SEVEN !

What is the significance of the number seven (7)?.If we look around, we see many things leading us to or ending in seven. I think it is religions which gave so much significance to the number seven, irrespective which religion (or at least Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism).

Swaras

In Indian classical music, we have seven notes ( Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Da, and Ni) and we call it ‘saptha swara’, where saptha means seven. In western music also it is the same (Do, Re, Me, Fa, So, La and Te).

Lokas

As per Indian belief, its not just heaven and hell, but there are other planes too. It is said that there are 14 ‘lokas’ or planes. Earth is the seventh one. There are six above earth and seven below.

1. Satya-loka
2. Tapa-loka
3. Jana-loka
4. Mahar-loka
5. Svar-loka
6. Bhuvar-loka
7. Bhur-loka (Earth)

8. Atala-loka
9. Vitala-loka
10. Sutala-loka
11. Talatala-loka
12. Mahatala-loka
13. Rasatala-loka
14. Patala-loka


Chakras

There are seven major ‘chakras’ or energy centers in our body –

1. Muladhara (base chakra)
2. Swadhistana (sacral chakra)
3. Manipura (solar chakra)
4. Anahata (heart chakra)
5. Visudha (throat chakra),
6. Ajna (third eye)
7. Sahasrara ( crown).

Bodies

In a previous blog, I had mentioned about other components of our body. That too has seven aspects.

1. Physical body
2. Etheric body
3. Astral body
4. Mental body
5. Spiritual body
6. Cosmic body
7. Nirvana /Moksha body

Seven Seas

1. Black Sea
2. Caspian Sea
3. Persian Gulf
4. Red sea
5. Mediterranean Sea
6. Indian Ocean
7. Arabian Sea

(in India there is a different classification of seven seas – Kara, Kheera, , Sura, Ghritha, Rusa, Dahi and Jala)

Saptharishis (seven Sages)

1. Arthri,
2. Kasyapar,
3. Vasishtar,
4. Jamadagni,
5. Gautamar,
6. Bharatwajar
7. Viswamithrar

In Christianity too there are lots of mention about ‘seven’. Some in Bible and some as beliefs.

Seven Sacraments (as per Catholic Church)

1. Baptism
2. Confirmation
3. Holy Eucharist / Holy Communion
4. Penance
5. Anointing of the sick
6. Holy Orders
7. Matrimony

Seven Joys of Mary

1. The Annunciation
2. The Nativity of Jesus
3. The Adoration of the Magi
4. The Resurrection of Christ
5. The Ascension of Christ to Heaven
6. The Pentecost or Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and Mary
7. The Coronation of the Virgin in Heaven

Seven Sorrows of Mary

1. The Prophecy of Simeon over the Infant Jesus.(Luke 2:34)
2. The Flight into Egypt of the Holy Family. (Matthew 2:13)
3. The Loss of the Child Jesus for Three Days. (Luke 2:43)
4. The Meeting of Jesus and Mary along the Way of the Cross. (Luke 23:26)
5. The Crucifixion where Mary stands at the foot of the cross. (John 19:25)
6. The Descent from the Cross where Mary receives the dead body of Jesus in her arms. (Matthew 27:57)
7. The Burial of Jesus. (John 19:40)

Seven Virtues

1.Chastity
2.Temperance
3.Charity
4.Diligence
5.Kindness
6.Patience
7.Humility

Seven (deadly) Sins

1.Lust
2.Gluttony
3.Greed
4.Sloth
5.Wrath
6.Envy
7.Pride


“And on seventh day God ended his work” Genesis 2:2

“…..bowed himself to the ground seven times…” Gen 33:1

“….he made a mourning for his father seven days..” Gen 50:10

“And Elisha sent a messenger unto him saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times…” 2 Kings 5:10

“…..Mary called Magdalene , out of whom went seven devils..” Luke 8:2

“…having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God..” Rev 5:6

“And he had in his right hand seven stars….” Rev 1:16

So on…….

Not just in Hindu or Christian (Roman Catholic) belief, the number seven has significance in Judaism, Islam and other religions too….What is the significance of this number in my life? I don’t know. But I know that there is only Seven books in the ‘Intimate Note’ series by my Guru…

What exactly is the importance of number seven? When am writing this, I don’t know. I just noted down ONLY some interesting things that I have observed in connection with seven and just like many others, wondering what is the secret behind it….