The Amazing Number Nine...

By asking me some question about the number 9 during Navarathri, a dear friend provoked the numerologist in me, and I simply cannot resist sharing some very interesting facts about the number. The speciality of the number 9 can never be exaggerated! You certainly know some facts about 9, even though you may not have given much thought to them. May I enumerate a few outstanding facts below:

0. 9 is the final digit of the decimal system of counting.

1. Add any digit to 9, and the sum of the individual digits of the result will equal the original digit; compare this property with that of zero, which leaves the original digit after addition.

2. Multiply any digit with 9, and the sum of the individual digits of the result will equal 9; compare this property with that of zero, which leaves zero after multiplication.

3. Divide 9 by any digit, and observe the beautiful pattern that emerges out of the result.

4. Astronomically, there are 27 constellations in our galaxy, and each one them has 4 directions, and 27 * 4 = 108, In other words the number 108 covers the whole galaxy.

5. In Pythagorean numerology, 9 is the last of the digits, and thus marks (among several other things) conclusion, end, finalization, judgement, fruition, rhythm, justice, regeneration, spirituality, voyaging, ambition, intellectualism. Also, the words "FORTY FIVE" and "FIFTY FOUR" each sum up to 54 (9x6). Note that 6 is the sum of the factors of 9 (3x3=9, 3+3=6). Also note that 5+4 is also 9. The Gematria of the word "Dan," which means a judge, is 54 (9x6).

6. In one minute, we breathe in approximately 15 times, in 1 hour 900 times, and in 12 hours 10800 times, and in a day 21600 times. The sum of individual digits of either 10800 or 21600 is nine.

7. According to Indian mythology, there are 4 Yugs

         Satyug - consists of 172,800 years (1+7+2+8 = 18 == (1+8 = 9)

         TretaYug consists of 1296000 years (1+2+9+6 = 18 =  (1+8 = 9)

         DwaparYug consists of 864000 years (8+4+6) = 18 = (1+8 = 9)

         Kaliyug   consists of 432000 years (4+3+2) = 9 

8. In Hinduism, Rishi Vyas created 9 Purans, 108 MahaPuran (Upnishads). Mahabharat has 18 chapters, Geeta has 18 chapters, Bhagavat has 108000 verses. The sum of individual digits of each of these numbers is 9.

9. Our festival "Nava Rathri" literally means, and is practically celebrated for, 9 nights, and it signifies the 9 forms of the Goddess.

So much more can be written about the number 9, but I am feeling overwhelmed and saturated at the moment. However, in addition to the above 9 facts, I shall cite certain miscellaneous references that I had come across during my study of the number 9 (please note that I have not personally done any research on the references below):

A. In Roman Catholic Europe, when the Angelus tolls (at morning, noon, and evening), it ring 3+3+3 and then 9 times, in celebration of the Virgin's conception of the Saviour.

B. The Ennead, or nine pointed star, is an ancient and sacred symbol. It comprises three trinities. The Egyptian, Celtic, Greek and Christian myths all have an Ennead of nine gods and goddesses, representing the entire archetypal range of principles.

C. The sum of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet is 4995. Note that the sum of individual digits comes to 9, and also that 4995=5x999. Also, "th orgh mou" (tee orgee mou), my wrath = 999 (Hebrews 3:11)

D. In 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 are also nine in number:

The word of wisdom, 

The word of knowledge, 

Faith, 

Healing, 

The working of miracles, 

Prophecy, 

Discerning of spirits, 

Divers kinds of tongues, 

The interpretation of tongues.

E. Nine persons "stoned.":

The blasphemer, Leviticus 24:14. 

The Sabbath-breaker, Numbers 15:36. 

Achan, Joshua 7:25. 

Abimelech, Judges 9:53. 

Adoram, 1 Kings 12:18. 

Naboth, 1 Kings 21:10. 

Zechariah, 2Chronicles 24:21. 

Stephen, Acts 7. 

Paul, Acts 14:19. 

F. Nine widows are specially mentioned:

Tamar, Genesis 38:19. 

Woman of Tekoah, 2Samuel 14:5. 

Hiram's mother, 1 Kings 7:14. 

Zeruah, 1 Kings 11:26. 

Woman of Zarephath, 1 Kings 17:9. 

The poor widow, Mark 12:42. 

Anna, Luke 2:37. 

Widow of Nain, Luke 7:12. 

The importunate widow, Luke 18:3. 

G. Nine persons afflicted with blindness:

The men at Lot's door, Genesis 19:11. 

Isaac, Genesis 27:1. 

Jacob, Genesis 48:10. 

Samson, Judges 16:21. 

Eli, 1Samuel 4:15. 

The prophet Ahijah, 1 Kings 14:4. 

The Syrian army, 2 Kings 6:18. 

King Zedekiah, 2 Kings 25:7. 

Elymas, Acts 13:11. 

H. Nine were afflicted with leprosy:

Moses, Exodus 4:6. 

Miriam, Numbers 12:10. 

Naaman, 2 Kings 5:1. 

Gehazi, 2 Kings 5:27. 

5 through 8: The four lepers at Samaria, 2 Kings 7:3. 

