1. Tyajyas – (things to be shunned) . A. Horse returning after bath, elephant in its rut, love-lorn bull and wicked scholar. B. Evil action, unhealthy region, evil wife and bad foods.
2. Danas (Gifts) – Gifts daily given without expecting return or result is Nityadana. Gifts given to scholars (pundits) for the sake of alleviation of or redemption from sin are Naimittikadana. Gifts given for welfare and prosperity is Kamyakadana. Offering made to propitiate God is Vimala.
3. Nayakas (Heroes)-  Dhirodatta, Dhiroddhata, Dhiralalita, Dhirasanta.
4. Naris( Women) – Padmini, Sankhini, Citrini, and Hastini.
5. Pramanas( Means of valid knowledge) – Pratyaksa, Anumana, Upamana, and Sabda.
6. Moksas (Salvation). Salokya, Samipya, Sarupya and Sayujya.
7. Yoga –  Jnanayoga, Bhaktiyoga, Karmayoga and Dhyanayoga.
8. Satrus (Enemies) –  Mother leading an immoral life; father who incurs debt; foolish son and beautiful wife.
9. Sastras-  Nitisastra, Tarkasastra, Manusmrti and Kamasastra.
10. Caturamla – Four sour substances – vetasa, vrikshamla, brihaj-jambira and nimbaka.
11. Caturushana – four hot spices – black and long pepper, dry ginger and the root of long pepper.
12. Caturbhadra – Extremely auspicious objects of human desire A. Dharma, Kama, Artha and bala. B. Kiti, ayus, yashas and bala. C. Dharma, jnana, aisvarya and vairagya.  D. dana, jnana, saurya and bhoga.
13. Caturyuga – There are four yugas, satya, dwapara, treat and kali.
14. Caturmedha – one who Has offered four sacrifices – ashva, purusha, sarva and pitri medha.
15. Caturdhama – the four places of pilgrimage in the four corners of India, viz. Badrinath in the North, Rameswaram in the South, Jagannatha Puri in East and Dwaraka in the West. Every Hindu must visit these four places in his lifetime.
16. Catus-sana – the four “manasaputras” of Brahma. Sanaka, Sanatkumara, Sanatsujata, and Sanandana.
17. Four Noble Truths – Dukkha – The Noble Truth of Suffering , Samudaya – The Noble Truth of the Cause of Suffering , Nirodha – The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering , Magga – The Noble Truth of the Path leading to the Cessation of Suffering
18. The Four Heavenly Kings – are said to currently live in the Cāturmahārājika heaven on the lower slopes of Mount Sumeru. They are the protectors of the world and fighters of evil, each able to command a legion of supernatural creatures to protect the Dharma. They are Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera) meaning he who hears everything,  Virūḍhaka, he who causes to grow, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, he who upholds the realm  and Virūpākṣa , he who sees all.
19. Four Foundations of Mindfulness in Buddhism – contemplation of the body, contemplation of feelings, contemplation of mind, contemplation of mental objects
20. The mammalian heart consists of four chambers.
21. There are four basic states of matter: solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.
22. Most furniture has four legs – tables, chairs, etc.
23. Most vehicles, including motor vehicles, and particularly cars/automobiles and light commercial vehicles have four road wheels.
24. In cricket, a four is scored when the ball crosses the boundary after touching the ground at least once. Taking four wickets in four consecutive balls is typically referred to as a double hat trick (two consecutive, overlapping hat tricks).
25. The phrase “four-letter word” is used to describe most swear words in the English language, as most swear words do indeed possess four letters.
26. Four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, winter.
27. Four cardinal virtues: justice, prudence, temperance, fortitude.
28. Four suits of playing cards: hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades.
29. Four estates: politics, administration, judiciary, journalism. Especially in the expression “Fourth Estate”, this means journalism.
30. Four is the only number that has the same amount of letters as its actual value.
31. Four dimensions of modern science: length, breadth, width, and time.
32. In Japan, the four brings misfortune. They avoid to pronounce it because the same word means “the death
33. Several prominent facts come to associate the number four to the cross of the Christ: the four segments of the cross; the four kinds of wood which were used for the construction of the cross of Christ : the palm tree, the olive-tree, the cedar and the cypress, the four letters I.N.R.I. engraved on the cross.
34. The Buddhism is based on the four truths taught by “Cakkya-Mouni”: “Kou”, the pain exists in the birth, the old age, the disease, the attachment, etc.; “Tou”, it is the sharing of all the creatures: its origin is the thirst of existence, pleasures, power; “Mou”, the man must be liberated by the annihilation of the desire; “Tau”, the means to arrive at this setting free is the practice of the “eight branches of the noble path”.
35. The quaternary of the motto of the alchemists: to know, to want, to dare, to hush.
36. Four steps to accountability – To see, to own, to solve and to do.
37. The Quran authorizes the polygamy, allowing a man to have as far as four women.
38. According to C.G. Jung, psyches of the man are governed by the following four psychological functions: the thought, the intuition, the feeling and the sentiment.
39. The four fundamental parts of the organic chemistry: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitroge
40. nThe cow’s stomach is divided in four digestive compartments: reticulum, rumen, omasum and abomasum
41. Four cardinal directions: north, south, east, west.
42. Four Temperaments: sanguine, choleric, melancholic, phlegmatic

