In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Saptapada (सप्तपद) refers to the “seven steps” (of the Buddha), according to  the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 1.—Accordingly: At the time of his birth, the Buddha came down to the earth, took seven steps (saptapada) and spoke some words, then was silent. Like all infants, he does not walk and does not talk; he suckles milk for three years; nurses feed him and he grows slowly. However the body of the Buddha is incalculable and surpasses all the worlds. But he appears to beings as an ordinary man. [...]

Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā

Saptapada (सप्तपद) refers to the “seven steps”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, as the Lord said to Gaganagañja: “[...] Even though one makes endless offerings as numerous as mustard seeds, if anybody makes the seven steps (saptapada), taking pleasure in and enduring the dharma without any hostility towards all beings, he will generate a lot more merit. Even though one [accomplishes the works of] Indras, Brahmās, universal kings and Bodhisattvas as numerous as mustard seeds, if anybody, who knows that all conditioned things are impermanent and suffering, who understands that extinction is calm, engenders the great compassion for all beings, and produces the thought of incomparable complete awakening for the sake of keeping the succession of the three jewels unbroken, then he will generate a lot more merit”.

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Sāptapada (साप्तपद).—a.

1) (-dī f.), [sāptapadīna] a. [cf. P.V.2.22] Formed by walking together seven steps, or by talking together seven words; यतः सतां संनतगात्रि संगतं मनी- षिभिः साप्तपदीनमुच्यते (yataḥ satāṃ saṃnatagātri saṃgataṃ manī- ṣibhiḥ sāptapadīnamucyate) Kumārasambhava 5.39 (where the latter sense appears better); सतां साप्तपदं मैत्रमित्याहुर्विबुधा जनाः (satāṃ sāptapadaṃ maitramityāhurvibudhā janāḥ) Pañcatantra (Bombay) 2.43; 4.13.

-dam, -dīnam 1 Circumambulation of the nuptial fire by the bride and bridegroom in seven steps (which makes the marriage tie irrevocable).

2) Friendship, intimacy.

See also (synonyms): sāptapadīna.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Sāptapada (साप्तपद).—i. e. saptan-pada + a, adj. Produced by seven steps (walked together), [Pañcatantra] ii. [distich] 47; [Sāvitryupākhyāna] 5, 22.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Saptapada (सप्तपद).—([feminine] padī & ā) making seven steps (to close an alliance, a marriage, etc.).

--- OR ---

Sāptapada (साप्तपद).—[adjective] belonging to the seven steps (cf. saptapad); true, sincere.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Saptapada (सप्तपद):—[=sapta-pada] [from sapta > saptan] mf(ā)n. making the 7 steps (described above), [Atharva-veda; Pāraskara-gṛhya-sūtra]

2) [v.s. ...] consisting of 7 Pādas, [Taittirīya-saṃhitā; Brāhmaṇa] etc.

3) Sāptapada (साप्तपद):—[=sāpta-pada] [from sāpta] mfn. ([from] sapta-pada) belonging to seven steps, based or depending on seven steps (= ‘sincere’, ‘true’), [Mahābhārata; Pañcatantra; Brahma-purāṇa]

[Sanskrit to German]

Saptapada in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Pada, Sapta, Pata.

Starts with: Saptapadartha, Saptapadarthacandrika, Saptapadarthanirupana, Saptapadarthi, Saptapadarthitika, Saptapadarthivyakhya.

Full-text: Saptapadina, Maitrya, Saptapadarthi, Saptapadarthanirupana, Saptapadarthivyakhya, Saptapadarthacandrika, Saptapadarthitika, Saptapadikarana, Saptapadi, Anupaccheda, Upacchedana, Upaccheda, Anupacchedana, Padavinyasa.

Relevant text

Search found 4 books and stories containing Saptapada, Sapta-pada, Sāpta-pada, Saptan-pada, Sāptapada; (plurals include: Saptapadas, padas, Sāptapadas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Amarakoshodghatana of Kshirasvamin (study) (by A. Yamuna Devi)

Politics and Administration (1): The State requisites of regal administration < [Chapter 3 - Social Aspects]

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The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)

Chapter 225 - Greatness of Anarakeśvara (Anaraka-īśvara) < [Section 1 - Prabhāsa-kṣetra-māhātmya]

Chapter 8 - Prākārakarṇa’s Story < [Section 2 - Kaumārikā-khaṇḍa]

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The Brahmanda Purana (by G.V. Tagare)

Chapter 30 - Lamentation of Reṇukā < [Section 3 - Upodghāta-pāda]

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Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)

Part 1 - For what reasons did the Buddha preach Mahāprajñāpāramitāsūtra? < [Chapter I - Explanation of Arguments]

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