The Universe is revealed as an expression of Seven fold nature.
Man is a miniature Universe called Pinda-anda (Micro cosmos). He is built on essentially the same pattern as the Brahmanda (Macro cosmos).

The Vedas declare that the whole creation is created under “The Law of Seven”. The five lower elementary substances called the Pancha Bhutas and the two higher spiritual principles together constitute the Seven dimensions of the Universe.

The pancha butas are

Prithvi - The earth element which is equivalent to the Solid state
Jala - The water element equaivalent to the Liquid condition
Vayu - The gaseous state ( or the Vayu state)
Agni - The fiery condition (combustion or transformation) equivalent to the heat principle
Akasha - The etheric principle of subtle vibratory state of “pranic energy”.

They are five different states of “matter-energy” – descending in an ordered de-evolution from the Supreme Absolute, downwards from Akasha.
The mind and prana principles in a man too have their equivalents in the world outside, thus containing a seven-fold macro cosmos, a greater replica of man.

Modern science has discovered that the so called 98 elements fall into seven grades based on atomic structure. This is called the Periodic Table of elements.

Sir Newton discovered that the white light of Sun comprised of Seven different colours of the spectrum. We find it expressed in the Seven colours of the rainbow, known to science as the “solar spectrum”.

Even Man is a seven-fold oganisation, taught by the Vedas several thousands of years ago ! Yoga teaches that the man has seven charkas in his “subtle body”, starting from the crown centre downwards.

The Law of Seven operates in the Universe in its Time Cycles as well. We are now running the seventh manvantara or the last of the first cycle of seven cosmic periods.

Man’s life is ruled by the “law of Seven”. The seven day week begins with “sun” and ends with “Saturn”.

The life of a human being develops through seven cycles, each of which is denoted by the planetary periods in the order of the seven day week.

1 – This period is ruled by the sun (Sunday). Here, human soul is in the process of “descending into the body” into the mother’s womb and undergoes nine months of embryonic development. This period may be called the cycle of “origin”.

2 – This is the period of infancy. The second cycle is ruled by the moon (like Monday). It begins with the child’s birth. Moon signifying the mother pinciple in nature, this cycle is marked by total dependence on the mother as moon is attached to the earth.

3 – Mars (Tuesday) rules the third cycle. Dependence on the mother ends and aggressive individualistic period begins. This is the period of peer pessue. Mars denotes competition and this period denotes growth of the competitive spirit.

4 – In the fourth cycle denoted by Mercury ( Wednesday) , there is a rise of the intellect and the mind. Here there is remarkable speeding up of the growth of the brain and mental faculties are unfolded.
The ritual of the initiaion of Gayathri Mantra , called the “second birth” was done at this stage. This period begins from 7 to 9 years.

5 – The cycle of Jupiter (Thursday) is the period of greatest spiritual growth. The teenager becomes an adult. Maturity both of mind and sexual maturity begin to mark the appearance of Manhood (womanhood)

6 – The sixth cycle ruled by Venus (Friday) marks the sexually active period in the life. Marriage takes place, Venus being the planet of Love and Romance. The keynote of this cycle is, he will produce good offsprings.

7 – The seventh cycle of Saturn (Saturday) marks the end of sexual activity.. In this last phase he gives up selfishness and lives for the mankind. He gives the best to mankind and shares his experiences towards making the humanity into a stronger new generation..

Thus the seven planetary cycles of Man’s development are equivalent to the seven cycles of cosmic development.

There are many more phenomena like sapta swaras in music, saptha lokas, sapta mathas in puranas and a few more, which I am not dealing with here !

Love,
Chithra.