Sanskrit Numbers
Sanskrit numbers (saṃskṛta saṅkhyāḥ – संस्कृत संख्याः) represent one of the most ancient and structured numeral systems in the world, systematically organizing numbers using place value and distinct names for each scale. Sanskrit has unique names for numbers 1–10 and specific terms for multiples of ten, hundreds, thousands, and large scales reaching into trillions, quadrillions, and beyond, preserving clarity in counting, calculation, Vedic rituals, and astronomical calculations.
These numbers were crucial in the development of Indian mathematics (gaṇita), astrology (jyotiṣa), and Vedic rituals (yajña), supporting precise measurements of time, space, and quantity.
Basic Numbers (1–10)
The Sanskrit words for 1 to 10 are:
- एक (eka) – One
- द्वि (dvi) – Two
- त्रि (tri) – Three
- चतुर् (catur) – Four
- पञ्च (pañca) – Five
- षष्ट (ṣaṣṭa) – Six
- सप्त (sapta) – Seven
- अष्ट (aṣṭa) – Eight
- नव (nava) – Nine
- दश (daśa) – Ten
Place Values in Sanskrit
The Sanskrit numeral system assigns distinct names for place values as zeros are added:
- 10¹ – दश (daśa) – Ten
- 10² – शत (śata) – Hundred
- 10³ – सहस्र (sahasra) – Thousand
- 10⁴ – अयुत (ayuta) – Ten Thousand
- 10⁵ – लक्ष (lakṣa) – Hundred Thousand (Lakh)
- 10⁶ – प्रयुत (prayuta) – Million
- 10⁷ – कोटि (koṭi) – Ten Million (Crore)
- 10⁸ – अर्बुद (arbuda) – Hundred Million
- 10⁹ – अब्ज (abja) – Billion
- 10¹⁰ – खर्व (kharva) – Ten Billion
- 10¹¹ – नि खर्व (nikharva) – Hundred Billion
- 10¹² – महापद्म (mahāpadma) – Trillion
- 10¹³ – शङ्ख (śaṅkha) – Ten Trillion
- 10¹⁴ – महाशङ्ख (mahāśaṅkha) – Hundred Trillion
- 10¹⁵ – वृन्द (vṛnda) – Quadrillion
- 10¹⁶ – महावृन्द (mahāvṛnda) – Ten Quadrillion
- 10¹⁷ – पद्म (padma) – Hundred Quadrillion
- 10¹⁸ – महापद्म (mahāpadma) – Quintillion
These terms continue for higher scales used in jyotiṣa and cosmological calculations within the Puranas.
Sanskrit Numbers Table
| Number | संस्कृत नाम (Sanskrit) | English Name (USA) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | एक (eka) | One |
| 10 | दश (daśa) | Ten |
| 100 | शत (śata) | Hundred |
| 1,000 | सहस्र (sahasra) | Thousand |
| 10,000 | अयुत (ayuta) | Ten Thousand |
| 100,000 | लक्ष (lakṣa) | Hundred Thousand (Lakh) |
| 1,000,000 | प्रयुत (prayuta) | One Million |
| 10,000,000 | कोटि (koṭi) | Ten Million (Crore) |
| 100,000,000 | अर्बुद (arbuda) | Hundred Million |
| 1,000,000,000 | अब्ज (abja) | One Billion |
| 10,000,000,000 | खर्व (kharva) | Ten Billion |
| 100,000,000,000 | नि खर्व (nikharva) | Hundred Billion |
| 1,000,000,000,000 | महापद्म (mahāpadma) | One Trillion |
| 10,000,000,000,000 | शङ्ख (śaṅkha) | Ten Trillion |
| 100,000,000,000,000 | महाशङ्ख (mahāśaṅkha) | Hundred Trillion |
| 1,000,000,000,000,000 | वृन्द (vṛnda) | One Quadrillion |
| 10,000,000,000,000,000 | महावृन्द (mahāvṛnda) | Ten Quadrillion |
| 100,000,000,000,000,000 | पद्म (padma) | Hundred Quadrillion |
| 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 | महापद्म (mahāpadma) | One Quintillion |
In summary, the Sanskrit number system preserves mathematical precision and cultural richness, aligning numerical expansion with cosmological perspectives and advanced calculations in Vedic traditions. This structure, deeply integrated into jyotiṣa, gaṇita, and Vedic rituals, enabled the systematic handling of vast numerical values required in the sciences and philosophy of ancient Bhāratīya civilization.