Symbolism in Numbers – No. 9

Nine – Number nine (9) is the most intriguing digit of all the numbers. It is an absolute number which when multiplied by any number always reproduces itself; the sum of digits in the product will always be nine. In Sanskrit # nine is known as Nava; and Navaka means group of nine, fresh, new, blooming etc. It is such a fascinating, sacred and divine number that it is associated with several doctrines and concepts of Hindu philosophy, religion and spirituality.

1. Nine grahas (nine planets) – Sun, Moon, Mars, Budha (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Sukra (Venus), Sani (Saturn), Rahu and Ketu.
2. Navarasa – Navarasa means Nine Emotions in which Nava signifies nine and Rasa signifies Emotions.The nine emotions included in Navarasa are Shringara (love), Hasya(laughter), Karuna (kind-heartedness or compassion), Raudra (anger), Veera ( courage), Bhayanaka (terror), Bheebhatsya (disgust), Adbutha (surprise), and Shantha (peace or tranquility). These are the emotions that human shows according to the situations. Bharata Muni has explained these nine emotions or Navarasa in his treatise Natyashasthra.
3. Nine Dosa – Gulika, Visti, Gandantam, Visa, Usna, ekargalam, Sarpasiras, latam and Vaidhrtam.
4. Nine Karmasaksin(s) – Surya, Candra, Yama, Kala, Akasa, Vayu, Agni, Jala and Bhumi.
5. Nine Rivers – Sarasvati, Vaitarani, Apaga, Mandakini, Madhusrava, Amlu, Kausiki, Drsadvati and Hiranvatl.
6. Nine Duti – Duti, Dasi, Sakhi, Ceti, Dhatreyi, Prativesini, Lingini, Silpini and Svastri.
7. Nine treasures (nidhis) – Mahapadma, Padma, Sankha, Makara, Kacchapa, Mukunda, Kunda, Nila and Kharva.
8. Nine Prajapatis – Bhrgu, Marici, Atri, Daksa, Kardama, Pulaha, Pulastya, Angiras and Kratu.
9. Nine Yogins – Kavi, Hari, Antariksa. Prabuddha, Pippalayana, Avihotra, Dramida, Camasa and Karabhajana.
10. Nine Varsa – (Sub continents). Bharatavarsa, Kimpurusavarsa. Harivarsa, Ilavrtavarsa, Ramyakavarsa, Hiranmayavarsa, Kuruvarsa, Bhadrasvavarsa and Ketumalavarsa.
11. Nine kinds of Rajas – Sarvabhauma, Adhiraja. Narendra, Parsnika, Pattadhrk, Mandalesvara, Bhattabhak, Praharaka and Srotragrahi.
12. Nine kinds of Angels – Bhaktijvalaka, Jnanadhikya, Bhadrasana, Nathakrtya, Tattvaka, Balavad, Samadhanamukhya and Mukhyadevaduta.
13. The nine planets discovered in our solar system, are in the order starting from Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto.
14. There are nine forms of devotion – Sravana (hearing of God’s Lilas and stories), Kirtana (singing of His glories), Smarana (remembrance of His name and presence), Padasevana (service of His feet), Archana (worship of God), Vandana (prostration to Lord), Dasya (cultivating the Bhava of a servant with God), Sakhya (cultivation of the friend-Bhava) and Atmanivedana (complete surrender of the self). A devotee can practice any method of Bhakti which suits him best. Through that he will attain Divine illumination.
15. Human body is considered as a city with nine gates – navadware pure dehe. The nine openings are ears (2), eyes (2), nostrils (2), mouth and two excretory openings.
16. Nava Durga – Goddess Durga is said to have manifested in nine different forms known as Nava Durga. They are Shailaputhri; Brahmacharini; Chandraghanta; Kooshmaanda; Skhandhamatha; Kaathyaayani; Kaalarathri; Maha Gouri; and Siddhidhaathri.  Navadurga Stuthi is based on the above names. Goddess Durga is worshipped for nine days during Navrathri festivals.
17. Nava Naarasimha – Famous pilgrim centre, Ahobilam is called Nava Naarasimha Kshethra where, Lord Naarasimha is said to have manifested in nine different forms (Nava Naarasimha) within Ahobilam. They are Jwaala Naarasimha, Ahobila Naarasimha, Maalola Naarasimha, Krodha Naarasimha, Kaaranja Naarasimha, Bhaargava Naarasimha, Yogaananda Naarasimha, Chatravata Naarasimha, and Paavana Naarasimha. These nine forms of Lord Naarasimha depicting nine types of reactions are said to be the governing lords of Navagrahas. Worshiping these nine forms of Lord Naarasimha is believed to a good remedy for Navagraha Dosha. 
18. Nava Brahmas – Mareechi; Angeerasa; Pulastya; Pulaha; Krathu; Daksha; Brugu; Vasishta and Athri are the sons of Lord Brahma grouped as Nava Brahmas.
19. Nava Naaga – Anantha; Vaasuki; Sesha; Padmanaabha; Kambala; Sankhapaala; Dhaartharaashtra; Takshaka; and Kaali are grouped as nine great Naaga Devathas (Serpent Gods) who are adored in Hindu religion.
20. Nava Dhaanya – A group of nine grains generally associated with Navagrahas are; wheat (Sun), rice (Moon), red gram (Mars), green gram (Mercury), Bengal gram (Jupiter), black eyed peas (Venus), black sesame (Saturn), black gram (Rahu), and horse gram (Kethu). They are also used as a remedy for Navagraha dosha.
21. There are many common saying such as
    1. A stitch in time saves nine
    2. I am in cloud nine
    3. A cat has nine lives.
    4. They fell like nine pins.
22. NAVAKANYAKA – An important item of Navaratripuja (A festival of 9 days as observed by Sakti worshippers) is the worship of virgins. The nine kinds of virgins (from two to ten years in age) thus worshipped are called Navakanyakas (nine virgins). A girl two years old is called Kumari, three years old Trimurti; four years old Kalyani; five years old Rohini; six years old Kali; Seven years old Candika; eight years old Sambhavi; nine years old Durga and ten years old Subhadra. These girls are called Navakanyakas.
23. NAVARATNAS (The nine precious Jewels )  – The nine precious stones are pearl, ruby, Chrysoprasus, beryl, diamond, coral, jacinth, emerald and sapphire.

(Mukta – manikya – vaidurya – gomeda vajra –vidrumau, Padmarago maratakarh nilasceti yathakramam).

24. NAVARATNAS – Legend says that there were nine scholars who handled philosophy and arts, in the palace of the emperor Vikramaditya. These nine scholars were known by the name Navaratnas (the nine jewels) . They were Dhanvantari, Ksapanaka, Amarasirnha, Sanku, Vetalabhatta, Ghatakarpara,Kalidasa,Varahamihira and Vararuci.