|| नागपंचमी ||
|| Nag Panchmi ||
अनन्तं वासुकिं शेषं पद्मनाभं च कम्बलम्।
शङ्खपालं धृतराष्ट्रं च तक्षकं कालियं तथा ।।
Anantam Vasukim Shesham Padmanabham cha Kambalam |
Shankhapalam Dhartarashtram Taxakam Kaliyam Tatha ||
|| नागपंचमी ||
Nag Panchmi is a Hindu festival celebrated all over India with vigor and devotion. It is believed to be one of the most auspicious days of the entire year. This day is dedicated to the worship of snakes. Worshipping forces of nature has been a part of Hinduism from ancient times. Festivals are based on geography, seasons, position of stars, and much more. They are intertwined with stories and legends that add a sense of awe and devotion and firm up ones faith.
::Tithi ::
Shravan Shukla Panchami (Fifth day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Shravan).
:: History ::
The first reference of naga or sarpa or Ahi(h) is found in the Rigveda, First Mandala. Here Ahih is described as the ruler of the entire water world. Indra killed him so that the Earth could get clouds and rain and people could live in peace. The best Vedic reference is available in Sukla Yajurveda: Adhyaya 13, Mantras no 06--10. The Yajur-Veda provides a more definite account of serpent-worship; the Samhita of this Veda contains prayers to the Sarpas who are addressed as denizens of the heavens, the skies, the rays of the sun, the waters, the vegetables and the like. In the Brahmanas of the Samhita part of the Yajur-Veda, invocations are addressed to serpents and sweet sacrifices are offered for their acceptance. In the Atharveda Veda, there is a reference of Sarpa yajna in Kanda 05, Anuvaka 03. These are references of snake worship only. Many scholars have detected traces of snake-worship in the 8th Ashtaka of the Rig Veda, where in the earth is addressed as the Sarpa-rajni or "the queen of the serpents or the queen of all that moves".
Manu, the ancient law-giver of the Hindus also makes mention of the Nagas and the Sarpas.
Carved or painted figures of snakes can be found on the walls of many Hindu temples that exist from the medieval era. Images of snake worship rituals can also be spotted in the world famous Ajanta caves. Detailed description of the cobra snakes can also be seen in the Arthasastra, the classic ancient Hindu political text by the great Hindu philosopher Chanakya (300 BC).
The custom of snake-worship is also believed to have come from the "Naga" clan, a highly developed tribe who lived in ancient India. The Indus Valley civilisation of 3000 B.C. gives ample proof of the popularity of snake-worship amongst the Nagas, whose culture was fairly wide-spread in India.
The mention of the Nagas and the Sarpas is also found in the Mahabharata. In the sacred Hindu text BhagavadGita, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that He is Vasuki amogst Sarpas and Ananta amonst the Nagas.
One needs to keep in mind that Nagapanchami is basically a Pouranic concept. The Hindu Puranas mention Nagas and the Sarpas in detail. In the Bhagavata Purana, Vasuki and eleven other Nagas are mentioned as forming the string of the sun's chariot, one serpent being held to be sacred to each month. The Markandeya Purana embodies the well-known story of the marriage of Madalasa, a Naga princess of superb beauty, with King Kulvalasva.
In all the Puranas, there is a chapter dedicated to creation. Legend has it that, Prajapati Brahma, the creator, created his son 'Kashyapa'. Prajapati Daksha gave many of his daughters in marriage to Sage Kashyapa. His last daughter Kadru gave birth to Nagas and sarpas. Thus the sarpas are of celestial origin.
Reasons for the festival at this time:
To understand the history of the festival, the time of its observance should also be kept in mind. Nagapanchami is observed in the month of Shravana (July/August), the advent of the rainy season in many parts of India. It is the time when snakes leave their holes in the flooded fields and jungles and enter the habitations of men - thereby throwing them into great consternation. It is during this period that the greatest number of deaths from snake-bites occur. The people of the countryside labor under the impression that the only way of obtaining immunity from snakebite is by propitiating the snake-goddess Manasa.
It is also the beginning of the harvest season. In India the reaping of the harvest is largely a manual operation and farmers have to work in the fields, thus exposing themselves to the bites of poisonous snakes lurking unseen among the dense crop. This fear seems to be the main cause for Nagapanchami celebrations. Propitiating the snake god provides some psychological succour to the poor rural folk whose main occupation remains agriculture.