 

 

 

 

 

49. Ashtanga Pranam – while prostrating in front of Guru or God, touching the ground with eight parts of our body. They are knees, belly, chest, hands, elbows, chin, nose, and temple. Not recommended for women.

50. Ashta Lakshmi – eight Lakshmi, are the secondary manifestations of Shri-Maha-Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, who preside over eight sources of wealth. They are

• Adi Lakshm : an ancient form of Lakshmi and incarnation of Lakshmi as daughter of the sage Bhrigu.
• Dhana Lakshmi: for money and gold
• Dhanya Lakshmi  “Lakshmi as goddess of grain”: Giver of agricultural wealth.
• Gaja Lakshm : Giver of animal wealth, like cattle and elephants
• Santana Lakshmi : Bestower of offspring
• Veera Lakshmi or Dhairya Lakshmi : Bestower of valour in battles and courage and strength for overcoming difficulties in life.
• Vijaya Lakshmi or Jaya Lakshmi: Giver of victory, not only in battles but also in conquering hurdles in order to beget success.
• Vidya Lakshmi: the bestower of knowledge of arts and sciences

51. Ashtanga hridayam – is an Ancient Ayurvedic text book written by Vaghbhata. There are eight branches of Ayurveda, hence the name Ashtanga Hridayam. They are

• Kaya Chikitsa – General medicine
• Bala Chikitsa – Paediatrics
• Graha Chikitsa – Psychiatry
• Urdhvanga Chikitsa – Diseases and treatment of Ear, Nose, Throat, Eyes and Head (neck and above region)
• Shalya Chikitsa – Surgery
• Damshrta Chikitsa – Toxicology
• Jara Chikitsa – Geriatrics
• Vrushya Chikitsa – Aphrodisiac therapy

52. Octagon – A polygon with eight sides is an octagon.

53. The atomic number of oxygen is eight.

54. All spiders, and more generally all arachnids, have eight legs.

55. The octopus and its cephalopod relatives in genus Argonauta have eight arms (tentacles).

56. Man – In human adult dentition there are eight teeth in each quadrant. The eighth tooth is the so-called wisdom tooth. There are eight cervical nerves on each side in man and most mammals.

57. The Noble Eightfold Path – is one of the principal teachings of the Buddha, who described it as the way leading to the cessation of suffering (dukkha) and the achievement of self-awakening. It is used to develop insight into the true nature of phenomena (or reality) and to eradicate greed, hatred, and delusion. They are 1. Right view 2. Right intention 3. Right speech  4. Right action  5. Right livelihood  6. Right effort  7. Right mindfulness  8. Right concentration

58. The Dharmacakra, a Buddhist symbol, has eight spokes.

59. In Mahayana Buddhism, the branches of the Eightfold Path are embodied by the Eight Great Bodhisattvas: (Manjusri, Vajrapani, Avalokiteśvara, Maitreya, Ksitigarbha, Nivaranavishkambhi, Akasagarbha, and Samantabhadra).

60. In the 2008 Games of the XXIX Olympiad, the official opening was on 08/08/08 at 8:08:08 p.m. local time in Beijing, China.

