Mysticism – religion, superstition and confusion

By: Nidhi Chopra (nidhi.chopra@gmail.com)

We human beings have our own belief systems, faiths and theories. Some
of us believe in religion, some don’t. Its in our nature to collect data, theorize and
test that theory. Phenomenon are happening around us all the time – good or
bad, huge or tiny, visible or invisible (to naked eye).
We read books to find reasons, browse internet out of curiosity, study with
friends, teachers, family to find our path. We accumulate knowledge, sources and
friend list / network (web 2.0) over time.
But whenever humans couldn’t find an answer or reason, they blamed it on
nature or created a fear / superstition in head, then spread it around. Today we
are going to explore two such interesting concepts in this article which may
appear very mysterious at first sight.

Law and Religion

Before Hindu marriage act 1955, many people in India had more than one
wives simultaneously (i.e. remarrying without divorcing previous wife / wives).
One man lived with many women (if it was peaceful) and had children too. But
having more then three parents puts extra burden on children, their future
families (life partners and kids). It can create confusion in the family while filling
up forms, fights while sharing things, more and more court battles in family
during property divisions. Joy of togetherness brings burden of responsibilities. As
a result, children being to feel like slaves (number 10 / dasa / दासा). But family
and society don’t spare them. As situation became shameful, people tried to hide
data about marriages, births and deaths from Government. Indian administrative
bodies are often blamed for lack of data collection. With data collection and
analysis only we can test popular faith and myth.

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 Those who have just two parents, considered themselves of higher caste /
status (number 20/ beesa / बीसा). This number concept of 20 (बीसा) was captured
in Figure1: Durga Beesa Yantra (दुर्ाा बीसा यन्त्र) by our ancestors. If readers are
familiar with Hindu religion and its festivals, they may appreciate how the 9 digits
relate to nine forms of Goddess Durga (दुर्ाा). Sum of each arm in this sacred figure
is always 20 (बीसा or beesa or bisa) and no digit is repeated. This yantra is an
example of Sacred Geometry and Sacred Mathematics. Some sources tell us that
a yantra is the map or top view of the palace / temple of a particular God.

Figure 1: Durga Beesa Yantra (दुर्ाा बीसा यन्त्र)

We study what information our ancestors showed us, left for us – whether
it is religion, art or math. Sacred geometry is understanding the sacred (or hidden)
geometry used in the planning and construction of religious structures like
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temples, caves, churches, mosques, palaces etc. Sacred math is finding sacred (or
hidden) meanings to certain numbers in religious art found in texts and buildings.
Notice that sum of all the digits in this triangular figure with three handles on
each corner, is 45 (sum of first 10 whole numbers or sum of first 9 natural
numbers). Its an arithmetic series. Also notice the direction of movement as one
moves with incrementing numbers, starting from 1 in Figure 3: Moving in a
sequence. These three arrows show, how a person’s life is churned in three ways
by (more than 2) parents, relatives or other family members and society. The
three handles make the figure resemble triskelion or triskeles exhibiting
‘churning’ energy and movement. It can make people and families look rich, smart
and sharp, but it can be very painful at the same time.

Figure 2: Moving in a sequence (a and b)

Health and Religion

While studying various yantras I came across Figure 3: Shani Yantra (शनि
यन्त्र). This is a 3 X 3 magic square form in which sum of all the rows, columns and
diagonals is 33. Shani dasha (शनि दशा / साढ़े साती) is associated with back pain
and a normal human spine has 33 vertebrae when the bones that form the coccyx
are counted individually. This number 33 here is not a mere coincidence. It was
perhaps drawn to show / help memorizing this information. We hope that it was

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not drawn to create confusion or fear. People fear God Shani and his anger is
believed to be fatal.

Figure 3: Shani Yantra (शनि यन्त्र)

Look at the arrows in Figure 4: Direction of movement. This again shows 3

directions and 8 pressure points where somethings are acting upon. We don’t
know what those things are, at present.

Figure 4: Direction of movement (a and b)

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Work in progress
There must be more meaning to various numbers in such figures which is
under study.

Conclusion
We need better data collection to improve our understanding of faith,
myth, law and health. Understanding will lead to better growth of all sub-systems.

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