SIGNIFICANCE OF NUMBER '3'.

SIGNIFICANCE OF NUMBER '3'.

*In the Grand scheme of creation, One is God, second is Prakriti or Nature.  Together  they manifest the rest of the creation.

** Creation cannot be a chaotic and disorderly process and therefore are Trinity of Gods, Brahma, the  creator, Vishnu, the preserver and Siva, the destroyer.  The number 3 is the symbolic representation of the Trinity.  

 **Usually we say Brahma, Vishnu, Sivan.  Number for siva is 3 because he is the third in the order.  He has three eyes (trinetra), carries a three pronged weapon called Trisul or Triayudga (trident), brings forth the triple gunas of Sattva, rajas and tamas. Lord Siva has three braids of hair known as trijata. In Rudram he is described as Triloka, Trikala jnani or the knower of three worlds (higher, lower and the middle).

**Similarly the Devis are three Sakthi, Saraswathi,  Lakshmi. 

**Similarly there are times, past, present and future. 

**The number ‘3’ represents the three layers of nature, viz., light, fire and darkness.

**number ‘3’ represents the three periods of day viz., morning, noon and evening.

**The number   ‘3’  represents the three paths of self-realisation viz, the path of knowledge, the path of love and the path of action. 

**The number   ‘3’  represents the three types of breath viz., the in breath, the out breath and the held breath.

**The number   ‘3’  represents the three steps of Vishnu in his incarnation of Vamana.

**The number ‘3’ represents the three states of being immanent, transcendent and the absolute.

**The number  ‘3’  represents the three duties of Brahmin viz., Sacrifice, study of the Vedas and charity.

**The number ‘3’ represents the three steps of Vishnu in his incarnation of   vamana.

**The number ‘3’ represents the three states of being immanent, transcendent and the absolute.

**The number ‘3’ represents the three duties of Brahmin viz., Sacrifice, study of the Vedas and charity.

** The number ‘3’ represents the control of body, mind and action by an ascetic.

** The number ‘3’ represents the three lines drawn of saivites (horizontal)  also of vaishnavite (symbolic vertical three lines)

** Buddhi is the third tattva and rationally the discriminating power whereby we know right from the wrong, the appropriate from the inappropriate.

 ** Three represents Birth, Life and Death. 

 **  The number symbolically represent  ‘AUM’   (அகார, உகார, மகார). 

**   It has three curves representation three states of consciousness. 

**  It has three hidden sounds and three letters. Together they symbolize the Absolute consciousness(zero). 

**  The lower curve represents  outward moving wakeful consciousness,  middle curve  represents the inner moving dream consciousness and the upper curve represents the silent consciousness of deep sleep.  The semi circle above  the upper curve represents turiya or the pure consciousness  and the Oneness as the three Gods become one ‘Brahman’ as detailed above.

**  The symbol ‘AUM’ is formed by devanagari/Sanskrit  script for 6, 7 and 8.

mirror it ( rotate 180 degrees). you will get 'AUM'.   Move the 6 to the last.  These numbers are most revered for some. 

**  The number ‘3’ represents the triple control of thought, word and deed, which also represents the three strands of sacred thread. (Punal).

**  The Pranayama Mantra has three parts. Manusmiti says as follows:-

“sa vyahritim sa pranavaam

gayatriim sirasa saha

trifpateth ayataf pranah

pranayamassa uchyate”

**  That is, vyahritis, gayatri and siris each part preceded by Pranava (AUM)  Mantram.  In detail,

AUM bhUH, AUM bhuvaH, AUM svaH, AUM mahaH

AUM janaH, AUM tapaH, AUM satyam

AUM, the primordial sound, resides in all elements of the universe. It permeates the earth (-bhUH), water (-bhuvaH), fire (-svaH), air (-mahaH), ether (-janaH), intelligence (-tapaH) and consciousness (-satyam).

AUM tatsaviturvarenyM bhargo devasya dhImahi

dhIyo yo nH prachodayAt.h.

We pay homage to Gayatri, the one who shines like the sun (tat savitur), the one who destroys all our sins through her everlasting and effulgent light. Dear Goddess Gayatri, please illuminate our path towards our higher consciousness and lead us to our true purpose in life

AUM Apo jyotiH rasomRRitaM

brahma bhUR bhuvaH svar AUM..

Please shine your light (-jyotiH) in our path so we may partake of the everlasting nectar (rasomRRitaM) of brahman while chanting the primordial sound, AUM'!