Symbolism and Significance of DASA the number Ten (10)

Om! Gam! Ganapathaye! Namaha!

Om! Sri Raghavendraya Namaha!

Om! Namo! Bhagavathe! Vaasudevaaya!

Om! Ham! Hanumathe! Sri Rama Doothaaya Namaha!

Number Ten (10) is a unique and the first double digit number formed by a combination of one (1) and zero (0).  When it is united (1+0) its sum is equal to 1- the return to Unity. 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. Zero signifies something very different from simply nothing. Zero has the power to build any number (eg.10, 100, 1000 etc.).

One stands for Eka and zero stands for Shuunya. Universe is called Shuunya and is regulated by the all pervading supreme Lord SriManNarayana the Niyaamaka. Zero is considered as a revelation of Divinity. It represents the cosmic egg. Lord Vishnu (Eka the unity) is known as Hiranyagarbhah from whose vitality emerged that famous golden egg (Shuunya) which is the one from which creation took place.

 

For Pythagoras; ten (10) was a symbol of the universe and it also expressed the whole of human knowledge. According to him, zero (Shuunya) is the perfect form which contains all and from which all is created. One represents the primordial person; ParaBrahma the Creator Lord Sri ManNaaraayana and zero represent the Universe created by Him. Combination of 1 and 0; Ten (10) is a perfect number that stands for completeness or Poornatha. Matchless and unparalleled in excellence, Lord Vishnu is the complete God; paripoorna Paramaatma.

In Sanskrit # 10 is referred to as Dasa; Dasan; Dasaka a group of ten; Dasa also means state, condition, period; a period of ten years (decade) is known as Dasaabdhi.  Legendary character Raavanaasura of the epic Raamaayana was known as Dasa Khanta; Dasaanana; Dasagreeva, all meaning the same, the one having ten heads.

Some of the concepts and terminologies associated with Dasa (#10) are…

Dasaavathaaras (Ten incarnations)

In Hindu terminology, the term related to number Ten (#10) that we recollect immediately is that of Dasaavathaara; ten great incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu has taken several Avathaaraas (incarnations) on earth. According to Bhagawadgeeta (4^th canto sloka # 7 & 8) Lord Sri Krishna says that…

Yadaa Yadaahi Dharmasya Glaanirbhavathi Bhaaratha

Abhyutthaanam-adharmasya thadatmaanam srujaamyaham

Parithraanaya saadhoonam vinaasayacha dhushkruthaam

Dharmasamsthapanaarthaya sambhavaami Yuge Yuge

Whenever there is decay of righteousness; O’ Bhaaratha (Arjuna); and a rise of unrighteousness then I (Lord Sri Hari) manifest Myself; for the protection of good; for the destruction of the wicked and for the establishment of righteousness; I (Lord Sri Hari) am born in every age. Whenever the evil over-takes the good and the world is sinking with sins; at that time I (Lord Sri Hari) will come to annihilate the evil and establish the righteousness.

Periodically the Supreme Lord Vishnu; descents upon the earth in animal or human forms and the mission is to preserve the world from the increasing evil and for protection of the good. According to Bhaagavatha Puraana, Lord Vishnu has taken 21 incarnations out of which ten are grouped as Dasaavathaaras. They are Matsya; Koorma; Varaaha; Naarasimha; Vaamana; ParashuRaama; Sri Raama; Sri Krushna; Buddha; and Kalki. Incarnations of Lord Vishnu especially the Dasaavathaaras, very much reveals the theory and concept of evolution much before the modern science could conceive.

Dasaratha

King Dasaratha a legendary name from the great epic Raamaayana was father of Lord Sri Raama the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Dasaratha literally means ten chariots. Born to Aja Maharaaja and Indumati in Ikshvaaku dynasty Dasaratha was a great warrior. On several occasions he had helped Demi-gods in their war with Asuras. He was such an accomplished warrior that he had capacity to fight with ten warriors at a time driving his chariot in ten directions.

Hindu Panchaanga (Almanac) and #10

10^th day in the Hindu lunar calendar is called Dasami and is known as Poorna thithi. It is one of the lunar days that is generally elected for performing auspicious ceremonies. Lord Venkateshwara married Goddess Padmavathi Devi on the lunar day of Dasami in the month of Vaisaakha maasam.  That’s why every year on this day of Vaisaakha Sukla Dasami special celebrations are held at Tirumala and Naaraayanavanam (near Tirupathi) the place where the Divine marriage took place.

Hindu Astrology and # 10

Number Ten (10) has a distinctive place in Hindu astrology as it represents the 10^th house (Dasama bhaava) the Karma sthaana; the house of job; profession; activity; avocation of an individual. It also refers to foreign travels, self respect, honours, knowledge and dignity and means of livelihood.  It is one of the important quadrant (Kendra) houses in a birth chart along with Lagna; 4^th house and 7^th house.  It is not only a Kendra but also an Upachaaya house in a natal chart. 

 

In the natural zodiac Capricorn (Makara raasi) is the 10^th house ruled by Saturn the Shani Mahaatma who is also the Karma Kaaraka the agent of Karma; administrator of Karmic law and dispenser of justice according to one’s karma phala. Incidentally Capricorn is a Bhootattwa Raasi (earthy sign) that represents discharging of our Karma phala on this earth that is indicated by the 10^th house. Dasaamsa the 10^th division of raasi is an important divisional chart in astrology that is studied while making predictions relating to the10^th house.

In astrological parlance Dasa also indicates the period ruled by a planet or raasi which is a characteristic feature of Vedic astrology. It is an effective tool used in making predictions.

Dasamukhi Rudraaksha

In the concept of Rudraaksha; Dasamukhi (ten faced) is known to represent Lord Vishnu and His ten incarnations (dasaavathaara); it has no ruling planet. It is considered as a remedy for Mercury (Budha Graha) related problems as Lord Vishnu is the presiding Deity of Mercury. It is said to be useful in psychological and neurological disorders. It is believed to work like a shield on one’s body and protects from evils.

Hindu festivals associated with # 10

Vijaya Dasami is the major festival that is associated with number ten that occurs on the 10^th day (Dasami) of the bright fortnight in the lunar month Aaswayuja maasam that marks the conclusion of Devi Navarathri festival. The festival is also known as Dasahara (Dasa + Hara); Dasa means ten and Hara means destroying; and Dasahara means the one that destroys ten negative passions.

Vijaya Dasami is one of the four most auspicious days as per Hindu calendar. Other three are Ugaadi, Akshaya Thrutheeya and Bali Paadyami. It is believed that any venture started on Vijaya Dasami day would bestow successful results.

10^th day in the bright fortnight of Jyeshta maasam is denoted as Ganga (Bhagirathi) Jayanthi, the day Goddess Ganga (Ganges) descended on to the earth.

Dasaaswamedha Ghaat

Ghaats of Varanasi (Kaasi) are natural supplement to the concept of divinity.  Varanasi has nearly 100 Ghaats. Most of these Ghaats are bathing Ghaats, while others are used as cremation sites. Many Ghaats are associated with legends. One such Ghaat located close to Lord Vishwanaath Temple is Dasaaswamedha Ghaat. It is believed that Lord Brahma created it to welcome Lord Shiva. It is said that Lord Brahma sacrificed ten horses in a Yagna (Dasaaswamedha Yaaga) performed at this place and hence the name Dasaaswamedha Ghaat. It is the most busiest and ancient Ghaat at Kaasi.

*Above list is only illustrative and not exhaustive; readers’ views and suggestions are invited…

Sri Krushnaarpanamasthu

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