Sanskrit Numbers

<p>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.

<p>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)

<p>The Sanskrit words for 1 to 10 are:

<li>एक (eka) – One <li>द्वि (dvi) – Two <li>त्रि (tri) – Three
1. चतुर् (catur) – Four
2. पञ्च (pañca) – Five
3. षष्ट (ṣaṣṭa) – Six
4. सप्त (sapta) – Seven
5. अष्ट (aṣṭa) – Eight
6. नव (nava) – Nine
7. 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

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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.