61. In computer language A byte is eight bits.

62. Eight is symbolic for lesbian sexual relations.

63. Eight babies delivered in one birth are called octuplets. The first set of eight surviving babies, the Chukwu octuplets, were born in 1998.

64. “88” is the abbreviated terminology used by the Aryan Brotherhood for the Nazi salute, “Heil Hitler” – “H” being the eighth letter of the alphabet, twice.

65. There are eight types of marriages described in ancient Hindu texts.  They are Rite of Brahmana (Brahma) – where the father of the bride invites a man learned in the Vedas and a good conduct, and gives his daughter in marriage to him after decking her with jewels and costly garments, Rite of the Gods (Daiva) – where the daughter is groomed with ornaments and given to a priest who duly officiates at a sacrifice during the course of its performance of this rite, Rite of the Rishis (Arsha) – when the father gives away his daughter after receiving a cow and a bull from the brightgroom, Rite of the Prajapati – (Prajapatya) where the father gives away his daughter after blessing the couple with the text “May both of you perform together your duties”, Rite of the Asura (Demons) – when the bridegroom receives a maiden after bestowing wealth to the kinsmen and to the bride according to his own will, Rite of the Gandharva – the voluntary union of a maiden and her lover, which arises from desire and sexual intercourse for its purpose, Rite of the Rakshasa – forcible abduction of a maiden from her home after her kinsmen have been slain or wounded and their houses broken open, Rite of the Pisaka – when a man by stealth seduces a girl who is sleeping or intoxicated or is mentally imbalanced or handicapped.

66. There are eight types of intelligence. They are Linguistic Intelligence :the gift of words, Linguistically intelligent people best understand the world through the spoken and written word, Visual/Spatial Intelligence :the gift of pictures, visually intelligent people best understand the world through visualization and spatial orientation, Musical :The gift of music, musically intelligent people best understand the world through rhythm and melody, Bodily Kinaesthetic Intelligence :the gift of body, physically intelligent people best understand the world through physicality, Logical/Mathematical :the gift of logic and number, mathematically and Logically intelligent people best understand the world through cause and effect, Interpersonal Intelligence :the gift of people, socially intelligent people best understand the world through the eyes of others, Intrapersonal :the gift of self, Intra-personally intelligent people best understand the world from their unique point of view, Naturalist Intelligence :the gift of nature, environmentally intelligent people best understand the world through their own environment.

67. There are eight types of waste as described by lean manufacturing. Waste can be viewed as the single hurdle that can limit a business over time, unless they are identified and systematically eliminated. They are Overproduction: Making more than is required by the next process, Waiting: Any idle time created when waiting, Transportation: Any movement of materials or people around a plant that does not add value to the product or service, Non-Value-Added processing: Any effort that adds no value to the product or service, Inventory: Any supply in excess of a one-piece flow through the manufacturing process, Under Utilizing People: The waste of not using people to the best of their unique abilities, Defects: Inspection and repair of materials in inventory, Motion: Any movement of people or machines that does not add value to the product or service.

68. The prayer of saint Francis of Assisi on the peace contains eight requests to the Lord: Lord, make me an instrument of peace.

 

1. Where is the hatred, let me put love.

2. Where is the offense, let me put forgiveness.

3. Where is the discord, let me put union.

4. Where is the error, let me put truth.

5. Where is the doubt, let me put faith.

6. Where is the despair, let me put hope.

7. Where are darkness, let me put light.

8. Where is the sadness, let me put the joy.

69. Fun Fact.

9 x 9 + 7 = 88

98 x 9 + 6 = 888

987 x 9 + 5 = 8888

9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888

98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888

987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888

9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888

98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

70.  The amount of clouds in the sky is measured in oktas (from 0 to 8).

71. Most umbrellas have eight sides.

72. It takes eight minutes for the sun’s light to reach the earth

73. Millennium Goals – There are eight Millennium Development Goals to be achieved by 2015. These goals were agreed on by 192 United Nations member states.

Goal 1 – Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.

Goal 2 – Achieve universal primary education.

Goal 3 – Promote gender equality and empower women.

Goal 4 – Reduce child mortality.

