Symbolism and Significance of Number Three (३)

Om! Gam! Ganapathaye! Namaha!

Om! Sri Raghavendraya Namaha!

Om! Namo! Bhagavathe! Vaasudevaaya!

Om! Ham! Hanumathe! Sri Rama Doothaaya Namaha!

Number three is the first triangle number, a number the units of which can be laid out to form a triangle which is also known as Tribhuja. Triangle is the first complete shape used for mathematical calculations. Three is a prime number that cannot be evenly divided except by it and number one.  Number three is also known as Triad the noblest of all digits.  It was the first true number that was considered as the number of harmony, wisdom and understanding.

In Hindu philosophy number three represents AUM (OM) in its diagrammatic aspect which is considered to be primordial. Number three is considered as a highly sacred number that represents the Trinal Lords Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara and their energies Saraswathi, Lakshmi and Paarvathi. Known as Trimoorthi (Trinity) they are highly revered in Hindu philosophy. Sacred Yagnopaveetham is the triple stranded sacrificial thread joined by a knot called Brahmagranthi that is worn by those initiated into the Gaayathri recital.

In Sanskrit number three is known as Tri (३) which is also pronounced as Traya. Some of the terminologies associated with number three from a Hindu perspective are….

Trinal functions (Primordial): Creation (Srushti), Preservation (Sthithi) & Destruction (Laya)

Trinal Lords: Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Preserver) and Shiva (destroyer)

GOD: G (Generator) – O (organizer) – D (destroyer)

Trivikrama:

It is a very popular name of Lord Vishnu that we come across in Vishnu related prayers and epics. Trivikramah means the one who has conquered the three worlds.  In Sri Vaamana avathara, Lord Sri Vishnu in order to suppress the pride of King Bali, assumed the cosmic form of Trivikrama roopa and measured the three worlds (entire universe) with his three steps.

Triguna:

There are three states of mind or three natures or three temperaments that rule the behaviours of humans viz. Saatvika (humble and peace loving), Raajasa (aggressive) and Taamasa (inertia ridden). In Bhagawadgeeta (14^th & 17^th Canto), Lord Sri Krishna deals with the behavior of a man and different influences that these three qualities (Gunas) Purity, Passion, and Inertia plays on the human life, covered exclusively in two chapters-Guna Traya Vibhaaga Yogam and Sraddha Traya Vibhaaga Yogam.

Trikaalas:

Bhoota (Past), Bhavya (present) also known as Vartamaana and Bhavat also known as Bhavishya (future).  Lord Vishnu is known as the lord of all the three Kaalas (Time) – Bhuta-bhavya- bhavat prabhu the Kaala Niyaamaka the one who governs the Time (Kaalachakra).

Trikaalagna:

Lord Vishnu is Trikaalagna-One who perceives the past, present and future. 

Tridalam-Trigunaakaram….

Sacred Bilva pathra used especially in the worship of Lord Shiva is a confluence of three leaves trifoliate, which is a symbolic representation of Lord Shiva’s weapon Trident (Trishoola). It represents the Trinal Lords Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. It also represents the three qualities Sattva, Rajo and Tamo gunas and a symbolic representation of three syllables of Omkaara. Bilva dala also represents the three eyes of Lord Shiva who is known as Trinethra.

Trilokas:

Bhur – Bhuvah – Svah (Earth, Heaven and Netherworlds) are the three worlds which forms the universe.  In Sri Vishnu Sahasranama stothram Lord Vishnu is eulogized as “Tribhuvana Vapusham Vishnumeesham Namaami” The three worlds symbolize the body of the Supreme Lord and as such entire universe is nothing but the form of Lord Vishnu the Eeswarah who is the omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient.

Trayambakeshwar

It is one of the famous Dwaadasa Jyotirlinga Kshethras dedicated to Lord Shiva (Trayambakam Goutamitate) situated on the banks of holy river Godavari about 20 km from Naasik in Maharashtra state.  It is also the place of origin for Godavari River which is also known as Goutami Ganga named after the great Sage Goutama.  Uniqueness of this Jyothirlinga Kshethra is that it has three faces representing Trinal Lords, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara (Shiva).  Water from river Godavari constantly pours on the top of the Jyothirlinga.

Trayambakam Yajamahe.....

One of the most powerful and very ancient Mrutyunjaya Maha Manthra refers to the three eyes of Lord Trayambakeshwar (Lord Shiva) the great destroyer of all evils and sorrow.

Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bhandanaath Mruthyormuksheeya Maamruthath

Trayambakam means three eyed and the above manthra is in adoration of Lord Shiva. Reciting this manthra an exclusive homa known as Maha Mrutyunjaya Homa is also conducted for good health, longevity and to get rid of apa-mrutyu dosha and other obstacles in life.

Trishool (Trident): Weapon of Lord Shiva

Trinethra: One who has three eyes; Lord Shiva is known as Trinethra

Trimukhi Rudraaksha: In the concept of Rudraaksha, there is a three faced Rudraaksha known as Trimukhi believed to represent Agni (Fire God) and planet Mars (Kuja). It is believed to bestow upon the wearer the ability to distance him self from committing sins and wrong doings.

Naama Trayam:

No sacred ritual in Hindu philosophy will be complete without chanting of the three popular names of Lord Vishnu Achhyuta – Ananta – Govinda which is known as Naama Trayam.

