Ramayana

In a recent lecture, Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji of Puthige Matha (Udupi) indicated that the two ithihasas (epics) have an underlying numeric theme that ties a lot of the key aspects of the epic together. As such, the 'secret' code for Ramayana is the number 7.

The references can be found in the following ways inside Ramayana (among numerous other references).

• Rama was asked to go into the forest for 14 ( 7 * 2) years
• 7 chapters (kAnda) are there in Ramayana
• Rama's birth star is punarvasu (7th star in the astrological chart
• The word Rama (रामा), using a simple numeric scheme (number 1 to 5 for the Sanskrit characters as listed in the standard format) comes to 2 + 5 = 7.
• The word Ramayana (राम + अयन) comes to 2 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 5 = 14.
• The war between Rama and Ravana lasted for 7 days
• Rama is the 7th avatar of Lord Vishnu 
• To prove his valor to Sugreeva, Rama shoots an arrow that pierces 7 trees in one shot