Relationship between Number 7, Sabtha Kanni & Assevagam

In the early days, Aseevagam was primarily a way of life (culture) for Tamils. It has no idols or deities, and it was founded mostly on philosophy and concepts. In Aseevagam, the number 7 has been used extensively. It begins at Kumari Kandam, which is thought to be Assevagam's birthplace. Assevagam is linked with Nagar community and it was the tradition followed by Nagas. 

Kumari Kandam itself was divided into 7 different regions, and each region classified into 7 different categories making it total of 49 territories (நாடு). We can see a clear description about this in Silapathigaram (சிலப்பதிகாரம்). 

Translating in English

1. Ezhu Thenga Nadu (Seven coconut Lands)
2. Ezhu Madurai Nadu (7 places that filled with lot of trees called Marutha maram (மருத மரம்) 
3. Ezhu Gunakarai Nadu (Seven coastal lands)
4. Ezhu Pin paalai Nadu (Seven Back sandy lands)
5. Ezhu Mun Paalai Nadu (Seven Front sandy Lands)
6.  Ezhu Kundra Nadu (Seven Hilly lands)
7. Ezhu Kurum Panai Nadu (Seven Dwarf -Palm Lands)

Saptha Kanni, also known as 7 Kumari or Ezhu Kumari, is a concept that originated in Assevagam. In this post, we'll refer to it as saptha kanni because that's how it's known now. Sapta kanni signifies seven stages of human life for women, each lasting 12 years in Assevagam.

The seven stages for women were 

1. Paythai - பேதை - representing the first 12 years from 0 - 12
2. Pedhumbai - பெதும்பை - representing age 12 - 24
3. Mangai - மங்கை - representing age 24 - 36
4. Madanthai - மடந்தை - representing age 36- 48
5. Arivai - அரிவை - representing 48 - 60
6. Terivai - தெரிவை  - representing 60 - 72
7. Per ilampen - பேர் இளம்பெண்  - representing 72 +

Not just for women, it has seven stages for men also and those are 

1. Palagan - பாலகன் - representing age 0 - 12
2. Vidalai - விடலை - representing age 12 - 24
3. Kalai - காளை - representing age 24 - 36
4. Meli - மேழி - representing age 36 - 48
5. Maravoan - மறவோன் - representing age 48 - 60
6. Thiravoan - திரவோன் - representing age 60 - 72
7. Mudhumagan - முதுமகன் - representing age 72+

The similar naming concept for men and women to represent their age at various stage of life can be found in several Tamil literatures, such as Thirukural, Silapathigaram, Purananuru, and so on.

These 7 stages of human life were further simplified by colour coding, which is also related to the 7 stages of chakra, or the 7 steps that a human being must achieve in order to attain Mukthi, Moktcham, or Nirvana.

Also to represent various stages of life they associated this seven stages of life of human beings with seven colors and those are 

1. Black which represent first chakra which is Moolatharam
2. Blue, which represent second chakra which is Swastanam
3. Green which represent Manipooragam
4. Red or Orange which represent Anagatham
5. Golden yellow which represent Visutthi
6. White which represent Agnai
7. Transparent or color less which represent Thuriyam or Nirvana

The word nirvana is also a Tamil word. Water is the best example when you want to choose a example for transparency. As the water doesn't have any color and it takes up the shape and color of the substance it flows. So to represent a color for transparency we can tell it as water color and in Tamil water is called neer and color is varnam and hence Neer+varna  transformed to Nirvana.

To depict the chakra, the first colour is black, which represents the beginning of human life when the mind is in darkness, and the greatest level is white, which represents brightness, and lastly moksha, which means colourless, odourless stage.

Even today, during Thaipusam at Vadalur Vallar's Joythi Dharisanam, the seven stages of chakra are represented by the seven screens (thirai), and those seven screens will be in the same seven different colours, and devotees will see the Jothi Dharisanam (vallalar Motcha) which represents the Nirvana Stage by removing those seven screens one by one. See video below

The current Saptha Kanni and Saptha Rishi's (Ezhu Muni in Tamilnadu, that is how they call it today) way of worship, with Idols with huge eyes and frightening faces and big weapons, all happened to come after the post-vedic times, introduced to defame and kill Aseevangam and Tamil culture, which was seen as Indo Aryans' main agenda.

They won't modify the entire model since they don't know how to design one, so they'll keep a few aspects and damage the notion with some mythical narrative, as we've seen in many examples. Similarly, they have kept the colour codings associated with the deities, despite the fact that they are out of sequence. And it's understandable that these temples will always be in isolated locations in villages, in bushy or jungle areas, or near hills, so that fewer people will visit these temples, and young children will be scared to go because of the scary visuals and location. Furthermore, Brahmins never perform pooja in these temples. Only a local priest will be present to perform the rituals.

