Hinduism’s unique worship of snakes: Nag Devata

Unravelling the depths of Hinduism or Sanatana Dharma

Hinduism or Sanatana Dharma is a most unique religion that encompasses within its belief pattern, Gods and Goddesses, supernatural beings, spirits, saints, philosophers, birds, animals, including those that live underground. The underlying belief is that the Almighty resides in every living and non-living entity. It is a vast canvas that includes – “There are 900,000 species living in the water. There are also 2,000,000 non-moving living entities (sthāvara) such as trees and plants. There are also 1,100,000 species of insects and reptiles, and there are 1,000,000 species of birds. As far as quadrupeds are concerned there are 3,000,000 varieties, and there are 400,000 human species.”[1]

Karma determines, which soul, will assume which form, when, where, and why. The repeated cycles of birth and death involve assuming different kinds of birth. This belief thus reinforces the unity of all living beings as well as the medium and terrain, in which they live. This also generates respect for every life form, irrespective of its size, proportion, shape, abilities, and limitations.

Nag Devata worship, also known as serpent worship or Ophiolatry, is a significant practice in Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist traditions. The worship of the Nag Devata, or serpent deities, is centered around the belief that snakes are guardians of the earth and protectors of the underworld. Devotees seek the blessings of the Nag Devata for protection from disease, snakebites, and other misfortunes.

In the Mahabharata the history of the Naga race is elaborated in the – ADIPARVA – the Shlokas 657 to 2197 are devoted to the history of the origin of the Nagas and their progeny. Nagas are considered fertility deities and childless couples perform rituals to them for child boons. Believed to be Gods of the earth, farmers pray to them for good harvests, adequate rain, protection from drought and natural calamities, and overall prosperity. Among snakes, it is the Naga, the cobra in particular that is worshiped in large parts of India. Even today, Indian women desirous of begetting offspring do worship Naga. Killing or even harming a Naga (cobra) is dreaded as the deadliest of the sins. It is feared that the wrath of the serpents would haunt generation after generation.

It is in the Vaishnava tradition that the serpent occupies a position of great significance. The Agamas mention eight lords of the Nagas; the chief of these being Ananta, Sesha, or Adi-Sesha. It is the Ananta, representing timelessness, on which the Lord Vishnu reposes. It was with the assistance of Vasuki the King of Serpents that the ocean was churned; and, Amrit, the elixir, was produced, bestowing immortality on the Gods (Devas). The other seven Nagas mentioned in the Agamas are: Vasuki; Takshaka; Karkotaka; Abja (Padma); Maha-bhuja; Maha-padma; Shankadhara; and, Kulika.

The life of King Parikshit who was the son of Abhimanyu and Uttara, and the grandson of Arjuna, is narrated in the Mahabharata. Parikshit was married to Madravati. Once while in the forest he approached a sage, for water and food. However, the meditating sage did not respond. Angered, Parikshit picked up a dead snake and draped it around the sage’s neck. The sage’s son is named Gavijāta (In many places the name Shringi is used for Gavijāta). cursed Parikshit, and said that he would die due to a bite by the snake Takshaka. Given a week to live, Parikshit asked sage Suka to narrate Krishna’s exploits and thus was born Shrimad Bhagavatam. At the end of the week, Takshaka bit him and Parikshit died. Historically, the Mahabharata battle was fought in the year 3138 B.C. Dharmaputra ruled for 36 years and so Parikshit must have taken charge as king in 3102 B.C. Parikshit ruled for 60 years and thereafter his son Janamejaya became king in 3042 B.C. It was this Janamejaya who conducted the famous Sarpasatra Yajna – the serpent sacrifice, meant to wipe out the entire Naga race. However, the Yajna was discarded due to the intervention of Manasa Devi the Goddess of Snakes. The day happened to be, according to the Hindu calendar, Nadivardhini Panchami (the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of the Shraavana during the monsoon season). Hence this day is known as Nag Panchami. Snakes and cobras are worshipped on this day by lighting lamps, and offering milk, sweets, and flowers to them. Interestingly, the flag used by King Janamejaya, depicts a snake, as it represents rebirth, death, and mortality, due to its casting of its skin and being symbolically “reborn“.

In South India, it is a common practice that women desiring to bear children set up Naga-stone-images (Naga shila). Numerous temples in South India are dedicated to Snake-gods (Naga Devata). There are also special forest reserves for the Nagas (Naga-Vana or Sarpa Kavu). The Nair community of Kerala are Nagavamshis or warriors following the serpent cult. Naga worship among Nairs is widespread. Each Nair Tharavad or household had a separate place for Sarpa Kavu or a sacred grove dedicated to Nagas. Nair women also wore Naga-pada-thali or necklace with amulets in the shape of a cobra hood; and, also tied their hair into the front as a bun symbolizing the hood of a cobra. This is believed to be due to their affinity with the Naga serpent cult of the Nagavamshis.

