Vedic Numerology and its Benefits
The Vedas are some of the most ancient sacred texts in the world, dating from the 12th century BC in India. Veda means knowledge, and it is from this store of knowledge that Vedic astrology and numerology were born. The Vedic systems differ from the Western in one important factor. In the Vedic systems, the soul journeys through different lifetimes (and even forms) in search of enlightenment. The goal is always to get off the Wheel, as the cycle of reincarnation is called, and free oneself from earthly desires and torments. By delving into astrology and numerology, the individual sees where Karma from a former existence is brought back into play in the current life, and how the cycle of Karma may be overcome and enlightenment found.

So, rather than concentrating on personal psychological traits and emotional hang ups, the Vedic system uses prediction to determine the subject’s destiny in this life. The same is true of Vedic Numerology, which has some similarities with the Western (Pythagorean) system, but seeks a completely different outcome. Like Western numerology, Vedic numerology uses the numbers of your birth date and your name to divine certain characteristics. The three important numbers that are divined using the Vedic system are the Radical/Psychic Number, the Life Path/Destiny Number and the Name Number.

The Radical/psychic number is divined by using the number/s of your day of birth. For example, Nelson Mandela was born on July 18. Only the numbers of the actual day are used, and according to the system, must be reduced to one number – in this case, 9. Each number corresponds to one of the 9 Vedic planets in astrology. The planet that corresponds with the number 9 is Mars (Mangala), the planet of the warrior, ready to take up a challenge. The Psychic Number is how the subject sees himself, fighting for justice and humanity.

Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918. For the Life Path/Destiny Number, all numbers of the birth date, including the month, must be added together. In this case, the whole date reduces to the number 35, which is further reduced to produce 8. This number corresponds to Saturn (Shani) the planet of hardship, hard work and struggle. Saturn is known as ‘the servant’ in Vedic astrology. This number is Mandela’s Karma, his Life Path/destiny in this life, to struggle and sacrifice himself for the freedom of others.

The Name Number is much trickier to deduce. Each number, except 9, corresponds to a series of letters. The number 9 has no association with the alphabet at all, and only the numbers 1-8 are used. As well as the challenges of calculating the Vedic Name Number, all of the names by which a person is known are used.

Using this system, the Name Number for Nelson Mandela is 6. The Name Number is very much about how others see you and the relationships in your life. The number 6 says that Mandela is regarded as loving and nourishing, a warm and caring presence in a relationship. Of course, Mandela was known by six names, and his birth name of Rolihlahla Mandela also gives a 6 in calculation. His clan name, Madiba, reveals a 4, a radical who will challenge the status quo. He was also known as Tata, the Xhosa word for father, and this reduces to a 1, a leader in whose person the hopes of a nation were pinned. Khulu, which means grandfather, was a loving name. This becomes a 7, the philosopher and mystic. Finally, as a young man, Mandela was initiated into manhood in the Xhosa tradition and given the name of Dalibhunga, which also reduces to a 7. Thus all six names express the complex character of Mandela, one of the most revered leaders of our times, but one who suffered terrible hardship to find his Life Path/destiny.

Vedic numerology expresses the Karma of a person, and the manner in which they will accept or avoid the responsibility to act in accordance with it. In the Bhagavad Gita, Prince Arjuna tries to avoid the Karma that will mean the death of rebellious family members by refusing to fight. But Lord Krishna tells him that it is his Karma to take this distasteful action for the greater good. Mandela, too, had to take the actions that led to his suffering and imprisonment, and later to his freedom, so that the people of South Africa could be unified and end apartheid.

It is important to remember the role that concepts such as Karma and reincarnation have in Vedic astrology and numerology. These are matters of great importance in the Vedic tradition, more so than how we handle day-to-day challenges or how much money and possessions we can accumulate. The goal in the Vedic tradition is always to move beyond such mundane matters and seek enlightenment. Those who practice Vedic Numerology believe that freeing yourself of material goals and your soul from the torment of being chained to the Wheel of Life, is your true destiny. The benefits of Vedic numerology have a lot to do with planning for a prosperous future, a big house and a million Twitter followers. Like Nelson Mandela, you are a soul with a destiny to fulfill, and may be required to suffer and sacrifice before you reach your goal. But if you believe in Karma and the teachings of the Veda, the rewards will be greater than you can imagine. You could leave behind a legacy to inspire others, and make your name (all of them) immortal.