Symbolism and Significance of Number Four (Chatur) - Hindu perspective
Om! Sri Raghavendraya Namaha!
Om!
Gam! Ganapathaye! Namaha!
Om! Ham! Hanumathe! Sri Rama Doothaaya Namaha!
Om! Namo!
Bhagavathe! Vaasudevaaya!
In
Sanskrit, number four is known as Chatur. Chaturasra means a square and
Chatushkona or Chaturbhuja means having four corners. In Hinduism generally we
find Deities symbolized as Chaturbhuja having four arms. Examples are Lord
Vishnu; Lord Ganesha etc. Four represents the Chatur Vedas - Rugveda,
Yajurveda, Saama Veda and Adharvana Veda, which is the Sanatana Dharma
otherwise known as Hinduism. Four stands
for our time element that is reckoned by Yugas. We have four yugas (Chatur
Yugas); Krutha Yuga, Tretha Yuga, Dwaapara Yuga, and Kali Yuga. These four Yugas are collectively known as
one Mahaa Yuga. Dharma in Hinduism is symbolized having four legs and in each
of these Yugas, Dharma gets reduced progressively losing one leg in each Yuga. Lord
Brahma the Creator; first of the Trinal Lords is known as Chaturmukha Brahma or
Chaturaanana the one who has four faces.
Chatura
is a noun, meaning the one who is wise, intelligent, shrewd, clever, skilful, dexterous
and talented. Chaturatha means sharpness of wit; quickness of intellect. Who
can be more Chatura in this Universe than Lord Sri Maha Vishnu? In Sri Vaamana Avathara, in Mohini Avathara
and more particularly in Sri Krishna Avathara of Lord Vishnu, we find this
quality (Chaturatha) of the Lord established to the fullest extent. In the
great epics, Sri Mad Bhaagavatham and Maha Bhaaratha we find, Lord Sri Krishna
exhibiting his skill of Chaturatha on numerous occasions. In Sri Vishnu Sahasra
Naama Stothram we find Lord Vishnu eulogized with several terms associated with
the word Chatura.
Lokadhyakshah suradhyaksho dharmadhyakshah
krutakrutah
Chaturatma chaturvyuhas
chaturdamstras chatur-bhujah
(sloka#15)
Chaturmurtis chaturbahus chaturvyuhas chaturgatih
Chaturatma chaturbhavas
chaturvedavid ekapat (sloka#82)
Ananta-rupo ananta-shri jitamanyur bhayapahah
Chaturashro gabhiratma
vidisho vyadisho dishah (sloka#100)
Chaturaatma
refers to Lord Vishnu’s four fold manifestations for the purpose of creation,
sustenance, and dissolution.
Chaturvyuhah
means the one who adopts four fold or four dimensional manifestations (vyuhas).
To carry his activities He assumes four forms as Vaasudeva, Sankarshana,
Pradhyumna, and Aniruddha.
Chaturdamshtrah
means the one who has four fangs in his incarnation as Lord Naarasimha.
Chaturbhujah-Chaturbahuh:
He is one who has four arms wielding Shankha, Chakra, Gada and Lotus.
Chaturmurthi:
He is the one who is of four forms; Vaasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradhyumna and Aniruddha
and also the one who is with four aspects of Vishva, Taijasa, Pragna and
Turiya.
Chaturgatih:
He is the one who is sought after as the ultimate destination by all the four
orders of life (chaturaasrama) and by the four varnas as ordained by scriptures.
Chaturbhavah:
He is the source and from whom four great human values viz. dharma, artha,
kaama, and moksha have originated which are known as chaturvidha
purushaarthaas.
Chaturvedavit:
He is the origin and the one who understands Vedas; the one who is known and
understood by Vedas and only one who knows Vedas can understand Him.
Chaturasrah:
He is the one who is Just, doing justice to the deserving souls bestowing upon
them the four dimensional fruits of life; Chaturvidha Purusharthas according to
their karmic merits.
Among
the other Hindu deities Lord Hanuman is considered as Chatura; wise,
intelligent, shrewd, clever, skilful, dexterous and talented.
Other
terminologies associated with four (Chatur) in Hinduism are;
In
Hindu electional astrology, fourth day of lunar month is known as Chaturthi and
fourteenth day is known as Chaturdasi (4+10)
Chaturaasrama: Brahmacharya, Gruhastasrama, Vanaprastha and Sanyasa are the four orders of
life one has to follow.
Chaturvarna:
Four groups (castes) of people in the society viz. Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vysya
and Soodra.
Chaturmasam:
Four month austerity period starting form Aashaada Sukla Ekaadasi (Hari Sayani)
and ending with Kartheeka Sukla Ekaadasi.
Chatustaya:
Group of four or set of four or four types. In the epic Mahabharatha,
Duryodhana, Dussaasana, Shakuni and Karna are collectively known as Dushta
Chatustaya.
Chatushpaada:
Four legged or quadruped; an animal with four limbs and feet.
Chaturangabala:
An army complete with four wings viz. infantry, cavalry, elephants and war
chariots.
Chaturmukhi
Rudraaksha: In the concept of Rudraaksha, we find four faced one known as
Chaturmukhi whose ruling planet is Mercury. It is said to represent Lord
Brahma. It is believed to bestow upon
the wearer the power of creativity and increases the memory power.
Chatur-disa:
Disa means direction. Uttara (north), Dakshina (south), Poorva (east), Paschima
(west) are the four directions we have.
Chaturmoola:
Moola means corner. Eesaanya
(north-east), Aagneya (south-east), Nirrruthi (south-west) and Vaayavya
(north-west) are the four corners we have as per Vaasthu shaastra.
Number
four (4) generally stands for a square, rectangle, quadrilateral or a
quadrangle. According to Pythagoras, four symbolizes a decade that is the sum
of first cardinal numbers (1+2+3+4=10). Number four also represents a group and
solidarity. As per astro-numerology,
Rahu rules the number four. People born with four as their birth number are
said to be active, hardworking, systematic, thoughtful, diligent, careful,
objective, firm, analytical, calm, orderly and loyal. At the same time they are introverted,
serious, inflexible, reserved, melancholic, rigid, unfriendly and irritating. In
Chinese philosophy four is considered as an unlucky number. Four also represents the four elements of nature; Earth, Fire, Water and Air.
Astrologically
four represents a quadrant (Kendra); it points something strong, perceptible
and material. 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th
houses in a zodiac are known as quadrants. In the natural zodiac, fourth house
is Cancer (Karkataka) starting from Aries and Moon is the lord of Cancer sign. In
Hindu astrology Moon is known as Maathru karaka the one who signifies the Mother.
Fourth house (chaturtha sthana) indicates mother, education, general happiness,
immovable properties, vehicles etc. In
Hindi language number four is called as Chaar. Four abodes of God in four directions viz. Badari
in the North, Rameswaram in the South, Puri Jagannath in the East and Dwaraka
in the West are referred to as Chaar Dhaam the most revered sites for Hindus to
be visited at least once in their life time.
While
above compilation is not exhaustive readers’ views and suggestions are invited.
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