18 Chapters of the Geeta, 18-Day Mahabharata War, 18 Puranas… Is it a Coincidence?

The number 18 is not a coincidence! What is the mystery behind it?

• 18 Puranas
• Shrimad Bhagavad Gita: — 18 Chapters
• Mahabharata War: — Lasted for 18 days
• Mahabharata War: — 18 Akshauhini armies.
• Number of Puranas: — 18 main Puranas and 18 Upa Puranas and 18 Aupa Puranas.
• Shrimad Bhagavatam Mahapurana: — 18,000 verses.
• Principal in Dharma Shastras: — 18 Smritis
• In Shruti (Vedas) Smriti (Dharma Shastras): — 18 Vidyasthana (Seats of Knowledge) (4 Vedas + 4 Upavedas + 6 Vedangas + 4 Shastras)

What is the Secret of the Number 18?

1. There are eighteen (18) elements that function within the human body.

• Through these, a person performs both auspicious (virtuous) and inauspicious (sinful) actions.
  Therefore, it is said that there are 18 doors of virtue and sin. For the purification of these 18 types of actions, 18 scriptures were created —among which the 18 Purāṇas are the most significant.
• Good and bad deeds are known as virtue (puṇya) and sin (pāpa). All human actions are performed through these 18 elements.
• Hence, it is established that there are 18 gateways for committing sins. To remove the effects of these 18 kinds of sins, there must also be 18 corresponding means of purification. For this reason, in scriptures that remove sins or establish ighteousness,
  the number eighteen holds a special significance — so that the eradication of the eighteen types of sins may be achieved through these eighteen ways.

2. 10 Sins + 8 Virtues = 18 Karma

Nyaya Darshan (the philosophy of logic and action) categorizes our deeds with profound clarity

Ashubha Karma (Sin) – 10 Types:

• From the Mind (3): Malice towards others, desire to steal another’s property, disbelief in Dharma or God.
• From Speech (4): Lying, harsh words, backbiting, useless chatter.
• From the Body (3): Violence, theft, immoral relations.

Shubha Karma (Virtues) – 8 Types:

• From the Mind (3): Compassion for the distressed, controlling improper greed, faith in Guru/Scriptures.
• From Speech (2): Speaking truth, pleasant, and beneficial words; study of scriptures (Svadhyaya).
• From the Body (3): Charity (Dana), benevolence/protection, service to all.

The 18 Purans symbolically convey the guidance to regulate and purify these 18 Shubha (Virtues)-Ashubha (Sins) tendencies.

3. 18 Vidyas (Seats of Knowledge) in Shruti (Vedas) Smriti (Dharma Shastras)

“Purana-nyaya-mimamsa-dharma-shastranga-mishritah | Vedah sthanani vidyanam dharmasya cha chaturdasha ||” (Yajnavalkya Smriti 1.3)

Meaning: The four Vedas, together with the Puranas, Nyaya, Mimamsa, Dharma Shastras, and the six Vedangas – these are the fourteen seats of knowledge for Dharma and wisdom.

The fourteen Vidyas enumerated are for the Brahmanas, and four Vidyas are cited for the Kshatriyas’ side: Anvikshiki, Trayi, Varta, and Dandaniti.

• Brahmanas’ 14 Vidyas — (4 Vedas, 4 Upavedas, 6 Vedangas)
• Kshatriyas’ 4 Vidyas —
  • Anvikshiki (Logic or Nyaya Shastra)
  • Trayi (Knowledge of the three Vedas)
  • Varta (Knowledge of agriculture, trade, and economics)
  • Dandaniti (Knowledge of politics and governance)

Thus, the total comes to 14 + 4 = 18 Vidyas. Anvikshiki is the name for Nyaya Vidya. Trayi refers to the three Vedas.

Meaning: “Anvikshiki” means Nyaya and Logic, and “Trayi” means the study of the Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama). Although these two Vidyas are included in the previously enumerated 14 Vidyas… therefore repetition might seem apparent; however… its not repetition, Because:

• For Brahmanas, the use of the Vedas and Nyaya is for Dharma and Spirituality.
• Whereas for Kshatriyas, the same knowledge is used in politics and practical life.

The exposition of these eighteen types of Vidyas is found in various places within the Puranas. For this reason, it is appropriate to keep the number of Puranas also eighteen—because the Puranas have the essence of complete knowledge of the Vedas.

4. 18 Principal Duties (Dharma) Cited in Yajnavalkya Smriti

The Yajnavalkya Smriti cites 9 principal Dharmas—Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Shaucha (purity), sensory control, Dana (charity), Daya (compassion), Dama (mind control), and Kshama (forgiveness).

• Anuvrata (Partial Vow): Observance limited by time and context, according to time and person.
• Mahavrata (Great Vow): Observance uniformly applied to all places, times, and beings.

Thus, 9 × 2 = 18 forms of Dharma are created, the adherence to which is narrated in the Puranas.

5. The Three Lokas (Earth, Atmosphere, and Sky) and the Six States of All Visible Things. 3×6=18

The visible universe we live in is divided into 3 three Lokas (Worlds)—Bhuh (Earth), Bhuvah (Space (antriksh)), and Svah (Sky/Heavens).

Every object or element existing in these three Lokas essentially pass through six states as follows —

1. Asti (The substance coming into existence/existence)
2. Jayate (Its birth or origin)
3. Vardhate (Its growth or development)
4. Parinamate (Maturing or transforming)
5. Apakshiyate (Its decline or decrease)
6. Vinashyati (Its destruction)

Three (3) Lokas × Six (6) States = 18

These six states depict the creation, sustenance, and destruction of the entire cosmos… which is the subject matter of the Puranas.

From this viewpoint too, Puranas being 18 in numbers is not a coincidence, but a maths secret of universe and creation.