Goal 5 – Improve maternal health.

Goal 6 – Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.

Goal 7 – Ensure environmental sustainability.

Goal 8 – Develop a global partnership for development.

74.  Austria – Austria borders to eight different counties: Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungry, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

75. Krishna is considered to be the eighth avatar of Vishnu.  Krishna was the eighth son of princess Devaki, and her husband Vasudeva.  Krishna had eight primary wives.

76. Chinese life is ruled by eight: at eight months a child has milk teeth; at eight years he loses them; at twice eight he reaches maturity and at 64 (8 x 8) he loses the power of procreation.

77. Eight Principles of Acupuncture – Acupuncture theory holds that a human being is a microcosm. Within a human being are contained the same elements as those of the world: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. If these elements are working in harmony then the body is balanced and can repel disease. If there is lack of harmony, illness is the result. This is the first law of acupuncture and is known as The Law of the Five Elements.

1. Hot 2.Cold.  3.Wet  4. Dry 5. Excess. 6. Deficient.  7. Yin. 8. Yang

78. The Eight Elements of Music – Music has eight elements that composers and performers manipulate to create pieces that stir hearts and minds. The elements – rhythm, dynamics, melody, harmony, tone color, texture, form and text – form the “language of music” and influence our interpretations of what we hear.

79. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says: “Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Ether, Spirit, Intelligence and Ego are my 8 separated energies.”  

80. The eight favorable qualities of birth that are most conducive to success are:  Having a long lifespan, a handsome healthy body, in a reputable family, with wealth and friends, with credibility of speech, with influence, as a male, and with a powerful body and mind.

81. Ashta Vianayaka – As per puranas it is said that Lord Ganesh got manifested in several forms out of which, eight are considered to be most important referred to as His incarnations. These incarnations that have occurred in different cosmic ages are; Vakratunda; Ekadantha; Mahodara; Gajavaktra (Gajaanana); Lambodara; Vikata; Vighnaraja and Dhoomravarna.

82. Ashta Vasus – They are a class of Vedic deities; eight in number called Ashta Vasus; the elemental gods who are associated with Indra, the Lord of Heaven. They represent the basic aspects of nature; cosmic natural phenomenon viz; the earth, fire, water, wind, sky, sun; moon and stars. Names of Ashta Vasus are as follows; Dhara; Dhruva; Soma; Ahas; Anila; Anala; Pratyuusha; and Prabhasa;

83. Hindu Astrology – Ashtama Bhaava; 8th house in an astrological chart signifies a very important aspect viz; the longevity and death; apart from several other things like obstacles, accidents, disgrace, degradation, sudden aberrations, windfall, unearned wealth, chronic diseases etc. It is one of the Dusthanas (bad house) in a birth chart.

84. Ashtamukhi Rudraaksha – In the concept of Rudraaksha, Ashtamukhi (eight faced) is known to represent Lord Ganapathi (Vinayaka) and its ruling planet is Rahu.  It is believed to remove all obstacles and aberrations and bring success in all the endeavors.

85. Ashtadiggaja – Sri Krishna Devaraaya the great emperor of Vijayanagara dynasty had in his court eight great poets who were known as Ashtadiggajas. They were: Allasani Peddana; Nandi Thimmana; Maadayaagari Mallana; Dhoorjati; Pingali Soorana; Ramaraja Bhooshana; Ayyalaraju Raamabhadrudu; and Tenali Ramakrishna.

Eight – Every number has a certain power which is expressed both by its symbol to denote its representation and by its connection to universal principles. Numbers have relationships with all things in nature, thus making them supremely powerful symbolic expressions.

Eight represents eternity and infinity. In fact in mathematics the symbol for infinity is the number 8 laid down. Eight is considered a lucky number in Chinese culture because it sounds like the word meaning to generate wealth. So is in Hindu culture as Goddess Lakshmi has eight forms.

In Numerology the symbolism backing number Eight deals largely with business, success, and wealth. This is due to the fact that eight represents continuation, repetition, and cycles. Such elements are seen in arenas where success is obtained simply because of dogged determination and repetition. Also, matters of business and wealth largely depend on cycles to fulfill their manifestation. It’s like the snowball analogy: As it continues to roll, in gets bigger and bigger with each revolution. Eight represents that kind of momentum.

