恒河沙ごうがしゃ

numeric

10^52 (or 10^56)

A traditional Buddhist large number, originally meaning the number of sands of the Ganges. The exact value varies by system; in modern Japanese it is often 10^52, but some contexts use 10^56.

• 恒河沙ごうがしゃは仏ぶっ教きょうの経きょう典てんに出でてくる大おおきな数かずの一ひとつだ。

  恒河沙 is one of the large numbers that appear in Buddhist scriptures.

noun

innumerable; countless

Figurative use meaning an extremely large, uncountable number. Rare in modern Japanese; mostly found in literary or religious contexts.

• 夜よ空ぞらには恒河沙ごうがしゃの星ほしが輝かがやいていた。

  In the night sky, countless stars were shining.