Azariah, 2 Kings 15:5

That should do for now... ;)

Cheers!

Plastic Breath

"Do me a favour, will you?" I requested our house-keeping lady, "Please stop burning those disposable cups and plastic bags in the campus around our office."

All I got in response was a big grin. It was not the sort of apologetic grin exhibited by someone who realizes that she was caught red-handed doing something idiotic. I may have construed it to be a defiant grin, but considering her case I resolved that it must be a grin that stemmed out of ignorance. The only tool I know to eradicate ignorance is proper education, which I then attempted to impart.

"You smile," I said, "but mine was a serious request. Plastic ought not to be burnt."

The grin only got wider, and this time it was accompanied by a glint in her eyes. The look on her face resembled that of a professional flutist who is informed that a flute ought not to be used as a musical instrument. Her features seemed to be shouting out to me that she knew best, that she had been burning plastic since time immemorial, that there was absolutely nothing wrong in doing so, and that she would keep up her excellent work; besides, nobody (else) had ever voiced an objection.

"You are certainly aware," I continued my efforts, "that the city corporation deploys garbage collection trucks?"

"Yes, sir," she replied with a smile. I was glad to have found an entry point. It's always easier to start with something one already knows and then proceed to teach the unknown stuff.

"Perhaps you are also aware that they maintain two separate containers: one to collect organic waste, and the other to collect inorganic disposables?"

"Yes, sir," came the concise response accompanied by the familiar smile.

"Do you know why they separate the two?"

"No, sir." The smile vanished.

"Most inorganic matter such as disposable cups and plastic bags that we discard can be recycled: used to manufacture new cups and bags. Apart from the obvious commercial value, burning plastic is not a good practice: it harms the environment as well as our health. When you set fire to all those items, all of us - starting with you - are forced to inhale the unhealthy fumes."

She seemed to seriously consider my tutoring for a few seconds. I thought she understood when she said as much, adding, "I was not aware it's bad for health."

All that had transpired only yesterday. "It's no use," said one of my colleagues when I told him what had taken place, "You just wasted your time and efforts explaining all that stuff to her." A few minutes ago, he called me out to show me something. I saw - in a small sand pit right next to the office building - a warm fire consuming a decent sacrifice of plastic cups and bags, exhaling dark smoke all the way up to the partly blue sky. Our lady stood by its side, poking her offerings with a long stick.

I rest my case.

Yipeeeeee!

It's raining, it's raining... it's rai-ai-ai-in-ing!

Yes, the monsoons have begun, bringing the much awaited respite from the sickening heat of the summer of 2009. This is my favourite time of the year, the time I eagerly look forward to every year, year after year. As the dark clouds collect overhead, as they rumble and spark into charged action, the lingua pura of nature never fails to inspire awe in me.

By the way, although it may seem as if the wind, the clouds, and the rain speak different languages, they are still able to communicate perfectly with all entities they influence: plants, animals, puddles, ponds, rivers, oceans, raincoats and umbrellas, half-constructed flyovers, dilapidated roads, deteriorating buildings...

All right, let me check myself before I get too carried away... I wish I could share much more about the pure language with my friends and readers, but, quite honestly, I know that words cannot effectively express the essence of such communication. I shall, therefore, desist, lest I fail as I have on several occasions in the past.

Somebody was heard complaining that rains in Mangalore have lost their intensity over the years; they are not the same as they used to be about twenty-five years ago. Very true, but we - shameless creatures called Homo Sapiens - are solely responsible for such deterioration in the natural standards. We don't have the right to complain as long as we continue to corrupt the music of nature with our needless noise. If evolution does not sort this matter out, Destiny certainly will.

It's raining, it's raining... it's rai-ai-ai-in-ing!

A Small Step

Save power. Contribute to fighting global warming. Use dark colours.

Cheers!

Rewrite: Rolling Stone

I've started rewriting my story 'Rolling Stone'. This rewrite will not only put to use some of the valid criticism and feedback I had received for the draft that I had posted in this blog sometime in the past, but will also expand the material to make it more enjoyable.

Earlier, I had broken down a few portions of Rolling Stone into shorter scripts, which I had posted here under independent heads. The intention was to develop each portion clearly, and to avoid getting my readers (or myself) entangled in a messy web of characters developed unclearly. I had also written a few incomplete bits of scripts, which couldn't see the light in their independent capacity; these will also be integrated into the rewrite.

Shall keep you posted.

Cheers!

Three Cheers To Twitter!

Suddenly I've become a big fan of twitter. Indeed, I was introduced to the concept a few months ago, but had failed to understand its relevance. Now I do see sense in it, thanks to Santhosh Kamath, my colleague and friend.

My latest updates in my sidebar. :)

Cheers!

PS: One of the most inspirational videos I've ever seen:

http://www.maniacworld.com/are-you-going-to-finish-strong.html

Haiku

I really don't know how I got inspired into writing Haikus; but it happened, and it feels wonderful! Since a few days these short (3-line) haikus have been popping up in my head at odd times. I have posted 6 of them at my poetry blog:   http://endlesschasmpoetry.blogspot.com/

Hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed composing them. Surely will do more in days to come.

Cheers!