In Tulu-Nadu (comprising Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts of Karnataka and the Kasaragod region of Kerala) there is a special place for Naga worship, in Temples and houses. Before the commencement of any auspicious program, the first Pooja is to the Naga Devata; and, then only to other deities. Bunts of Tulu-Nadu belong to the Nagavanshi clan. In each Bunt-Tharavad or household, there is a Naga-Bana. For the Tuluvas, Naga worship is most important, as Naga is the patron deity of Tuluvas. Many rituals like Ashlesha Bali, Dakke Bali, Sarpa Samskara, and Nagamandala are practiced. The practice of worshipping Nagas is called Nagaradhane.

In South India, Naga is identified with Skanda or Lord Subramanya. The sixth day of the lunar month Shashti is regarded particularly sacred for the worship of Subramanya. There are countless temples of Lord Subramanya in South India. The Kukke Subramanya Temple, in Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka is renowned, as Lord Karthikeya or Subramanya is worshipped as lord of all serpents in this temple.

The Naga-dosha or Sarpa-dosha is a common affliction, identified by astrologers as a sign of the wrath of serpents. Seeing snakes in dreams, contracting skin diseases, chronic ill-health, facing severe accidents, delay in marriage, childlessness, abortions, and lack of prosperity and well-being, are often identified as symptoms, indicative of the displeasure of Serpents.

Ashlesha (Sanskrit: आश्लेषा) also known as Ayilyam in Tamil and Malayalam is the 8th of the 27 nakshatras or stars in Hindu astrology. Ashlesha is also known as the Clinging Star or Nāga. This nakshatra’s symbol is a coiled serpent. Lord Sri Rama’s brothers Lakshmana and Shatrughna, were born under this Nakshatra.

Snakes are symbolically related to Astrological formations. The planet Rahu is identified with the head of the snake; while Kethu is identified with the snake’s tail. When all the planets in the horoscope chart fall in between these two, then it is said to give rise to the inauspicious Kaala Sarpa Dosha.

The Kaalsarpa-dosha is formed when Rahu and Ketu are present on one side of the horoscope and all other planets are trapped inside. There are 12 types of Kaalsarpa-doshas in astrology. Kaalsarpa dosh is a result of one’s past deeds or karma. The presence of this dosha in the horoscope may create hurdles and delays across different aspects of life such as career, love, marriage, and health.

The above astrological inferences are based on the fact that humans share an intriguing relationship with snakes. The hearts of humans and snakes pump blood in the same circulatory pattern. In the respiratory system, both snakes and humans have one set of lungs and one windpipe. Rattlesnakes and humans share many of the same genes. At the molecular level, both humans and snakes rely on DNA to build life. Curious snake-like forms have been spotted in human cells. Male sperms closely resemble snakes in appearance and movement. The umbilical cord of humans resembles a snake. Scientists have found that babies are very good at detecting snakes and have a strong tendency to become afraid of snakes even if they just look at negative pictures of snakes in the media.

The Kundalini energy referred to in Yoga is conceptualized as a serpent.

The medical profession uses two serpents as its symbol.

Nag Panchami is a day of traditional worship of Nagas or snakes observed by Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists throughout the world. The worship is offered on the fifth day of the bright half of lunar month of Shravan, according to the Hindu calendar. The Naga puja is performed to appease Nagas that one may have offended, or to please Nagas that are active in areas where one wishes to live, work, or conduct business, particularly for construction and development projects. Red Hibiscus flowers are used for worshipping Nagas.

The Naga Chaturthi or Nagula Chavithi is observed in Andhra Pradesh on the 4th day after Amavasya in Kartik month (October-November) month. It is a 3-day event: the first day is Nagula Chavithi, the second day is Nag Panchami and the third day is Naga Shashti.

The Naga Bandhana or Naga Pasam is an ancient technique to protect valuable treasures, in Temples, with the help of Nagas (the Serpents). It is a lock that can be unlocked only by the sound waves produced by the Garuda Mantra. It is a highly secretive technique.

There are innumerable prayers dedicated to serpent worship, notably, Sri Subramanya Ashtottara Sata Namavali, Sri Naga Devata Ashtottara Sata Namavali, Sri Naga Namavali, Naga Devata Mantra, Sarpa Gayatri Mantra, Naga Moola Mantra, Naga Bandha Mantra, Naga Pasam Mantra to be recited only by a powerful Sadhu, Naga Kavacham and Vasuki Gayatri Mantra.

Hinduism or Sanatana Dharma stands apart, from all other belief systems, in its identification of other living beings, as being critical for human welfare and spiritual progression. Interestingly, 2025 will be the year of the snake as per the Chinese zodiac.

Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

Reference:

[1] The Original Teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada – Prabhupada Books

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