18 Significance

I was always fascinated by number 18 - probably because I was born on 18th of OCtober and my dad would
always say that 18 is a good number because it adds upto 1+8 = 9. Searching more on 18 after having found this..
I feel my birthdate is way insignificant compared to the signifcance the number already has !

From Bannanje Govindacharya's lecture on Bhagavadgeeteyali hadinentara Nantu.

18
18 in Mahabharatha
18 Parvas in MBH ( Mahabharata -Parva-adhyaya-and-shloka count)
18 chapters in Geeta
18 days of Mahabharatha War
18 Akshouhini Army in Mahabharatha War

One Akshauhini has the following Composition - Check the link akshauhiNI
akshauhiNi - anIchini X 10 - 21870 Elephants,21870 Chariots, 65610 Horses,
109350 Soldiers
Total of Each unit -Elephant/Chariot - 2+1+8+7+0 = 18
Horses - 6+5+6+1+0 = 18
Soldiers - 1+0+9+3+5+0 = 18
18 denoting the essence of Mahabharata

Mahabharata has 7 charecters which represents the 18 values of Humanity.

1. Yudhishtira - is the personification of
1. Dharma - righteousness
2.Bhima is the personification of following 10 charecters
2.bhakti - devotion
3.jnana - knowledge
4.vairagya - detachment
5.smriti - timely sense
6.medha - memory
7.druti - confidence
8.stiti - conviction
9.yoga - balance, mental equillibrium
10.prana - life force
11.bala - determination
3. Arjuna represents
11.shravana - listening
12.manana - contemplation
13.nidhidhyasana - meditation
4.Nakula represents
14.sheela - charecter
5. Sahadeva represents
15.vinaya - modesty
6.Draupadi is

17.vedavidya - knowledge about the Vedas

7. Sri Krishna is
18.Vedavedya - Supreme Lord
Our life should have the foundation of Dharma , where we should cultivate the qualities of devotion ,knowledge etc
represented by Bhima and learn the Shastras through the process of Shravana,manana and nidhidhyasana as
represented by Arjuna.Along with the knowledge of Shastras, good charecter, conduct and modesty should be our
companions at all the times. with these 16, we should charm the vedavidye as represented by Draupadi and attain
Vedavedya as represented by Shri Krishna. This is the quintessence of Indian Philosophy. This is the meaning of
Bharata. This is the meaning of Bhagavadgita. This is the reason why there are 18 parvas in Bharata. 18 chapters in
Bhagavadgita. This is a philosophical number. This is the secret of Gita's Sankhya
18 denoting essence of Bhagavadgita
The universe is a triangle consisting of three parts.
15 fences in which 16th Soul is tied up. (kshara - perishable objects)
the 15 fences are
1. shradde - faith and trust
6. pancha bootagala beli - mannu,neeru,benki,gaali,akasha - (earth,water,fire,air,sky)
7. Imdriya - Sense Organs
8. Manassu - Mind
9. Anna - Food
10. Virya - stamina
11. Tapassu -Thought
12. mantra - speech
13. karma - action
14. lokAh - posession
15. nAma - Name and fame
17th Prakriti (Akshara - imperishable objects) binds the 15 fences to the soul.
If the soul breaks out of the 15 fences then he will reach the Paramapurusha who is 18.
This is Bhagavadgeeta.
18 Vidyas with teaches about Supreme Lord
4 Apaurusheya Veda (rig,yajur,sama,atharvana)
4 paurusheya Veda (Mahabharata,Ramayana,pancharatra,purana)
7 Vedanga (Siksha,Kalpa,Vyakarana,Nirukta,Chandas,Jyotisha,dharmashastra)
3 Meemasa (karma,Deva,Brahma)

18 Maha Puranas
6 Satwika Puranas(Pancharatraagama)
1.Vishnu Purana
2. Narada Purana
3. BhAgavata Purana
4. Garuda Purana
5. Padma Purana
6. varaha Purana
6 Rajasa Puranas(Brahma Purana)
7. Brahma Purana

8. Brahmanda Purana
9. Brahma Vaivartha Purana
10.Markandeya Purana
11.Bhavishya Purana
12. vAmana Purana
6 Taamasa Puranas(Paashupathaagama)
13. Mathsya Purana
14. koorma Purana
15. Linga Purana
16. Shiva Purana
17. Skanda Purana
18. Agni Purana

18 Upa Puranas

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Ganapathi Purana
Devibhagavatha Purana
Narasimha Purana
Kapila Purana
Nanddhi Purana
Vishnurahasya Purana

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Parasara Purana
Mudhgala Purana
Santhkumara Purana
Kumaara Purana
Brughu Purana
Kali Purana

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Dhoorvasa Purana
Ambika Purana
Kaalika Purana
Maareecha Purana
Maheswara Purana
Sowra Purana

18 Smiritis

18,000 Shlokas in Bhagavata Purana

18 mantras in Ishavasya Upanishad
18 mantras in Purushasukta
18 shabdas in Hamsa Gayatri mantra
18 Shrushti tattvas introduced in Shatapatha Brahmana
12 Months
5 Ritus
1 Samvatsara

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