Symbolism and Significance of Number One - Eka (१)

Om! Gam! Ganapathaye! Namaha!

Om! Sri Raghavendraya Namaha!

Om! Namo! Bhagavathe! Vaasudevaya!

Om! Ham! Hanumathe! Sri Rama Doothaya Namaha!

“As life unfolds from the cradle to the grave, there is an ever moving pageant of numbers so that one cannot deny the great truth behind them.” In continuation to the earlier post under the label Significance and Symbolism of numbers from a Hindu perspective (link provided below), let us see in the current post what the number ONE signifies.

Obviously, ONE signifies unity, supremacy, paramount, solitary, primary, and the best. It is independent of all other numbers and is the source of all other numbers. It has no divisors. In philosophical context number one stands for the primordial person who was at the beginning and who will be at the end and who is the source of creation. It symbolizes sovereignty of God who is uniquely superior to all. Pythagoras referred to number One as the Monad (philosophy). It symbolized the creator, it was a male number and it represents the strength. Monad is an indivisible impenetrable unit of substance viewed as the basic constituent element of physical reality in the metaphysics (Leibniz).  In Yoga one represents oneness with the Divine.

  

In astro numerology Sun is regarded as the ruler of number ONE. It signifies independence, leadership, self reliance, innovative spirit, will power, optimism, high confidence level, ambition, determination, ego, dominating etc. In Sanskrit number ONE is depicted as Eka (१) meaning Ekaika one or single. It also represents Ekatha meaning unity. In Hindu philosophy ONE (Eka) is one of the numbers which is widely used to describe various entities and events. Let us see some of the terms associated with Eka, what they symbolize and signifies in Hinduism.

  

Eko VishnuH

Ancient Hindu scripts declare God as ‘Eko Vishnu Mahadbhutah’ that means there is only one gigantic presence in the world and that is none other than Lord Vishnu who is there everywhere.  We find a reference to this quote in the phala Sruthi of Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stothram sloka # 20.

Eko vishhNur mahadbhuutaM pRithag bhuutaany anekashaH | 

Trii.n lokaan vyaapya bhuutaatmaa bhu.nkte vishvabhug avyayaH

Matchless and unparalleled in excellence Lord Vishnu the primordial supreme Lord, the mega spirit, pervades the many, various and different objects of three Universes and the three worlds of souls. Lasting as the inner soul of every being, He protects and enjoys all entities in the universe, yet remains unscathed by their faults.  He is indestructible.

Eko NaarayanaH

Lord Narayana is ONE. There is no other in any way whatsoever. Narayana Upanishad describe Him as ‘eko nārāyaṇaḥ Na dvitīyo'sti kaścit’ There is only one Narayana, the supreme Lord; the Aadipurusha and there is no one superior to him and is second to none. He is Adviteeya. He is the ultimate truth and the ultimate divine power.

  

Ekasmai Namah

In Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stothram (sloka # 78), Lord Vishnu is eulogized as

Eko naikah savah kah Kim yat tat padam-anuttamam

Lokabandhur lokanaatho maadhavo bhakta-vatsalah

Lord Vishnu is unique and no one can be equated with him and there is no one better than him. He cannot be grouped with others as belonging to a particular species. For the seekers of Moksha, He is the one beyond which there is nothing else to be attained.

Ekapade Namah 

(Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stothram sloka # 82)

Chaturmurti chaturbahu chaturvyuha.schaturgatih

Chaturaatma chaturbhaava chaturvedavid.ekapaat

Ekapat indicates the One with a single Paada (leg) or the one with a single foot or manifestation. In Sri Vaamana Avathara, Lord Vishnu in Trivikrama roopa single footedly stood and measured covering the entire Earth and the entire Aakaasa (sky).

Ekaatmane Namah 

(Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stothram sloka # 103)

Pramaanam prananilayah pranabhrut pranajeevanah

Tatvam tatvavidekaatma janma-mruthyu-jaraatigah 

Lord Vishnu is the solitary unique soul of outstanding excellence. He is the mega spirit present in every being of the entire universe, heart and soul of the universe and the only Aatman (soul) that existed in the beginning.

Ekaadasi

Ekaadasi is the11th day (1+10) that occurs twice in a Lunar month where ONE stands for Lord Vishnu (Ekasmai Namah). It is regarded as the most favourite day for Lord Sri Hari (Maha Vishnu), Haridina.

  

“Na Gaayathraya para manthra, na Mathru para dhaivatham, 

Na Kaasya param theertham, na Ekadasya samam vratham” 

It is said that there is no vratham (austerity) that is equivalent to Ekaadasi vratham.

Ekadanthaaya Namah

Ekadantha is a popular and earliest name of Lord Ganesha. In Sri Ganesha symbolism we find Lord Maha Ganapathi depicted as having a single or broken tusk (Ekadantha). In his second incarnation as Ekadantha, Lord Ganesha defeated demon Madaasura and his weakness Mada (drunkenness, arrogance). This form of Ganesha signifies readiness for sacrifice to complete any accepted task. This we find when he broke his tusk to complete scripting of Mahabharata while dictated by Sage Sri Veda Vyasa.  He is regarded as an embodiment of wisdom. There is also another legend behind Ekadantha, according to which, Lord Ganesha’s tusk got broken while confronting with Lord Parashurama.  