Legends:
1. Story from the Hindu epic Mahabharata)
Once upon a time, a great king Parikshit died due to the bite of a snake called Takshak. To seek revenge of his father's death Janmejay, who is also known as the first ruler of the era of Kalyug performed a Nag Yajna, which would kill all snakes and make the universe free of snakes. Due to this Yajna many snakes died.
Vasuki, the King of the snake, was extremely worried. He went to his sister Jaratkaru and said, "Sister, I feel as if I am burning. I am feeling faint and my resistance to the fire of the Yajna is weakening. I am being pulled towards the fire and I feel that I shall soon be drawn into the fire as well. I was anticipating that such an incident might happen, and hence I got you married to Rishi Jaratkaru. Now, you are the only one who can save us. According to the prophecy of Lord Brahma, only your son Aasteek will be able stop this Yajna. I know that he is still a boy; but he is a great scholar of the Vedas and is loved by all his elders. I request you to ask him to save our lives now, otherwise all the snakes will disappear from earth."
Hearing these words, Jaratkaru went to her son and requested him to save the lives of the snakes. Aasteek went back to Vasuki and said, "O, King of the snakes, do not fear. I shall help you to get rid of the curse. I shall go to King Janmejaya and impress him with my knowledge and request him to stop the yajna."
Thus assuring Vasuki, Aasteek left for the venue of the Yajna. When he reached there he saw all the eminent people sitting there. But he was not allowed to go inside by the sentries. Aasteek then started to sing hymns in praise of the Yajna so that he would be allowed inside.
The sweet voice of Aasteek reached Janmejaya and he gave him permission to attend the Yajna and called him inside the premises. Once inside, Aasteek sang praises of all those who were present there and this pleased the congregation.
Pleased, Janmejaya thought that the boy deserved to granted a wish as he was mature for his age and a great scholar. He asked the advice of the wise sages present there regarding this. All the wise men unanimously declared that since the boy was a brahmin and a scholar at that, he was venerable.
Having obtained the counsel of the wise men, Janmejaya then requested all those learned sages to ensure that his Yajna was successful and that soon Takshak (the snake who had bitten his father, Parikshit), should fall into the fires of the Yajna and die. The wise men at the Yajna told Janmejaya that Takshak had gone to Indra (the King of the Gods) and Indra had promised full protection to Takshak.
Upon hearing this, Janmejaya requested the sages and priests to chant such a powerful mantra that even Indra would be powerless before it and would fall into the fire with Takshak. The priests started chanting the most potent mantras and soon both Takshak along with Indra were pulled towards the fire. Afraid that he would also die, Indra left Takshak to fend for himself. Takshak started to be pulled towards the fire with each passing minute.
Now that Janmejaya was assured that his enemy would die, he turned to Aasteek and requested him to ask for anything that he wished for. Aasteek, seeing that Takshak would soon fall into the fire, took advantage of the situation and asked Janmejaya to stop the Snake Yajna so that the snakes who were left would survive. Janmejaya tried his best to persuade Aasteek to ask for anything other than this. Aasteek was not one to give up easily, he asked Janmejaya to stop the Yajna and also reminded him that he could not refuse what he had promised. He said that he was asking for this because he had to save his mother's clan.
Finally, Janmejaya had to relent and he stopped the Yajna. Meanwhile Aasteek stopped the rapid descent of Takshak towards the fire by chanting counter mantras. Takshak was relieved andd grateful that his life was saved and thanked Aasteek.
Having succeeded, Aasteek then went to Vasuki, his Uncle and Jaratkaru, his mother and narrated the whole incident to them.
Vasuki and the surviving snakes collectively blessed Aasteek and asked him to ask them for a boon. Aasteek said, "I will chant three mantras. I want a boon such that anyone who chants these three mantras at least once a day, should be spared death by a snake bite".
He then chanted the three Mantras called Asit, Aartiman and Suneeth. The snakes granted Aasteek his wish and it is believed that if anyone chants one of these mantras even once a day will have no fear of a snake bite.
The Mantras are as follows:
"Yo Jaratkaruna Jato Jaratkarau Mahayashah;
Aasteekah Sarpsatray vah Pannagaan Yobhyarakshat;
Tam Samarantam mahabhaga na Mam Hinsitumarhatha."