Trikaala-sandhya:

Sandhya means the meeting period or transit time of day and night (dawn to dusk). Sandhyopaasana or Sandhyavandana is prescribed to be performed three times that is known as Trikaala Sandhya – Pratah Sandhya (morning before Sunrise), Madhyaanah Sandhya (before Sun reaches the zenith) and Saayam Sandhya before Sunset.

Trutheeya:

Third day (thithi) of either fortnight in a Hindu lunar calendar is known as Trutheeya which is known as Jaya thithi. Trutheeya thithi in the bright fortnight of Vaisakha maasam is known as Akshaya Trutheeya very sacred and auspicious day in Hindu calendar the day Krutha Yuga is said to have commenced.

Trayodasi: Thithi occurring three days from the 10^th lunar day (Dasami) is known as Trayodasi

Tripushkara Yoga:

According to electional astrology combination of a particular day, thithi, and Nakshathra (constellation), Tripushkara yoga occurs which is believed and said to be good for making investments.  It is also said that those born under these combinations have abundance in life and will live like a king wherever they are. They are…

Day: Sunday – Tuesday – Saturday

Thithi: Bhadra Thithi (Dwiteeya, Sapthami, Dwaadasi)

Star: Krittika, Uttara, Uttaraashaada, Punarvasu, Visakha & Poorvaabhaadra

Astro-Numerical #3

According to Astro numerology Jupiter is the ruling planet of number three. People born with number three as their birth number are said to be creative and imaginative, success oriented, having positive outlook, sympathetic, peace loving and warm by nature, at the same time highly ambitious, disciplined and do not like subordination. Number three deals with intuition, invokes expression, versatility and pure joy of creativity.

  

Trimathaachaarya:

Sri Sankarachaarya founder of Advaita philosophy, Sri Raamaanujaachaarya founder of Visishtaadvaita philosophy and Sri Madhvaachaarya founder of Dvaita philosophy are together known as Trimathaachaarya, founders and exponents of three great Hindu philosophies.

Trikarana Suddhi:

Purity in thought (mind), speech (talk) and deed (action) is known as Trikarana Suddhi. Any action performed with Trikarana suddhi yields positive results. It is otherwise also known as Mano (Manasa) – Vaak (Vaacha) – Kaaya (limbs) Karmana. 

Triveni Sangam:

The sacred Sangam is the confluence of three of the holiest rivers in Hindu mythology Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati which is also called the river of enlightenment.  It is said and believed that it is one of the four sacred spots where a few drops of the nectar 'Amrutha" spilled while it was carried by Lord Maha Vishnu during the episode of Ksheera Saagara Madhanam. The other three are Haridwar, Nasik, and Ujjain. These four places are called theerthas and considered holy by the Hindus. Among them Triveni Sangam (Prayaaga) is regarded as the holiest and Theertharaaja. 

These three rivers maintain their identity and are visibly different as they merge. While Yamuna is deep but calm and greenish in colour, Ganga is shallow, but forceful and clear, Saraswati remains hidden, believe that she makes her presence felt underwater. The significance of Prayaaga is widely known in the terrestrial and celestial universe. By bathing in the holy waters of Triveni Sangam one is ridden from all sins and gets all his desires fulfilled. Veni Daanam is a sacred ritual performed at Triveni Sangam. Triveni Sangam is just 12 km away from the Allahabad city.

Tripathagaamini or Tripathaga:

Goddess Ganga (Ganga River) is known as Tripathagaamini the one who flows in all the three worlds, Heaven (Swarga), Bhoo Loka (Earth) and Nether Worlds - In Heaven it is known as Mandaakini, on the Earth it is known as Ganga (Ganges) and in the Netherworlds it is known as Bhogavathi.

Tripuraasuras:

We find a reference to Tripuraasura Samhaaram in SriMad Bhaagavatham – 7^th canto. Tripuraasuras are the three Demons who were killed by Lord Shiva and in the process the palaces (Tripuras) where they were living along with their clan also got burnt.

Trijata:

One who has three braids of hair divided into three interwoven strands and worn down the back. In the epic Sri Raamaayana we find a character by name Trijata daughter of Vibheeshana who was entrusted with the duty of guarding Goddess Sita Devi during her captive in Ashoka Vana in Lanka. Though demonic by birth Trijata was portrayed as having good character.

Tridosha:

Medical science of Aayurveda is based mainly on the concept of three defects (tridosha) of the body viz. Vaata, Pitta and Kapha.

Triphala:

It is an Aayurvedic herbal formula a mixture of three fruits viz. Amalaki (Indian Gooseberry), Bibhitaki and Haritaki that is being used since ancient times as a very popular, potent and powerful aayurvedic remedy for three doshas related to Vaata, Pitta and Kapha. The medicine is available in the form of powder, tablets as well as syrup. The medicine has a balancing effect on the three constitutional elements that govern human life that boosts the immune system. It is used in a wide range of applications, specifically in digestive disorders, constipation etc.

Trivarna Pathaaka:

National flag of India is a tricolored flag having three colours viz. Saafron signifying sacrifice, Green that signifies prosperity and White that signifies peace.

Sri Krushnaarpanamasthu