 4.9.62, "in the Treta-yuga people lived for ten thousand years"
Srimad Bhagavatam 4.9.62, "in Dvapara-yuga they /people/ lived for one thousand
years"
rmad Bhgavatam 7.15.72, "As far as kirtana is concerned, the sastras say,
sravanam kirtanam visnoh: [SB 7.5.23] one should chant the glories of the Supreme
Lord and the holy name of the Supreme Lord. This is clearly stated. Sravanam
kirtanam visnoh: one should chant about and glorify Lord Visnu, not any demigod.
Unfortunately, there are foolish persons who invent some process of kirtana on the
basis of a demigod's name. This is an oense. Kirtana means glorifying the Supreme
Lord, not any demigod. Sometimes people invent kl-krtana or iva-krtana, and
even big sannyss in the Myvda school say that one may chant any name and still
get the same result."
Nrada-pacartra, "The essence of all Vedic knowledge comprehending the three
kinds of Vedic activity [karma-ka, jna-ka and upsan-ka], the chandas,
or Vedic hymns, and the processes for satisfying the demigods is included in the
eight syllables Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna. This is the reality of all Vednta. The
chanting of the holy name is the only means to cross the ocean of nescience."
Kali-santarana Upanisad, "The sixteen words-Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna
Krishna, Hare Hare; Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare-are especially
meant for completely destroying all the contamination of Kali. To save oneself from
the contamination of Kali-yuga, there is no alternative in all the Vedas except the
chanting of this sixteen-word mantra."
rmad Bhgavatam 1.1.21, "This age of Kali is not at all suitable for self-realization
as was Satya-yuga, the golden age, or Tret- or Dvpara-yugas, the silver and copper
ages. For self-realization, the people in Satya-yuga, living a lifetime of a hundred
thousand years, were able to perform prolonged meditation. And in Tret-yuga, when
the duration of life was ten thousand years, self-realization was attained by
performance of great sacrice. And in the Dvpara-yuga, when the duration of life
was one thousand years, self-realization was attained by worship of the Lord. But in

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35.

36.

37.

38.

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the Kali-yuga, the maximum duration of life being one hundred years only and that
combined with various diiculties, the recommended process of self-realization is that
of hearing and chanting of the holy name, fame, and pastimes of the Lord."
Murthy, S. S. N. (August 2005). "Number Symbolism in the Vedas" (PDF). Electronic
Journal of Vedic Studies (EJVS) 12 (3): 8799. ISSN 1084-7561. Retrieved
2010-09-08. "Steeds of Indra [...] 1100"
Janmastami vow, "One who eats on Lord Krishnas birthday is lowest of mankind. ..
His pious credits of ten million births are at once destroyed. ... One who fasts, follows
the Janmastami vow, and keeps an all-night vigil on this day becomes freed from the
sins of ten million births. Of this there is no doubt."
Srila Rupa Gosvami says that if brahmananda, or the happiness of becoming one with
the Supreme, is multiplied by one trillionfold, it still cannot compare to an atomic
fraction of the happiness derived from the ocean of devotional service. [1]
(http://vedabase.net/nod/1/en2)
Bhagavad Gita As It Is - Preface, "If personally I have any credit in this matter, it is
only that I have tried to present Bhagavad-gita as it is, without adulteration. Before
my presentation of Bhagavad-gita As It Is, almost all the English editions of
Bhagavad-gita were introduced to fulll someone's personal ambition. But our
attempt, in presenting Bhagavad-gita As It Is, is to present the mission of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. Our business is to present the will of Krsna,
not that of any mundane speculator like the politician, philosopher or scientist, for
they have very little knowledge of Krsna, despite all their other knowledge. When
Krsna says, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru, etc., we, unlike
the so-called scholars, do not say that Krsna and His inner spirit are dierent. Krsna
is absolute, and there is no dierence between Krsna's name, Krsna's form, Krsna's
qualities, Krsna's pastimes, etc. This absolute position of Krsna is diicult to
understand for any person who is not a devotee of Krsna in the parampara (disciplic
succession). Generally the so-called scholars, politicians, philosophers, and svamis,
without perfect knowledge of Krsna, try to banish or kill Krsna when writing
commentary on Bhagavad-gita. Such unauthorized commentary upon Bhagavad-gita
is known as Mayavadi-bhasya, and Lord Caitanya has warned us about these
unauthorized men. Lord Caitanya clearly says that anyone who tries to understand
Bhagavad-gita from the Mayavadi point of view will commit a great blunder. The
result of such a blunder will be that the misguided student of Bhagavad-gita will
certainly be bewildered on the path of spiritual guidance and will not be able to go
back to home, back to Godhead. Our only purpose is to present this Bhagavad-gita As
It Is in order to guide the conditioned student to the same purpose for which Krsna
descends to this planet once in a day of Brahma, or every 8,640,000,000 years. This
purpose is stated in Bhagavad-gita, and we have to accept it as it is; otherwise there
is no point in trying to understand the Bhagavad-gita and its speaker, Lord Krsna.
Lord Krsna rst spoke Bhagavad-gita to the sun-god some hundreds of millions of
years ago. We have to accept this fact and thus understand the historical signicance
of Bhagavad-gita, without misinterpretation, on the authority of Krsna. To interpret
Bhagavad-gita without any reference to the will of Krsna is the greatest oense. In
order to save oneself from this oense, one has to understand the Lord as the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, as He was directly understood by Arjuna, Lord
Krsna's rst disciple. Such understanding of Bhagavad-gita is really protable and

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authorized for the welfare of human society in fullling the mission of life."

External links
For distances in yojanas see the yojana page (http://vedabase.net/y/yojana)
on vedabase.net.
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/w/index.php?title=List_of_numbers_in_Hindu_scriptures&oldid=687036702"
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