"A great sage called Aasteek was born to Saint Jaratkaru and the snake woman, Jaratkaru. Aasteek saved the snakes from the Snake Yajna. So all of you holy and lucky snakes, I am remembering him. Please do not bite me."
"Sarpapsarpa Bhadram Te Gachcha Sarpa Mahavisha;
Janmejasya Yajnante Aasteeka vachanam Smara."
"Hey, all ye holy and poisonous snakes! Please go away. May you be blessed. Remember all that Aasteek said at the end of the Snake Yajna of Janmejaya and go away now."
"Aasteekasya Vachah Shrutva Yah Sarpo na Nivartate;
shatadha bhidyate Murdhina Shinshavrikshaphalam Yatha."
"The snakes who do not return even after hearing the words of Aasteek, their hoods will be split into hundreds of pieces like the fruit of the Shisham tree"
This is how Aasteek stopped the Snake Yajna and saved the snakes from annihilation.
2. As per Hindu mythology, Prithvi (Earth) is believed to be supported by Sesh Nag (the snake on which god Vishnu sleeps). Therefore the worship of snakes is in gratitude to Sesh Nag.
3. The festival of Nāga Panchami is celebrated by Hindus to pay respect to Nāgas. The five Nāgas worshipped on Nag Panchami are Ananta, Vāsuki, Taxak, Karkotaka and Pingala.
4. Nag Panchami is also connected with the following legend of Krishna One day, young Krishna was playing with the other cowboys, when suddenly the ball got entangled in the high branch of a tree. Krishna volunteered to climb the tree and fetch the ball. But below the tree there was a deep part of the river Yamuna, in which the terrible snake Kaliya was living. Everybody was afraid of that part of the river.
Suddenly, Krishna fell from the tree into the waters. The terrible snake came out ready to attack. But Krishna was ready and jumping on the snake’s head he caught it by the neck. Kaliya understood that Krishna was not an ordinary boy, and that it would not be easy to overcome him. So Kaliya pleaded with Krishna : “Please, do not kill me.” Krishna full of compassion asked the snake to promise that henceforth he would not harass anybody. Then he let the snake go free into the river again.
On Nag Panchami day the victory of Krishna over the Kaliya snake is commemorated. For this reason Krishna is known as “Kaliya Mardan”.
5. 'Nine types of serpents - Anant, Vasuki, Shesh, Padmanabh, Kambal, Shankhapal, Dhartarashtra, Takshak and Kaliya are worshipped. As a result, fear of serpents is overcome and poisoning by venom is prevented.'
6. People believe that Lord Shiva loves and blesses snakes and so by worshipping the snakes they also try to please him.
7. The story of the snake and the farmer: A farmer was ploughing his field. At the edge of the field there was an anthill which he inadvertently destroyed with the plough, and thus the young serpents that were hiding in it were killed. The mother snake had casually gone out. When she came back she could not find her young ones. At last she found them cut into pieces. She was furious and understood that the farmer had killed them. She was bent on taking revenge. At night when the farmer was sleeping with his wife and children, the snake came full of anger. She began to bite the feet of the farmer, and then one by one the feet of his wife and children. All began to cry. But the eldest daughter happened to be out of the house that night. Then the snake remembered that on the occasion of her wedding, the girl had gone to the house of her father-in-law. "I will not spare her either," the snake resolved. The snake ran towards the neighbouring village. She stopped before the door of a house, and saw a young girl inside. She recognized her as the farmer’s eldest daughter. The snake went in determined to bite her. But then she saw the young girl with joint hands worshipping the snake she had made out of "gandh", and the nine "nagkule" (young snakes). She had offered them "nagane" (gram soaked and parched), "lahya" (rice blown out by parching), and "durva" (grass sacred to Ganpati), and she was praying with great devotion, "O God Snake, don’t be angry if I have committed any mistake. Accept my worship. Look after my people at home and in my father-in-law’s house. Do not bite anyone. Forgive any fault we may have committed inadvertently." With this the snake was pleased and came before the girl. She opened her eyes and got frightened at the sight of the snake. But the snake said, "Don’t be afraid. I shall not bite you. Tell me who you are and where your house is." Then the snake knew well that the girl was the farmer’s daughter and felt very sorry for having killed all her people. The snake told the girl what had happened, but told her not to cry. She gave her some nectar and told her to sprinkle it on her dead people, and with this they all came back to life
Ways of worship in various states:
Celebration varies from one state to state, though the main reson behind it is essentially the same.