1. ASTABANDHA. A kind of plaster used for fixing idols in temples. The following eight things are mixed and ground consecutively for forty-one days and made ready to be put in the cavity around the idol when it is fixed there finally, (1) conch-powder (2) powdered myrobalam (3) resin (4) Kolipparal (a kind of rock) (5) river sand (6) powder of emblic myrobalam (7) lac and (8) cotton.
2. ASTABHARYA – The eight wives of Sri Krishna. (1) Rukmini (2) Jambavati (3) Satyabhama (4)kalindi (5) Mitravinda (6) Satya (7) Bhadra and (8) Laksana.
3. ASTABUDDHIGUNA – Eight qualities of the intellect. Susrusa, Sravana, Grahana, Dharana, Uha, Apoha, Arthavijnana, and Tattvajnana.
4. ASTACURNA – A mixture of eight powders. The eight things are : Cukku (dry ginger), Mulaku (chilli), Tippali (long pepper), Ayamodaka (celery seed), Jiraka (baraway seed) Karimjiraka (black caraway seed) Intuppu (sodium chloride) and Kayam (asafoetida).
5. ASTADHARMAMARGA – Eight ways of attaining  moksa  – Yaga, Vedabhyasa, Dana, Tapas, Satya, Ksama, Daya, lack of desire.
6. ASTADHATU – Eight minerals : gold, silver, copper, tin, zinc, black lead, iron and mercury.
7. ASTADIGGAJAS and ASTADIKKARlNlS – There are eight male and eight female elephants standing guard over the eight zones. They are :

Zone                           Male                                     Female

East                           Airavata                                 Abhramu

South-east                 Pundarika                               Kapila

South                          Vamana                              Pirigala

South-west                 Kumuda                              Anupama

West                             Anjana                          Tamrakarm

North-west                    Puspadanta                    Subhradanti

North                          Sarvabhauma                     Angana

North-east                   Supratika                       Anjanavati

Besides these, there are four dig-gajas (elephants of the universe) who bear the earth standing below in the nether world. It is stated that the sons of Sagara who went into the nether land in search of the lost horse of his father saw these elephants. As they went to the east they saw the huge elephant Virupaksa, holding the earth on its head. It is said an earthquake occurs when for a change it shakes its head. Going to the left of it they saw the elephant Mahapadmasama holding the earth on its head on the south. Going again to the left of it they saw Saumanasa holding the earth on its head on the west and going to the left of it on the north they saw Bhadra holding the earth on its head.

1. ASTADIK – (Eight zones) – East, South-east, South, South-west, West, North-west, North and North-east.
2. ASTADIKPALAKA – Situated in the eight different zones of the Brahmaloka are eight big cities of the eight guardians of these zones each covering an area of 2500 yojanas. All these are on the top of Mahameru and Brahma sits in the center in his city called Manovatl. Around his city are the others as follows :

(1) On the east is AmaravatI, city of Indra.

(2) On South-east is TejovatI, city of Agni.

(3) On the South is Samyamani, city of Yama.

(4) On the South-west is Krsnanjana, city of Nirrti.

(5) On the West is Sraddhavati, city of Varuna.

(6) On the North-west is Gandhavati, city of Vayu.

(7) On the North is Mahodaya, city of Kubera.

(8) On the North-east is Yasovatl, city of Siva.

11. ASTADRAVYA – Eight substances of great medicinal value –  (1) Arayal, (Asvattha Fig tree) (2) Atti (Udumbara Keg tree) (3) Plasu (Palasa Downy branch butea) (4) Peral (Vata-Banyan tree) (5) Camata (6) Ellu (Sesame) (7) Vayasa (Krsnaguru) cedar tree (8) Ghee.

12. ASTADUTAGUNA – The eight qualities of a good messenger. (1) He should not stand perplexed when he is being given the message to carry. (2) He must be smart and enthusiastic. (3) He must have compassion for those in distress. (4) He must run his errand quickly. (5) He must be mild. (6) He should not be duped by the cunning words of others. (7) He must be healthy. (8) He must be able to talk convincingly.

