(1) nava (num.) [Ved. navan, Idg. *neṷn̊, cp. Lat. novem (*noven), Gr. e)nne/a, Goth. niun, Oir. nōin, E. nine. Connection with nava2 likely because in counting by tetrads (octo=8 is a dual!) a new series begins with No. 9] number nine. gen. – dat. navannaŋ (Sn p. 87); instr. – abl. navahi (VvA 76), loc. navasu. Meaning and Application: The primitive – Aryan importance of the “mystic” nine is not found in Buddhism and can only be traced in Pali in folkloristic undercurrents (as fairy tales) & stereotype traditions in which 9 appears as a number implying a higher trinity=32. 1. navabhūmaka pāsāda (a palace 9 stories high more freq. satta˚, 7) J i.58; nava – hiraññakoṭīhi (w. 9 koṭis of gold) VvA 188; nava yojana DhA ii.65. – 2. navangabuddhasāsana “the 9 fold teaching of Buddha,” i. e. the 9 divisions of the Buddh. Scriptures according to their form or style, viz. suttaŋ geyyaŋ veyyākaraṇaŋ gāthā udānaŋ itivuttakaŋ jātakaŋ abbhutadhammaŋ vedallaŋ M i.133; A ii.103, 178; iii.86 sq., 177 sq.; Pug 43; Miln 344; Dpvs iv.15; PvA 2. Cp. chaḷanga. – nava sattāvāsā “9 abodes of beings” Kh iv. (in exemplifying No. 9), viz. (see D iii.263=KhA 86, 87 cp. also A iv.39 sq.) (1) manussā, devā, vinipātikā; (2) Brahmakāyikā devā; (3) Ābhassarā; (4) Subhakiṇhā; (5) Asaññasattā; (6) Ākāsanañcâyatana – upagā; (7) Viññāṇanañcâyatana˚; (8) Ākiñcaññāyatana˚; (9) Nevasaññâsaññâyatana˚. – nava sotā (Sn 197) or nava dvārā (VvA 76; v. l. mukhā) 9 openings of the body, viz. (SnA 248) 2 eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth, anus & urethra (cp. S.B.E. 39, 180; 40, 259 sq.). – nava vitakkā 9 thoughts Nd2 269 (q. v.). – 3. a trace of the week of 9 days is to be found in the expression “navuti – vassasatasahass – āyukā” giving the age of a divinity as 9 million years (=a divine week) VvA 345. – Cp. navuti.
