Hinduism & Science: 8.4 million Species of Life
Vishnu Purana, One of the 18 Major Purana texts of Hinduism which is estimated to be written between 100 BCE & 100 CE. Mentions the number of Species on earth to be around 84 Lakh or 8.4 Million. It was brought to mainstream attention by Swami Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1974 Lectures. The same number and classification can also found in Karma Vipaka [Source] and is said to be in Padma Purana as well.
Here is the Verse:
Jalaja nava lakshani
Sthavara laksha-vimshati
Krimayo rudra-sankhyakah
Pakshinam dasha-lakshanam
Trinshal-lakshani pashavah
Chatur lakshani manavah
According to this Verse, the number of Species in each category is as follows [From Sanskrit Lexicon]:
| Category | # of Species |
|---|---|
| Water Born | 900,000 |
| Immovables [Trees, plants] | 2,000,000 |
| Microbes, Insects, reptiles | 1,100,000 |
| Birds | 1,000,000 |
| Animals [Four Legged] | 3,000,000 |
| Humans | 400,000 |
| Total | 8.4 Million |
Garuda Purana (800CE- 1000CE) (Preta Kalpa: Chapter 12: Verse 2) Classifies 84 Lakh Species into 4 Categories:
| Category | # Of Species |
|---|---|
| Andajas (Egg-Born) | 2,100,000 |
| Udbhijjas (Seed Born) | 2,100,000 |
| Svedajas (Sweat Born) | 2,100,000 |
| Jarayujas/ Pindaja (Womb Born) | 2,100,000 |
| Total | 8,400,000 |
Other References in the Scriptures, Texts
Kanaka Dasa (1509CE-1609CE): A saint who lived in Karnataka, Southern state of India, in one of his songs writes:
Passing through many bodies, evolving through 8.4 Million Species of Life, I have acquired this body;
This body is not Me, is not mine, it doesn't come with me after Death, Attachment to it isn't Good.
Seek Lord's assurance, Make your life useful.
Sikh References: Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh [1666 CE-1708 CE] wrote a Poem title "Chaurasi Lakh Joon Upai" which means "Solution to pass through 84 Lakh Life forms" to liberation.
What does Science Say?
Recent researches have found that there are around 8.7 Million Species (Source 2), but with around 15% variation Positive or negative. Scientists also affirm that new species come to existence and go extinct all the time.
Scientists Classify Life forms as follows:
| Category | # Of Species |
|---|---|
| Animals | 7.77 million |
| Fungi | 0.61 million |
| Plants | 0.30 million |
| Protozoa | 0.04 million |
| Chromists | 0.03 million |
The Total number of Species mentioned in the scriptures(8.4 Million) and the Recent Scientific research (8.7 Million) are very close. But the classification of species in both are very different, thus difficult to compare the numbers in each.
For example class of "Animals" includes "Birds, Reptiles, insects", According to Scientists total number of these is about 7.77 Million, the scriptures put them around 6.3 Million.