Geethartha Chintane 03: 18 = Symbol of the Universe + God

The word ‘Pundarikaksha’, which signifies the maturity of knowledge, is described by Shri Madhwacharya in his Bhashya (commentary). ‘Pundarikaksha’ means one with blossomed or bright eyes.

‘Narayana’ is a term that encapsulates both the Gita and the Mahabharata. The word Narayana symbolizes the number 18. This is derived as follows:

• ನಾ (Nā) = 5 (ತ Ta  ಥ  Tha ದ Da ಧ Dha ನ Na)
• ರಾ (Rā) = 2 (ಯ Ya ರ Ra)
• ಯ (Ya) = 1 (ಯ Ya ರ Ra ಲ La ವ Va)
• ಣ (ṇa) = 10 (ಟ Ta  ಠ Tta ಡ Da ಢ Dda ಣ ṇa)

The total is 18. This represents the codification of the entire universe and all living beings within it.

The concept also symbolizes the following:

• Jīva (soul) is bound by 15 constraints (fences).
• The 16th is the Jīva (individual soul),
• The 17th is Aksharatatva (the imperishable principle),
• The 18th is the Lord (God).

This symbolism explains why the Trimatastha Swamijis (followers of the three main schools of Vedanta) say ‘Narayana’ when offering salutations (Namaskara). This expresses the idea that the Namaskara performed by devotees is directed towards the original form of the Lord.

Shankara, Ramanuja, and Madhva, the three main Acharyas of the Trimata (three schools of thought), also first remembered Narayana in the Mangalashloka of the Gita. It is universally accepted that Narayana is the master of this world and that the world was created by him.