India as Known to Panini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashtadhyayi c8.s5.29

c8.s5.29

Friendship is called *sāpta-padīna* because it is accomplished through "Seven Steps" (*sapta-pada*). In the *Atharva-veda*, Atharvā calls Varuṇa his *sapta-pada* friend, and Varuṇa pleased with the insight of Atharvā and his consequent fitness to keep the Pṛiśni cow reciprocates the same sentiment (*Atharva*, V.11.9, 10). The *Mahābhārata* also repeats the conception of *sāpta-pada* friendship (Vanaparva, 260.35; 297.23). We find the full explanation of *sāpta-pada* in the *Saptapadī* ritual of marriage as given in the *Gṛihya Sūtras* where the bridegroom makes the bride his *saptapadī* friend¹ by repeating seven formulas beginning with *Isha* and *Ūrja*. The conception symbolised by the outer form of taking 'seven steps' appears to be very old, since the *Ṛigveda* also mentions Agni milking the *Isha* and the *Ūrja* for the *Saptapadī* (*Ṛig*. VIII.72.16). Originally the *saptapadī* friendship was perfected round the fire; later the phrase assumed a figurative sense. (Cf. Vālmīki *Rāmāyaṇa* describing the friendship of Rāma with Sugrīva as *agni-sākshika*, Kish. 8.4).