Sapta is number seven and Chiranjeevis are those who have perpetual existence, living long and far. Often these are those who are entrusted with the special macro tasks of building the required ecosystem or guiding the larger masses across time and space zones. This list includes Ashwathama, Bali, Vyasa, Hanuman, Vibheeshana, Krupa, and Parashurama.
Ashwathama was the only son of Drona who was the Guru of nextgen of Kuru dynasty. Ashwathama was on pilgrimage and Kurukshetra war got over. Upon return, he met injured Duryodhana. Revenge was promised and surreptitiously ‘Upa+Pandavas’ were beheaded by him. Ashwathama was humiliated and sent away unhurt. He is supposed to live long in penance.
Bali was the grandson of Prahlada, Virochana’s son. Bali made Indra vacate and occupied the seat of power. Vishnu in a disguised form of Vamana seeks the donation of three feet of land, assumes the form of ‘Tri-Vikrama’, and sent Bali to the Patala Loka as downward haven.
Vyasa was the son of Parashara through Satyavati. He codified then existing knowledge and classified into different Vedas. Hence, he has been called as ‘Veda-Vyasa’. He delivered Sri Mahabharata of a lakh shlokas. Bhagavata Purana was revealed by him and his son Shuka Acharya did first Bhagavata Saptaha to Parikshit.
Hanuman is widely known as the key person in the Ramayana and played a critical role of finding out the place of Mother Sita by going to Lanka. Brother of Lanka’s king and later siding with Sri Rama was Vibhishana. When ‘avatara samapti’ of Sri Rama happened, Hanuman was asked to continue and protect needy devotees.
Krupa Acharya was the great scholar based at the court of Kuru dynasty. He encouraged Drona who was his brother-in-law to be employed at court to teach nextgen. Krupacharya is reportedly to be here for a long time. The last of the seven is ‘Parashu’ carrying Rama, son of Jamadagni, who is reportedly the avatara of Vishnu himself. He cleansed the world of his time of negativity and toxicity. He crossed paths with Sri Rama, realised that self’s active phase came to an end, and committed to isolated Sadhana.
These Sapta Chiranjeevis demonstrated great qualities of sadhana, devotion to divine, and supporting the needy seekers. We have instances for unconditional help and guidance.
Dr S Ainavolu is a Mumbai-based teacher of Management and Tradition. Intent is nextgen’s learning and cultural education
