Saptaganga

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Saptaganga (सप्तगंगा) refers to the “seven holy Gaṅgas” according to Śivapurāṇa 1.15. The seven holy Gaṅgās are Gaṅgā, Godāvarī, Kaveri, Tamraparni, Sindhu, Sarayu and Narmada.

Variants

• Saptaganga सप्तगंगा (AS, p.933)
• Sapta Ganga सप्तगंगा
• Saptagaṅgā (सप्तगङ्गा)

History

Saptagaṅgā (सप्तगङ्गा) refers to the “seven holy Gaṅgas” according to Śivapurāṇa 1.15. Accordingly, regarding the benefit in the rites of Devayajña:—“[...] a temple, the bank of a holy tank, the bank of an ordinary river, the bank of a holy river and the banks of the seven holy Gaṅgās (saptagaṅgā) are each of ten times more benefit than the previous. The seven holy Gaṅgās are Gaṅgā, Godāvarī, Kāverī, Tāmraparṇikā, Sindhu, Sarayū and Revā. The shores of the sea are of ten times more benefit than the previous. The summit of a mountain is of ten times more benefit than the shores of the sea”.

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Saptagaṅga (सप्तगङ्ग).—An ancient holy place. It is mentioned in Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 25, Verse 16, that if one goes to this place and gives offerings to gods and the manes and worships them, one would attain heaven and become a deva (god).

Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places

Saptagaṅga (सप्तगङ्ग) refers to the name of a Tīrtha (pilgrim’s destination) mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. III.82.25).

Reference: https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/saptaganga

In Mahabharata

Saptaganga (सप्तगङ्ग) (Tirtha) in Mahabharata (III.82.25), (XIII.26.15)

Vana Parva, Mahabharata/Book III Chapter 82 mentions names Pilgrims. Saptaganga (सप्तगङ्ग) (Tirtha) is mentioned in Mahabharata (III.82.25)...... By offering oblations of water duly to the gods and the Pitris, at Saptaganga (सप्तगङ्ग) (III.82.25), Triganga (त्रिगङ्ग) (III.82.25) and Sakravarta (शक्रावर्त) (III.82.25), (which are all there), becometh adored in the regions of the virtuous. Bathing next at Kanakhala (कनखल) (III.82.26), and fasting there for three nights, a person reapeth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and goeth to heaven.

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Anusasana Parva/Book XIII Chapter 26 mentions the sacred waters on the earth. Saptaganga (सप्तगङ्ग) (Tirtha) is mentioned in Mahabharata (XIII.26.15). ....One who gives oblations of water unto one's Pitris at Saptaganga and Triganga and Indramarga, obtains ambrosia for food, if one has still to undergo rebirth.

सप्तगंगा

सप्तगंगा (AS, p.933): शिव पुराण 2,13. गंगा, गोदावरी, कावेरी, ताम्रपर्णी, सिंधु, सरयू और नर्मदा.