Ekaakshara Manthra

Om (ऒंम्) the Pranava is a single syllable manthra - Ekaakshara which is Parabrahma Swaroopam that is eternal. We find several references in this regard.  In Bhagawadgeeta 8th Canto - sloka # 13 it is referred to as Aum Ityekaksharam Brahma. In Rigveda Sandhyavandana while invoking Goddess Gayathri it is recited as Aum Ityekaksharam Brahma. In Narayana Upanishad also we find such reference as Aum Ityekaksharam. Om is the one Eternal Syllable of which all that exists is but the development. The past, present and the future are all included in this one sound,and all that exists beyond the forms of time is also implied in the word Om.

In Hindu spirituality we find several beeja manthras which are of Ekaakshara (single syllable) out of which, one of the most popular is that of Lord Maha Ganapathi (Gam).

Ekachakradharam Devam (Suryaashtakam)

Bandhooka pushpasankaasham harakundala bhooshitam

Ekachakradharam devam tam suryam pranamamyaham

In Suryaashtakam sung by Samba (son of Lord Sri Krishna and Jambavathi Devi) we find Sun God being described as Ekachakradharam Devam, the one who is God who has one wheel to his chariot. It is said that the chariot of Sun God has only one wheel that represents kalachakra. Entire kala-chakra, or wheel of time, is established on the wheel of the sun-god's chariot.This wheel is known as Samvatsara.

Ekaambareshwara 

Lord Shiva at the famous Kanchi temple is known as Ekaambareshwara meaning the Lord of Mango tree. It was the ancient Mango tree under which Goddess Parvathi was doing penance. Lord Shiva considered as an embodiment of Pancha Bhoothas, five prime elements of nature (Aakasa, Vayu, Prithvi, Jala and Agni) the Shiva Linga at Kanchi Kshethra is referred to as Prithvi Linga. 

  

Ekamukhi Rudraksha

Rudraksha botanically known as Elaeocarplus Ganitras Roxb are the seeds of Rudraksha fruits from Rudraksha trees.Traditionally we find Hindus using Rudraksha since ages and they are said to have originated (manifested) from the tears that have fallen from eyes of Lord Rudra. They are used not only for religious or spiritual purposes but are also used on health grounds. It is believed to have powerful electromagnetic properties in controlling stress levels, hypertension and induce tranquil feeling in the wearer.These properties are said to vary for different facets (mukhi). There are several facets of Rudraksha out of which one which is said to be rare and very powerful is Ekamukhi Rudraksha the one with single facet.

Ekapatni vratha

Ekapatni Vratha in the present day context known as monogamy being loyal and committed to only one wife is a unique characteristic feature expected of a genuine householder. Lord Sri Rama who is a personification of virtues and a role model even today and for the countless ages is the best example for Ekapatni Vratha who committed himself only to Goddess Sita Devi.

Ekalavya

In the epic Mahabharatha we find a character by name Ekalavya a tribal king who aspired to learn archery under the guidance of Dronacharya but was denied. Later on Ekalavya made a self study in the visual presence (image) of Dronacharya.

Ekanaadi

In Hindu astrology related to matching of charts for marriage, we find a concept known as Kuta agreement based on the birth stars of the two charts, where one of the factors of Kuta agreement is Naadi. It is assumed that Naadi Kuta has special reference to the health of the couple and implied to take cognizance of genetic compatibility. In astrological terms Naadi signifies the pulse and all the constellations (Nakshathras) are divided into three groups which in Ayurvedic terminology known as Vaatha, Pitta, and Kapha or Sleshma. These three groups or Naadis are ruled by different constellations. In matching the charts it is ensured that Naadi of both the boy and the girl fall in different groups. If it is in the same group it is called as Ekanaadi and such cases are not generally approved. 

Ekodara means brother or sister born of the same womb.

Ekakana Jeevi means unicellular organism

Ekachattraadhipathya means emperor, unchallenged sole rule.

Ekabhukta means taking meals only once in a day. It is one of the austerities that is generally observed during certain specific periods like Chaturmasam, Adhika masam etc.

Ekasloki Raamaayanam

Adau raama thapovanaadhi gamanam

Hathvaa mr(u)gam kaanchanam

Vaidaehee haranam jataayu maranam

Sugreeva sambhaashanam vaalee nigrahanam

Samudratharanam lankaapuri dahanam

Paschaath raavana kumbhakarna nidhanam

Thvaethaddhi raamaayanam

Eka-Sloki Bhagavatham

Adau Devakidevi Garbhajananam Gopigruhe Vardhanam

Maayaputhana Jeevithaapaharanam Govardhanoddhaaranam

Kamsachedana Kauravaadihananam KunthiSuthah Paalanam

Etad Bhagavatham Puranakaditham Srikrushna Leelaamrutham

Ekam Saastram.....(Bhagawad Geeta)

Ekam sastram devaki-putra-gitam

Eko devo devaki-putra eva

Eko mantras tasya namani yani

Karmapy ekam tasya devasya seva 

(Geeta-mahatmya)

There need be only one holy scripture—the divine Gita sung by Lord Shri Krishna; only one worshipable Lord, Sri Krishna; only one mantra chanting of His holy names; and only one duty—devotional service unto that Supreme worshipable Lord Sri Krishna.

While above compilation is not exhaustive readers’ views and suggestions are invited.

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu

Related posts you may like to read from the below links...

Symbolism and Significance of Numbers (Hindu perspective)

Eka Bilvam Sivaarpanam - Significance & Merits of Bilva the Divine Tree