13. ASTAGANDHA – Akil (Eaglewood), Candana (Sandal), Guggulu (Indian Bdellium), Manci (JatamamsI-Spikenard) Kuiikuma (saffron) , Kotta(Kustta-bostus root), Ramacca (Usiram-Sweet rush), Iruveli (Valaka).

14. ASTAGUNA – (1) Bhutadaya, Ksama, Anasuya, Gaurava, Anayasa, Mangala, Akarpanya and Asprha.

(2) Buddhibala, Kulasuddhi, Sama, Learning, Parakrama, Mitabhasana, Dana and Krtajnata.

(3) Absence of Jealousy, Rjutva, Sucitva, Santosa, Bhasanabharigi, Sama, Satya, Sthairya.

15. ASTAKARANA – Manas (mind), Buddhi (intelligence), Citta (thought), Ahankara (egotism ), Sankalpa in the mind (imagination) , determination, pride from egotism and Avadharana in Citta.

17. ASTAKASTA – Kama (lust), Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed), Moha (delusion), Mada (arrogance), Matsarya (rivalry), Dambha (pride) and Asuya (jealousy).

18.ASTAKOPAVYASANA – (1) Paisunya (2) Sahasa (3) Droha (5) Irsya (5) Asuya (6) Arthadusana (7) Vagdanda and (8) Parusya.

19. ASTAKUMBHA – Suryabheda, Ujjayi, Silkkari, Sitali, Bhastika, Bhramari, Murccha and Plavinl. All these have to be practiced by students of Yoga.

20. ASTALOHA  – Eight metals. 1. Suvarnam – Gold. 2. Rajatam – Silver. 3. Tamram – Copper. 4. Sisakam – Lead,  5. Kantikam – Mercury, 6. Vamsam – Vamgam, TIU,  7. Lauham – Iron,

8. Tiksnalauham – Steel.

21. ASTAMANGALA – (A) Brahmins, bow, Fire, gold, ghee, Sun, water arid King. (B) Lion, bull, elephant, pitcher, camara, flag, trumpet and lamp.

22. ASTAMANGALYA. – 1.Kurava (2) Darpana (3)Dipa (4) Kalasa (5) Vastra (6) Aksatam (7) Angana (8) Svarna.

23. ASTAMANOGUNA – (1) Paratva (2) Aparatva (3) Samkhya (4) Parimana (5) Prthakta (6) Sam-yoga (7) Vibhaga (8) Vega.’

26. ASTAMCRTI(S) – Earth, Water, Air, Fire, Ether, Hota, Sun and Moon.

27. ASTANAGA(S) – Eight snakes. Vasuki; Taksa, Karkotaka, Sarhkha, Gulika, Padma, Mahapadma and Ananta.

28. ASTANGAHRDAYA. The medical science which deals in eight separate division the treatment of the human body. (1) Sarlra (2) Bala (3) Graha (4) Urddhvanga (5) Salya (6) Darhsfra (7) Jara and (8) Vrsa. Bala – Body which has not attained maturity; Graha – External elements which damage the health of infants; Salya – extraneous substance lodged in the body; Vrsa – The seminal fluid.

Every number has a certain power which is expressed both by its symbol to denote its representation and by its connection to universal principles. Numbers have relationships with all things in nature, thus making them supremely powerful symbolic expressions.

