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Sapta Sagara – Seven Seas in Hinduism

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As per Hindu Puranas, Bhuloka or earth divided into sapta dwipa or seven continents and the gap between these seven continents was filled by the Sapta Sagara or Seven seas. The details regarding the Sapta Sagara are found in the Skanda Purana and Bhagavad Purana. The liquid content of the seven seas are different. The seven seas are made of saline water, milk, wine, curd, ghee, sugarcane and sweet water.

The first island Jambudvipa is surrounded by saline water.

The second island is the Saka Dwipa and is surrounded by Kshirasagara, the sea of milk.

The third island is the Pushkara Dwipa and is surrounded by Surasagara, the sea of wine.

The fourth island is Kusha Dwipa surrounded by Dahi Sagara, sea of curd

The fifth island is Kraunchadwipa surrounded by Ghrtasagara, sea of ghee

The sixth island is Salma Dwipa surrounded by Ikshurasagara, sea of sugarcane juice.

The seventh island is Gomeda Dwipa and is surrounded by sweetwater.

In Hindu cosmology, the earth (Bhuloka) is intricately described in the Puranas as divided into seven major land masses or continents, known as "Saptadwipa." These continents are separated by seven distinct oceans, collectively referred to as "Sapta Sagara" or the Seven Seas. The Skanda Purana and Bhagavad Purana provide detailed accounts of these geographical and cosmological features, emphasizing the unique qualities and compositions of each sea. Below is an expanded description of the Sapta Sagara and the associated Sapta Dwipa:

  1. Jambudvipa:

    • Surrounding Sea: Lavana Sagara (Sea of Salt/Saltwater)
    • Details: Jambudvipa is considered the central and most important continent in Hindu cosmology. It is often depicted as having a lotus shape with Mount Meru at its center, which is believed to be the axis mundi or cosmic axis.

  2. Saka Dwipa:

    • Surrounding Sea: Kshira Sagara (Sea of Milk)
    • Details: Saka Dwipa is characterized by its association with the sea of milk. This sea is often linked with the milky ocean of the mythological tale of the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), from which the divine nectar (Amrita) emerged.

  3. Pushkara Dwipa:

    • Surrounding Sea: Surasagara (Sea of Wine)
    • Details: Pushkara Dwipa is surrounded by a sea of wine, symbolizing abundance and prosperity. Wine in Hindu texts can also represent divine intoxication and bliss.

  4. Kusha Dwipa:

    • Surrounding Sea: Dahi Sagara (Sea of Curd/Yogurt)
    • Details: Kusha Dwipa, enveloped by a sea of curd, signifies nourishment and fertility. Curd is a staple in Vedic rituals and daily consumption, symbolizing health and vitality.

  5. Krauncha Dweepa:

    • Surrounding Sea: Ghrta Sagara (Sea of Ghee/Clarified Butter)
    • Details: Krauncha Dweepa, with its surrounding sea of ghee, represents purity and sanctity. Ghee is essential in Hindu religious ceremonies (yajnas) and daily rituals.

  6. Salma Dwipa:

    • Surrounding Sea: Ikshura Sagara (Sea of Sugarcane Juice)
    • Details: Salma Dwipa is encircled by a sea of sugarcane juice, symbolizing sweetness and the pleasures of life. Sugarcane is a significant agricultural product in India, associated with festivity and enjoyment.

  7. Gomeda Dwipa:

    • Surrounding Sea: Suddhodaka Sagara (Sea of Sweet Water/Freshwater)
    • Details: Gomeda Dwipa, surrounded by sweet water, highlights the importance of pure and life-sustaining water. Freshwater is vital for survival and is revered in Hinduism through various deities and sacred rivers.

Symbolism and Cultural Significance:

  • Cosmic Representation: The Sapta Dwipa and Sapta Sagara are not just physical entities but represent a cosmic order and spiritual symbolism. They reflect the intricate relationship between nature, the divine, and human life.
  • Churning of the Ocean (Samudra Manthan): Many of these seas are tied to the mythological story of the churning of the ocean, which produced various divine entities and objects, including Amrita (nectar of immortality), Lakshmi (goddess of wealth), and Kamadhenu (the wish-fulfilling cow).
  • Rituals and Daily Life: The different elements (milk, curd, ghee, etc.) surrounding the continents are integral to Hindu rituals and daily practices, emphasizing their sacredness and practical significance.

The concept of Sapta Dwipa and Sapta Sagara offers a rich tapestry of mythology, spirituality, and cosmology in Hinduism. These continents and their surrounding seas are more than geographical constructs; they embody deep religious and philosophical meanings that have been woven into the cultural and spiritual fabric of Hindu tradition.