There are about 8.7 million (give or take 1.3 million) species on Earth according to the latest estimation, the most precise calculation ever offered, with 6.5 million species on land and 2.2 million in oceans. This is based on a new analytical technique that is announced by the Census of Marine Life. Before the number was estimated to be 3 million to 100 million.
Only 1.3 million species on Earth have been discovered, described and cataloged and the study published by PLoS Biology says a staggering 86% of all species on land and 91% of those in the seas have yet to be discovered.
Surprisingly, Hindu religion belief of our soul passes through 8.4 million species before becoming human was estimated in ancient times. This is called transmigration of the soul. Initially, critics of Hindu religion used to say that this is just the myth and such many numbers of species do not exist. But with the advent of science, the published statement has justified the fact that the commendation of Hindu religion might be true.
According to Padma Purana, more than 5000 years old scripture, below classification can be identified.
- Jalaja (Aquatic) – 0.9 million
- Sthavara (Plants) – 2.0 million
- Krimayo (Reptiles and amphibians) – 1.1 million
- Pakshinam (Birds) – 1.0 million
- Pashava (Terrestrial) – 3.0
- Manava (Human like species) – 0.4 million
Jalaja nava lakshani, Sthavara laksha – vimshati,
Krimayo rudra – shankhyakah, Pakshinam dasha – lakshanam,
trinshal – lakhshani Pashava, chatur lakhshani Manava
Even Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita confirm this 8.4 million living species. However, Hindu religion slightly differs from science in the context that science explains according to the physical body found, whereas Vedic describes in the spiritual well-being of the species. For example, a bacterium is one species for the consciousness level and not by the size or cellular composition of the species.
Irrespective of whether scientists find all the species or the count of 8.4 million species or not, this article proves that ancient Vedic age was a highly advanced civilization that the sages had knowledge beyond the perception of modern scientists and more things are coming into light in a daily basis.