• Muslims pray 5 times in a day.
• Five major disasters – war, epidemics, famine, pollution and poverty.
• Five Yamas (code of conduct as per Patanjali) – Ahimsa (nonviolence), Brahmacharya (abstain from sexual intercourse), Asteya (non – stealing), Satya (truth in words and thoughts) and Aparagraha (absence of avarice).
• Five sacred symbols of Sikh religion as prescribed by Guru Gobind Singh known as Panj Karas or five ‘k’s are – Kesh (uncut hair), Kangha (comb), Kara   (steel bracelet), kachha (soldiers shorts) and kirpan (sword).
• Five basic tastes – sweet, sour, bitter, salty and savouriness.
• Panchopachara – five ways of offering daily prayer to the God – Gandha- The worshipper offers sandal paste to the deity, Pushpa – The worshipper offers flowers to the deity, Dhupa – Lighting of incense sticks and placing them in front of the deity. Deepa – Lighting a lamp and Naivedya – Offering of food to the deity.
• Panchabhuta – Prthvi (earth), Ap (water), Tejas (fire), Vayu (air) and Akasa (ether) are the Pancabhutas (five elements) .
• Panchabrahmasana – This is a divine cot with Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra and Isvara as its four legs and Sadasiva as the couch. Devi rests on this cot always.
• Pancadevis – Durga, Radha, Laksmi, Sarasvati and Savitri are the Pancadevls.
• Panchaksharamahatmya – . Namas’sivaya composed of five letters (Na-mah si va ya) is called the mantra of Pancaksara.
• Pancamahayagya – For a Grhasthasraml (householder) the following five apparatuses are unavoidable : A sifter, a grinding stone, a broom, a wooden mortar and a water-pot. It is believed that a sin is committed when each of these is used and to remove the sins thus committed the ancient sages have prescribed five yajnas and these five yajnas are called the Pancamahayajnas. They are the Brahmayajna, Pitryajna, Devayajna, Bhutayajna and the Manusayajna. Reciting of Vedas is Brahmayajna. Pleasing the manes by offering rice or libations of water is called Pitryajna. Giving offerings to the demi-gods in the sacrificial fire is called Devayajna and religious offerings of rice to the crows are called Bhutayajna. Giving food for the guests is Manusayajna. One who does not do the Pancamahayajnas is no better than dead. Some scholars have classified the Pancamahayajnas as Huta, Prahuta, Brahmyahuta, Prasita and Ahuta.
• Pancapranas-The five pranas (life breaths) of any living being are Prana, Apana, Vyana, Samana and Udana.
• Panca mutra – urine of 5 female animals viz. cow, goat, buffalo, sheep and ass.
• Panca ratna – a collection of 5 jewels or precious things viz gold, diamond, sapphire, ruby and pearl.
• Panca lavana – 5 different kinds of salt viz kaca, saindhava, samudra, vida and sauvarcala.
• Panca sugandhaka – a collection of 5 kinds of aromatics vegetable substances viz cloves, nutmeg, camphor, aloe wood and kakkola.
• Panca suna – 5 things in a house by which animal life may be accidentally destroyed viz the fire place, slab for grinding condiments, broom, pestle & mortar and water pot.
• Pancanga – 5 members or parts of a body.
• 5 parts of a tree Viz root, bark, leaf, flower and fruit.
• 5 modes of devotion – silent prayer, oblations, libations, bathing idols and feeding Brahmins.
• A calendar of almanac treating 5 things – solar days, lunar days, nakshatras, yogas and karanas.
• Panca pranama – obeisance made with arms, knees, head, voice and look.
• Panca tantra – well known collection of moral stories and fables divided into 5 sections.
  • Mitrabheda – breaking the friendship – benefits of divide and rule policy between our enemies.
  • Mitralabha – acquisition of friends. Advantage of selecting your friends judiciously.
  • Kakolukiya – tales of crows and owls – this brings out the dangers of friendship between those who are natural enemies.
  • Labdapranasa –loss of what has been acquired – shows how certain weakness lead to loss of one’s own possessions.
  • Apariksitakaritam – results of inconsiderable actions – illustrates the general principle of haste makes waste.
• Panca karma – 5 kinds of Ayurveda treatment viz. giving emetics, purgative medicines, sternutatories and enemas of two kinds: oily and not oily.
• Panca kashaya – decoction made from the fruits of 5 plants – the jambu, salmali, vatyala, bakula and badara.
• Panca gupta – protected or covered in a fivefold manner – like a tortoise drawing its feet and head.
• Panca chaksu – 5 eyes of Buddha – Mamsa Chakshu (the carnal eye), dharma chakshu (the religious eye), prajna chakshu (the eye of intellect), divya chakshu (the divine eye) and Buddha chakshu (the eye of Buddha).
• Pancajana – 5 classes of beings – gods, men, gandharvas & apsaras, serpents and pitrs.
• Panchagni – the 5 fires to which an ascetic who practices self-mortification exposes himself Viz one fire towards each of the four quarters and the sun overhead.  
• Panca tikta – 5 bitter things Viz nimba, amrita, vrisha, patola and nidigdhika.
• Panca tirthi – 5 principal places of Hindu pilgrimage – Visrauti, Saukara, Naimisha, Prayaga and Pushkara.