Lets see the deity names and how they are looked currently

1. Chamundi / Dhurgai / Kali - for black

2. Nilambigai / Parvathi - Blue

3. Pachai amman / Valli / kowmari - Green

4. Lakshmi/ Narayani / vaishnavi - Red or Orange

5. Ponnambal / varahi - Golden yellow

6. Sarswathi / Indrani - White

7. Gangai Amman / Brahmi / brahmam - Transparent or colorless

Saptha Kanni Koil in Tamilnadu

Equivalently for men its 7 (Ezhu) Muni 

1. Karumuni
2. Jadamuni
3. Maha muni
4. Chem muni
5. Wayu muni
6. Thava muni
7. Sivamuni

Ezhu (7) Muni temple in Tamilnadu

In the images, you can see, not only the colors are almost maintained until today, even the different stages of life for male and female is differentiated by the height of each deities.

The concept of seven continues to be applied in many aspects of human life. For instance, the number of days in a week is 7, music (saptha swarangal) is 7, rainbow colors are 7, and so on. It would be fascinating to learn the reasoning behind these colours' selection, as well as why these colours were picked over others. To comprehend this, we must first understand how human beings would have evolved and civilization emerged.

Initially, primitive people would have learned everything solely by observation. They would have observed how animals behave and live, and they would have begun to act similarly; they would have observed how animals eat, and they would have begun to eat fruits and vegetables; they would have observed how animals heal themselves by using natural herbs in the forest, and they would have used the same to heal their wounds; they would have been attacked by some animals, and they would have learned self defense; they would have listened how the birds and animals make sounds, and they would have started to make noise, which finally would have developed to speak, form letters and finally to a language.

Similarly, the concept of colour originated as a result of human observations. Having said that, the primitive humans who lived on high areas, because living in the forest is dangerous because they are vulnerable to animal attacks at night. As a result, they would have begun to stay at a higher elevation, such as a hilly terrain or mountains, in order to have a clear view of any animals that might attack them.

And it is known that they would have lived in small groups, with one person in each group who would have been observing well among others, and that particular man would have evolved over time to become the first Siddhar or community leader, who would have transformed into a godly figure after his death.

The Siddhar or Rishi were generally accomplished in almost every element of life, including medicine, siddhi methods, and self-defense. As a result, the person responsible for selecting these colour schemes could very well be a wise and knowledgeable individual. Now that you've grasped this, let's move on to the colour concept.

Assume you are a primitive person living in those days, you are sleeping, and all you see is darkness and black. When you open your eyes (those days in the mountain or hilly area), you see the blue sky first, followed by the green trees and plants, and as the sun rises, a red light begins to spread, resulting in the colour red, and as the sun shines, it turns to golden yellow. The sun turns white as it begins to shine strongly. The ultimate step depicts Transparency, which represents the Siddhar as an elevated soul or as someone who has achieved siddhi or Nirvana. The picture below reflects the above concept.

Bodhi Dharmar, a Rishi or Assevaga Siddhar who travelled to China from Kanchipuram, was known as the first guru in teaching martial techniques to the Chinese, one of which being Karate. The belt colour, which is identical to the Assevagam colour concept but upside down, uses the same seven colours to indicate the proficiency levels in Karate. In Karate, the highest grade is Black, while the lowest grade is White.

We could go on and on about how the number 7 was utilised in Assevagam, which was the way of life (cultre) followed by Tamils in the early days. Many other cultures use the same seven saptha Kanni/Rishi concept. One of the Indus Valley civilization's discoveries is shown below.

7 Girls standing found in Indus valley civilization (Saptha Kannigal)

Found in Indus valley Civilization - Comb has seven Edges

This emphasises that Indus Valley Civilization could have been Tamil Civilization, and we have already seen in my previous post  (click here to read) that there is a link between Nagas, Rakshas, and Yaksha communities, who are the Indigenous people of Tamil who lived in north India, through Ramanyanam and Mahabharatham.

Not just in Indian civilization; other civilizations have it as well. It could very well represent the continuation of Tamil civilization by Tamils who would have fled to those areas due to natural disaster.

The Eastern Island, which is located near South America in the South Pacific Ocean, has seven human faces carved into monolithic stone statues.

EASTER ISLAND

EASTERN ISLAND

This is known as moai (sounds moo wai) facing the sea, Mo Wai could be the tamil name Mugavai in tamil, meaning (a place for entrance). There is another set of statues which is called  Aringa Ora, could have been the transformed tamil name of Aringar uruvam. Also take note in easten Island the priest name is Ariki which could have been the word transformed from the same tamil word Aringar (another name for siddhar or a person with more knowledge in tamil). Another statue is called Vai Mata which could have been transformed from the tamil word wai mata (muga wai mata - meaning goddess for entrance)

In some civilization this saptha (7) concept is viewed as 7 demons and 7 devils too. Proper researches have to be done on those civilization on why these 7 images who are treated as god and holy images in one civilization are been treated as demons and devils in other civilization. It could well be an agenda to destroy the history behind it.

Seven Devils called in Babylonian

Seven Demons in Bronze Bell

Having talked about destruction, lets see how this concept of Saptha Kanni and number 7 have been handled in Sanskrit (Gods Language), where Tamil is also part of the same Civilization.

