Sunday, August 23, 2015

Significance Of Number Seven







Number "Seven"...... It has its own significance in many world traditions and religions. In this article, let us explore the importance of this number in Sanathan Dharma tradition. "Sapta" is the sanskrit name for this number. 




In Indian astrology, Navagrahas play an important role. For each Graha, a number is assigned. (see the below chart for the list). Among the Navagrahas, the number seven is assigned to "Ketu". 




Symbolically, the number seven represents the Earthly plane.  There are 14 worlds according to Sanatan dharma scriptures and they are categorized as 7 higher and 7 lower worlds. The 7 higher words are (in descending order), Satya, Tapa, Jana, Mahara, Svarga, Bhuvar, Bhu respectively. Bhu loka is nothing but the planet Earth. If you take all 14 worlds together, there are six worlds above Earth and seven below Earth. 

To know about the fourteen worlds in details, please click this link :



SAPTA DVIPAS ( SEVEN ISLANDS) :  


According to Puranas, there are seven islands, namely Jambudvipa, Plaksadvipa, Salmalidvipa, Kusadvipa, Krauncadvipa, Saakadvipa and Pushkaradvipa.


SAPTA SAMUDRA (SEVEN OCEANS) :


For each of the above dvipas, there are corresponding oceans too. Please refer the following table :





SAPTA RISHI (SEVEN SAGES) :


This refers to the famous seven sages.  For each Manvantara, there is a separate set of seven sages. Hence, the Saptarishis for our current Manvantara (which is ruled by Vaivasvata Manu) are Kashyapa, Atri, Vashishta, Viswamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni and Bharadwaja.


SAPTA SWARA (SEVEN MUSICAL NOTES) :


In Sanatan Dharma, music and dance are also believed to be divine and celestial. The Veda that deals with these kinds of arts is known as "Gandharva Veda". Among the Gods, Nataraja and Saraswati are associated with dance and music. Among the demigods and other celestial beings, there are Nandi, Narada, Tumburu, Gandharvas and Apsaras. Swara is a musical note. Since music itself is considered to be divine, no wonder that number 7 finds its significance in this divine art too.. The seven musical notes are, Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha and Ni.


SAPTA PADI (SEVEN SACRED STEPS) :


This is an important ritual in Hindu marriage ceremony. As soon as the mangalsutra is tied, the newly married couple take seven steps around the holy fire.  Each step has a detailed meaning.

First step - To earn and provide livelihood for the family
Second step - Build physical, mental and spiritual powers
Third step - Earn and increase the wealth by righteous means
Fourth step - Acquire knowledge, happiness and harmony by mutual love and respect
Fifth step - To have cattle and children
Sixth step - For self control and longevity
Seventh step - To be true and loyal to each other and remain life long companions.

SAPTA CHIRANJEEVI (SEVEN IMMORTALS) :


The Puranas and the two Epics Ramayana and Mahabaratha give an account of the seven immortals, viz.. Ashwathaama, Mahabali, Vyasa, Hanuman, Vibhishana, Kripa and Parasurama. Look at the following shloka :

"Ashwathaama Balir Vyaso Hanumanash cha Vibhishana Kripacharya cha Parashuramam saptaita chiranjeevanam"


SAPTA GIRI (SEVEN HILLS) :


The popular holy shrine Thirumala, is known as saptagiri, as it is covered by seven hills. They are Vrushabhadri, Anjanadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Seshadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri.

Watch this video clip to know about the gods associated with each hill :




SAPTA KANNI (SEVEN VIRGIN ANGELS) :



In Hindu scriptures, especially in Devi Mahatmiyam, Sapta kannikas are mentioned as parivara devathas of Aadhiparasakthi. They are generally termed as "Saptamatrikas" (seven mothers) who are always depicted together. They have supreme significance in Tantrism and Shakthism (different sects of hinduism).

Shiva (Leftmost) with the Matrikas

By Daderot (I took this photograph.) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons




SAPTA PURI (SEVEN HOLY CITIES) :


These are the seven holy pilgrimage cities. These are where important avatars and spiritual masters are born. The pilgrimage centres are Ayodya, Mathura, Dwaraka, Ujjain, Kasi, Kanchi and Haridwar.


SAPTA NADHI (SEVEN HOLY RIVERS) :


These are the seven holy rivers namely, Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri.

SAPTA CHAKRA (SEVEN ENERGY POINTS) :


There are subtle energy points in our body. They are classified as seven upper chakras and seven lower chakras. The upper seven chakras are the major energy points and hence termed as "sapta chakra". They are (in descending order), Sahasrara, Ajna, Vishuddha, Anahata, Manipura, Svadhishthana and Muladhara.


By Siddhasana.jpg: http://www.yogaartandscience.com/about/about.
html derivative work: Mirzolot2 (Siddhasana.jpg) [CC BY-SA 3.0
 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons



Apart from the above, we also have the following attributes for the number seven......

  • Total number of days in a week = 7
  • Total number of horses on Surya's (Sun God) chariot = 7
  • Total number of classical planets = 7
  • Saptamukhi Rudraksh (Rudraksh having 7 faces) is considered to give prosperity, contentment, peace of mind to one who wears and also believed that it removes bad luck and miseries. 
  • Ratha saptami, is a festival which is observed on the 7th day of the bright fortnight (sukla paksha) in the month Maghaa. It is symbolically represented that the sun god surya, turns his ratha (chariot) pulled by seven horses, towards the northern hemisphere.


References :























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