Noble Thoughts

Excerpts of discussions between two sages in Mahabharata. While reading, please consider the fact that this was written 3000 years ago and how relevant it is even today!

What are the sorrows of human beings?

There are many instances of misery that are seen among men in this world! Life with persons that are disagreeable, separation from those that are agreeable and beloved, companionship with the wicked, these are the evils which human beings have to bear. The death of sons and wives, of kinsmen and friends, and the pain of dependence on others, are some of the greatest of evils. There is no more pitiable sight in the world than that of poor men being insulted by others. The acquisitions of family dignity by those that do not have it, the loss of family dignity by those that have it, are noticeable by all. How they who have no family dignity but have prosperity try to get what they want with their wealth.  What can be more pitiable than the calamities and reverses sustained by the gods! Good families suffer due to the actions of ill-born and the poor are insulted by the rich. What can be more pitiable than these? Innumerable examples of such contradictory dispensations are seen in the world. The foolish and the ignorant are cheerful and happy while the learned and the wise suffer misery!

What the joys of good people?

Earned by his own efforts, without having to depend upon any one, he who eats even fruits and vegetables in his own house is entitled to respect. He who eats in another’s house the food given to him in contempt, even if that food be rich and sweet is despicable. If after treating guests and servants and offering food to the forefathers a good person eats what remains, there can be nothing happier than that.

Man of Virtue

Men’s minds are at first bent on the acquisition of knowledge. That acquired, they indulge in their passions and desires, and for that end, they labour and set about tasks of great magnitude. Once success achieved they indulge in much-desired pleasures of beauty, flavour, etc. That is followed by fondness, envy, avarice and then extinction of all spiritual light. And when men are thus influenced by avarice, and overcome by envy and fondness, their intellect ceases to be guided by righteousness and they practice the very mockery of virtue. Practicing virtue with hypocrisy, they are content to acquire wealth by dishonourable means. With the wealth thus acquired they are filled with a desire to commit sins. And when their friends and men of wisdom remonstrate with them, they are ready with specious answers, which are neither sound nor convincing. They commit sin in thought, in word, as also in action. From their being addicted to evil ways, they are guilty of a threefold sin. They being addicted to wicked ways, all their good qualities die out, and these men of wicked deeds cultivate the friendship of men of similar character, and consequently they suffer misery in this world as well as in the next.

Practicing self-discipline is important for peaceful life and attaining spiritual wisdom. And this self-discipline can only be acquired by subduing the senses as heaven and hell are both dependent on our senses. When subdued, they lead to heaven; when indulged in, they lead to perdition. Our senses are at the root cause of our spiritual advancement as also at the root of our spiritual degradation. By indulging in them, a person undoubtedly contracts vices, and by subduing these, he attains salvation. The self-restrained person, who acquires mastery over the six senses inherent in our nature, is never tainted with sin, and consequently evil has no power over him. Man’s physical self has been compared to a chariot, his soul to a charioteer and his senses to horses. A dexterous man drives about without confusion, like a quiet charioteer with well-disciplined horses. That man is an excellent driver who knows how to patiently wield the reins of those wild horses – the six senses inherent in our nature. When our senses become ungovernable like horses on the high road, we must patiently rein them in; for with patience, we are sure to get the better of them. When a man’s mind is overpowered by any one of these senses running wild, he loses his reason, and becomes like a ship tossed by storms upon the high ocean.

Avarice and anger must be subdued by all means, failing which people can get into untold miseries in life. A man must preserve his righteousness from being overcome by the evil consequences of anger, his virtues from the effects of pride, his learning from the effects of vanity, and his own spirit from illusion. Leniency is the best of virtues, and forbearance is the best of powers, the knowledge of our spiritual nature is the best of all knowledge, and truthfulness is the best of all obligations. The telling of truth is good, and the knowledge of truth may also be good, but God realisation is the highest truth. Self-abnegation, peace of mind, renunciation of hope, and equanimity,–these are the ways by which spiritual enlightenment can always be secured; and the knowledge of self (one’s own spiritual nature) is the best of all knowledge.