Sanskrit

Please keep in mind that the Saptha Kanni temple can only be located in Tamil Nadu, and even there, it is hidden from the people and shown with terrifying faces and weapons in a terrifying atmosphere.

Sabtha Kanni's appear in the Rig Veda multiple times, each time with a different name and meaning, and the most of them are myths and narrative types. They have constructed several items based on the concept of 7, mostly to establish a relationship with the Tamil Assevagam in a variety of ways, allowing them to claim that the number 7 is also associated with the Sansrikt form of Hinduism. Mainly because of the fact that it is not associated with only one aspect of life, but at different aspects of human life. So its very difficult to ignore it completely. But when you deeply study those, one can understand that they have created mainly not just to confuse the followers of Hinduism but also to defame the popularity that brings to this number 7 and Tamil Saptha kanni & Rishis concept. They took the word Rishi, and created another set of 7 Rishi's and named the Tamil 7 gods as Muni.

They have named 7 different names for the rishi's who were created by Lord Brahma, to help in the creation of life in the world, and when you look at the source of these people, like to who they are born, it would neither be unknown or they would have said, they are born to sun, moon, came from Agni, came from earth etc.,

They have used the number 7 in many areas, example, seven horses used at the chariot of Sun God and also by Lord Krishna and Arjuna Chariots, Brihasbathi has 7 mouths (remember Mo ai at eastern island), 7 priest at the sacrifice places, 7 rays of sun, (if they would have used it rainbow also its logic, but how they could say the sun has 7 rays, not known), seven castles of aerial demons destroyed by lord Indra, Seven tongues/rays for the flames of holy Agni, 7 races of human being and so on. In general more than the good image, they have linked to bad images and description only.

As we've seen, Aseevagam values both men and women equally, if not more so, which is why many Tamil names for holy rivers, such as Gangai, Yamunai, Kaveri and Saraswathi, pertain to feminine names. Tamil is referred as "Tamil Thai". Bharthiyar has referred to Tamil and all Indian languages as female genders alone, such as "Seppu Mozhi Padhinetu Udayaal" and "Bharatha Matha".

Let's look at how the feminine genders were treated in sanskrit. Let us begin with Hindism's two great epic literatures. The Ramayana comes first. From Dasaratha's 1000 wives to Sita, the so-called Matha, being required to prove her virginity, she was never lived as a queen, even after Ravana was killed. The date of Sita's birth is likewise uncertain. Basically, Janagan discovers her while ploughing. (Do not ask, why a king ploughed.) 

Rama was not even born to King Dasaratha; he was born just after the Ashwametha yagam was performed. I'm not going to discuss what Aswemetha yagam is or how it's carried out. Those who are curious should conduct their own research. It's incredibly vulguar to me, and my head and heart aren't allowing me to articulate the exact description stated in the Valmiki Ramayana texts. Take note that most scripts written after the Valmiki Ramayana simply state that he was born to Kousalya and Dasaratha. Enough for Ramayana now

The tale of how 100 kauravas were born in Mahabharatha is well-known, so I won't go into detail. Panjali is Pandva's only wife. When it comes to their parents, Panjali was born to Lord Agni. And Drithirastran wife Gandhari tied her eyes because her husband was blind. I don't get the so-called pathibakthi here; if your spouse is crippled, the other spouse should compensate for the missing organs and support him/her instead of saying, "Oh, my husband doesn't have eyes, so I won't see either." Is this a wise decision? Thankfully, unlike Kannapa Nayanar, the story created by Indo Aryans, she did not put her hands in and pull her eyeballs out and throw them away. At the very least, we can say sabash to Gandhari in that sense. There are numerous examples in Mahabhartha, but discussing them all would keep me from finishing this post.

Read Aringar Anna's Kamba rasam, in which he explains how Kambar used feminine genders to describe various places, which is more vulgur even in a poetical sense. Not just in the Ramayana and Mahabharatha, but also in later periods, Sanskrit has criticised and decreased the value of female participation in numerous areas through Brahminism. Even now, it is widely acknowledged that Brahminism has played a significant part in denying women equal rights in society, as evidenced by the Dravida kazhgam periyar's so-called upholding principles for feminine genders.

Forget about other civilizations with names like "seven demons" and "seven devils." Given that Sanskrit is a language of god (as claimed by Aryan) and Tamil is a part of Indian culture, why has it chosen to destroy and defame the Tamilar way of life and worship instead of complimenting it? What could be their hidden agenda? And why should they treat Tamils this way? as well as their culture and way of life? What harm did the Tamils cause, other than to demonstrate that they belong to ethnic group whose ancestors where the people belong to first human civilization? The only individuals who know the answers are those who have done it.

When we question why, we get a lot of different answers. Then they label us as Tamil terrorists who intended to split Tamilnadu from India, whereas the reality is that Tamils have been victimised, discriminated against, and decimated by Indian power groups from prehistoric times.

 Related post

• Nagargal - Links

Source: Article reference have been taken from many articles, speeches & books of Ma So Victor, Mr Pandian, Wikipedia & Silapathigaram.