सप्तजनाश्रम

{ saptajanāśrama }

Puranic Encyclopaedia

SAPTAJANĀŚRAMA   A holy place where seven hermits called the Saptajanas, went to heaven by standing head downwards in water. This was the place through which Śrī Rāma and Sugrīva went to Kiṣkindhā. Sugrīva told Śrī Rāma about the hermitage of Saptajanas as follows: “Oh! Rāghava! This vast area is the hermitage where rest could be taken, as sweet fruits and pure water could be obtained and the forest looks like a garden. Here the seven hermits called Saptajanas, who did penance and took vow and fast by standing in water always, with heads downwards, did live in days of old.” [Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Kiṣkindhā Kāṇḍa, Sarga 13] .