Significance of Triads (Number Three) in Hinduism

      Going forward in the evolution of religious traditions and customs, sets of faith on Trinity God's in Hinduism. This development is in line with similar processes taking place in other civilizations as well where new concepts kept emerging in response to the human nature of continuously changing the view on God and other things religious.

      We should, however, remember that Hinduism has allowed unlimited variations to be tried by its followers, as it does not believe in putting any boundaries anywhere. In fact, Hinduism never had any body or agency or organization to regulate as to what can be done and what cannot be done. This aspect has been both its strength and weakness alike. But like a running river has the power of treating pollutants poured into it, Hinduism also has accepted many adverse streams and allowed them to remain for a while and than swiftly thrown such practices to its bank. So, readers are encouraged to keep the fact at their back of mind that Hinduism and authenticity don't go together. There is not much that can be said as authentic Hindu and not so Hindu. The symbolism of number three in Sanatan Dharma mentioned below; therefore, can be looked at with this background. Let us look at some of these in details.

Number Three in Hinduism

Triads of Hinduism

      Over the history, there are many Triads (the number three) that have evolved and made their own important place in Hinduism. It may be a good idea to have a look at main triads as follows:

• Aims of life: Dharma, Artha and Kama-Much later Moksha also got added to make these four. These are already discussed earlier great details at a later stage.

• Sound of three letters of 'AUM' - Explained in very detail in Mandukya Upanishad, the word AUM represents primordial and powerful sound symbol of the Supreme Being. The first letter 'A' is spoken with open mouth, the second letter 'U' with partially open while the third letter 'M' is spoken with mouth closed. This way, this single word of just three letters is revered to represents all sounds, all words, all languages, all the possible knowledge sources and all mantras of the entire universe. Due to its sound strength, this word is chanted at the beginning of all prayers and all other rituals. People who practise it with desired intensity can feel its serene power as an aid for all aspects of meditations.

• Qualities of Matter: Called Gunas, we have Sattva, Rajas and Tamas representing Harmony; Activity and Ignorance and Inertia. These have been the bases of some of our main Philosophies and have been extensively dwelled upon even in Bhagavad Gita.

• Doshas for Human Body: These are Vaat, Pitta and Kapha. Heavily used for all matters relating to identification of ailments and their treatments. Indian system of Medicines, ayurveda, is completely woven around establishing balance in these three doshas in every human body.

• Planes of Space: These are Heaven, Earth and Hell. Used largely in all mythology based scriptures as also in exploring Hindu Darshan, the Indian Philosophy.

• Main Gods: The Trimurti consisting of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Does not find much presence outside Puranas. Most likely, it may have been Indian response to Christianity's version of God, Son and Soul because these Gods came to be regarded in their current position only in first few centuries after Christ.

• Stages of Consciousness: Used in Upanishads, these are Waking, Dreaming and Dreamless Sleep. Every human being on daily basis experiences all these stages. Later on the fourth stage got added named 'Turia' which is the stage where the Atman is supposed to be part of Brahman and hence, there does not remain any duality between Atma and Brahma. These terms are used for philosophical purposes only.

• Main Shastras: Three most quoted scriptures for defining Hinduism on practical basis are Dharma Shastra, Artha Shastra and Kama Sutra. These will be taken up for greater explanation later.