Sri Venkateswara is known as the Lord of Seven Hills. He is also referred to as 'Edukondala vaadu' / Saptagirisa (in Telugu) or elumalaiyan / elumalaivasan (in Tamil) which means the one who is the Lord of the seven mighty mountains/who resides on them. We all know that the Vaikuntham has seven dwaras (doors) which open to His abode. In Hindu mythology, the number 'seven' is associated with many auspicious aspects and objects. Not only in India, we find names of few cities which represent 'Seven Hills' - a town in Ohio (USA) and we learnt from world history that Rome is believed to have been built on Seven Hills of Aventine, Caelian, Capitoline, Esquilline, Palatine, Quirinal and Viminal. Seven wise men of Ancient Greece — Bias, Chilon, Cleobulus, Periander, Pittacus, Solon and Thales; better known as seven sages — were known to be able rulers, lawgivers and advisers. The seven seas are the navigable waters of the world; Seventh Avenue in New York City is known for women's fashion industry... the list goes endless. An effort is being made here to put in as many 'sevens' as we find them with respect to Hindu mythology and our beliefs which form part of our day-to-day life.
Sri Annamacharya sung in his keerthana the names of the seven hills as Srigiri, Vrishabadri, Seshasailam, Narayanadri, Natavrishadri, Garudachalam and Venkatadri on which the Lord dwells. In Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam too, Tirumala Hills are named as Seshadri or Seshasailam, Garudachalam, Venkatadri, Narayanadri, Vrishabhadri or Vrishabhachalam, Vrishadri... Vayu is intoned by seven names in Vishnu Purana as Avaham, Pravaham, Nivaham, Varaham, Udvaham, Samvaham and Parihavam. The seven notes of music ~ Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Da, Ni ~ called as Saptaswaras also refer to the peculiarity of SEVEN. The seven wonders of the world, seven days of the week, ... are a few more examples. A list of aspects, objects, etc. which represent the uniqueness of Seven are provided as below:
| Saptaswaras | Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Da, Ni are the seven notes of music |
| Saptapadi | Taking of seven steps round the fire by the bride and groom together which complete marriage (for most Hindus) |
| Septemvir | A member of a seven-man ruling body in ancient Rome is referred to as Septemvir. [Also, septemvirate is the ruling body of these seven septemvirs.] |
| Saptarishis or Saptarshis |
(1) Athri, Bhrigu, Kuthsa, Vasistha, Gautama, Kashyapa and Angeerasa are the seven
rishis
(Wise men/sages), accordingly to Hindi mythology, with whose names the Gothras of
Brahmnins were formed. A person belonging to the gothra 'Kashyapa' is said to be the
'descendant' of Rishi Kashyapa... (2) Seven wise men of Ancient Greece ? Bias, Chilon, Cleobulus, Periander, Pittacus, Solon and Thales; better known as seven sages ? were known to be able rulers, lawgivers and advisers. |
| Saptahastha | Another name of 'Agni'. Agni devouringly guzzles with seven hands. |
| Sapthagiris |
(1) A town in Ohio (USA) (2) Seven Hills of Aventine, Caelian, Capitoline, Esquilline, Palatine, Quirinal and Viminal in Rome. |
| Seven Hills | Srigiri, Vrishabhadri or Vrishabhachalam, Seshadri or Seshasailam, Narayanadri, Natavrishadri, Garudachalam or Garudadri, Venkatadri are a set of Seven Sacred Hills which is now the abode of His Lotus Feet, Sri Venkateswara Swamy. Read Tirumala History |
| Sapthaashwa ratha | The Chariot of Lord Sun (son of Sage Kashyapa), driven by Anoora (another son of Sage Kashyapa), has 'seven' horses which travel across tearing night (nishi) apart penetrating sunlight on all sides. |
| Sapthavyasanas | The seven vyasanas are addiction to lotteries/sweepstakes, lust for women, wine, hunting, criticism, abduction or seizure and speaking harsh words. A person who indulge extravagantly in any of these seven actions will get easily addicted to it. So, we need to keep ourselves away from falling prey to these addictions. |
| Sapthanama of Vayu | Vayu is intoned by seven names in Vishnu Purana as Avaham, Pravaham, Nivaham, Varaham, Udvaham, Samvaham and Parihavam. |
| Seven worlds or saptabhuvanas | Bhuloka, Bhuvarloka, Suvarloka, Maharloka, Janaloka, Thapoloka and Satyaloka. |
| Sapthaprathisthas or Sapta-santhanas (Seven prestiges) | The prestige of (owning) a lake (Thataka pratishta), surplus wealth (corpus), the prestige of a temple, the prestige of owning unmeasurable land, the prestige of a virtuous (righteous) personality, the prestige of owning a forest, and the prestige of one's ability to write/compose devotional literature/ purana/ prabandha. |
| Sapthamathrukas or seven mothers | Indrani, Kaumari, Chamundi, Brahmi, Maheswari, Vaaraahi and Vaishnavi. |
| Saptakulaparvathas or a family of seven mountains/hills | The mountain/hill of Himavantha, Nishadha, Vindya, Malyavantha, Paariyatra, Gandhamadana, Hemakoota. |
| Sapta adholokas or seven base-worlds | Athala, Vithala, Suthala, Thalaathala, Rasaathala, Mahaathala and Paathala. |
| Septempartite | Anything separated into seven sections - like a book, wings of an industry, a seven-party-union... |
| Seven deadly sins | Pride, Covetousness (greed), lust, anger, gluttony (extravagance), envy and sloth (laziness). |
| Seven Courtiers/Cortege or Sabhasapthangas or Seven Patrons to the Regal Court | Poet, Musician, Instrumentalist, Singer, Historian, Sycophant and Comedian. |
| Seven wonders of the (ancient) world | The Great Pyramid of Giza, The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, The Statue of Zeus at Olympia, The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, The Colossus of Rhodes, and The Lighthouse of Alexandria. |
| Septuple | As double, triple, ... septuple is a denomination of seven - a seventh copy, a seventh child, seven times greater, seventh note. [Also septuplicate = to produce seven identical copies]. |
| Septet | A septet is a musical composition for - seven voices/seven instruments. Also, a company of seven singers. |
| Septenary | Any celebration in the 7th year of an achievement/activity; a seven-year period. |
| Septuagenarian | Of the age of 70 years; Between 70 to 80 years. |
| Seven Islands of ancient world (according to Hindu mythology) | Kusa, Kauncha, Jambu, Puskara, Plaksha, Saaka and Salmala. |
Om Namo Venkatesaya!
Additions to the above list are under process. Please visit again later.