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Swetamber and the Digamber, "Samkhyati Iti Samkhya" - that, which could be divided, is a number. From this point of view, the minimum number starts with 'two'. In the Sthananga-Sutra, ten types of mathematics are described in the chapter dealing with numerate terms.
Now, let us dwell on the basic question, why the powers of eighty-four lakhs were employed in counting of large numbers?
3. Unique Number
In Jain theory, there are eighty-four lakhs possible originations or classes (yoyni) of bios (living beings). The bios transmigrate again and again within these classes during the cycles of births and rebirths, till it does not become free from the bondage of Karma. Perhaps this limit had rendered the counting beyond this number as redundant.
In view of the digits, the number 84 has the specialty that on multiplying it again and again, the resulting numbers are such that the sum of their individual digits is always nine (9). As such the number 9 is regarded as divine and holy. For example, if we square the number 84, we get:
84x84 = 7056.
The sum of the digits of the above number is (7+0+5+6) = 18; (1+8)= 9
Similarly,
84x84x84 = 592704;
The sum of the digits of the above number is (5+9+2+7+0+4)=27; (2+7)=9
Similarly,
84x84x84x84 = 49787136; (4+9+7+8+7+1+3+6)=45; (4+5)=9.
This pattern seems to continue up to the 'shirshprahalika' and beyond. This is just an indicative possibility; no such explanation is available in Jain Agam literature. In view of the author, the most probable reason could be that the mathematics in that era was more practical than theoretical. For very practical reason of reducing the numerical terms between the figure of 84lakhs till the shirshprahelika and extending up to innumerate, the mathematicians of that ancient period decided to increment in the powers rather than addition and multiplication. Let us look at the following table :
Numerical terms between 1&100 = hundred
Numerical terms between 101&1000 = nine hundred Numerical terms between 1001&10000= nine thousand
Numerical terms between 8400000 & shirshprahelika =?????
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