aṣṭādaśa

 In Sanskrit, "aṣṭādaśa" (अष्टादश) means "eighteen," and 

it is used in numerals, spiritual contexts, and classical 

texts to refer to the number eighteen or things grouped 

in eighteen.

Etymology and Basic Meaning

"Aṣṭādaśa" is a compound of aṣṭā (eight) and daśa (ten), literally 

adding up to eighteen

Wiktionary

 . It can function as a cardinal 

number (e.g., eighteen items) or ordinal number (eighteenth) 

depending on context 

Sanskrit Dictionary+1

. In Sanskrit grammar, 

the forms of the word adjust for gender, number, and case 

Wiktionary

Usage in Classical Contexts

Hinduism

• In Shaktism, "aṣṭādaśa" can refer to eighteen arms of a goddess, 
• such as Goddess Tvaritā, symbolizing her divine powers 

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• It also denotes eighteen practices or the sequence of eighteen 
• Nāthas in Tantric and Shakta texts 

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• In Shaivism, it can indicate the eighteen elements 
• (aṣṭādaśa-bhūta) representing fundamental principles from the 
• five elements to Śiva 

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• In Jyotisha (astronomy/astrology), it refers to eighteen months 
• in calendrical calculations authored by Varāhamihira 

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Yoga

• In yogic texts, "aṣṭādaśa" can denote eighteen days, for example 
• describing the duration of meditative absorption to attain specific 
• yogic powers 

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Linguistic Notes

• Sanskrit dictionaries confirm the term as a cardinal number (18) 
• and an ordinal number (18th) with uniform usage in classical, 
• Vedic, and later texts 

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• In Prakrit and related Indo-Aryan languages like Marathi and 
• Kannada, similar forms represent "eighteen" (e.g., Aṭṭhārasama 
• in Prakrit, ಅಷ್ಟಾದಶ in Kannada) 

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In summary, "aṣṭādaśa" literally means eighteen and is a term widely 

used across numerical, religious, astrological, yogic, and philosophical 

contexts in Sanskrit literature, highlighting the importance of the 

number within Indian cultural and spiritual frameworks 

Wisdom Library+5

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