* People offer cow's milk, fried paddy, rice bread and durva (tip of a special grass) in front of the pictures of Nag or make its idol in mud and sand and worship it.
* In South India on this day, married women and the girls wake up early in the morning, take head bath, arrange for puja and reach the nearest ant hill. They offer puja and milk to the Ant hill and pray to Snake God (Indian Cobra - Lord Subramanya's Incarnation) for the wellness of their brothers and their families. This day is like RakshaBandhan for South Indian Hindus. If there is no Ant Hill nearby, they offer milk and puja to the snake statues erected in the nearby temples. A portion of milk taken for puja is taken back home and offered to everyone at home as Prasad. They invite their brothers to their home. They immerse a flower in the left over milk and apply it on their brothers' back and perform Arathi for their wellbeing. They give gifts and the visiting brothers carry tokens of love for the sisters too.
* Sweets are prepared, offered to Lord and then distributed. This festival tries to bring the Sisters (married or unmarried) and their Brothers together for their common good
* In many states, people ask for alms and clothing by taking a dormant cobra in a basket from house to house.
* In Kerala, people prefer visiting the snake temples and worship the stone or metal icons of snakes and pray so that they and their families are saved from any snakebite throughout the year.
* Young girls pray and offer milk to cobras with the intention of getting a good spouse.
* It is believed that snakes remember faces and they take revenge with the whole family even if one of the member harms it. So, married women pray to save their families from any kind of harassment that can happen due to the snakes.
* People do not dig the earth this day.
* In North India, Hindus keep a fast.
* On this day, figures of Navnag (nine cobras) are drawn with turmeric or raktachandan (red sandalwood) on a wooden seat and are worshipped; they are offered naivedya of milk and parched rice. The Navnag comprise the nine major groups of pavitraks. Pavitraks are the subtlemost Divine particles.
* Devotees pour milk into the holes of the anthill and holes in the ground around the house or near the temple to propitiate the snakes. Sometimes, a small pot of milk with some flowers is placed near the holes so that the snakes may drink it. If a snake actually drinks the milk, it is considered to be extremely lucky for the devotee.
* Special dishes made of black Sesame seeds, raw rice flour & jaggery are made and offered as prasadam. Even soaked Whole channa dal & soaked rice is also offered.
Some family does not fry anything on that day. In many homes, it is forbidden to chop vegetables, fry, and make deep fried dishes.
* According to the Bhavishya Purana, when men bathe the snakes called Vasuki, Takshaka, Kaliya, Manibhadra, Airavata, Dhritarashtra, Karkotaka and Dhananjaya with milk on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Shriven, they ensure freedom from danger for their families.
Special Prayers and shlokas:
1. Nava naag Mantra:
Anantam Vasukim Shesham Padmanabham cha Kambalam
Shankhapalam Dhartarashtram Taxakam Kaliyam Tatha
Etani Navanamani cha Mahatmanam
The names of the 9 Naag Devatas - Anant, Vasuki, Shesh, Padmanabh, Kambal, Shankhapal, Dhrutrashtra, Takshak and Kalia – if prayed daily in the morning will keep one protected from all evils and helps to become victorious in life.
2. Naagaraja moola mantra
Om Naga Raja Maha Baaga
Mangalya Saukiyaprrata
Pashoon putran dhanam dehi
Om naga rajaya namo namaha
Meaning: It will remove all effects of posion, enemies, and ensure good children.
3. FOR GOOD PROGENY:
Nagaraja Namasthesthu
Haraharayitha Dehine
Hara Me Sakalan Rogan
Dada Me Sath Prajam Drisam.
MEANING: Salutations to Sri Nagaraja, who adorns Sri Siva's Body, please destroy all illness in me and bless me with good progeny (to be chanted by pregnant women) is chanted to propriate a gracious Yakshini who lives by the side of Himalays and guards pregnant women. The Navanaga slokam can be chanted at all times and by pregnant women. THIS slokam is called Navanaga stotram and is addressed to the nine divine serpents who bear the earth and protect us and our progeny.
4. Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha-3 times
Om Aaadhishenaaya Namaha
Om Ananthanaaya Namaha
Om Vaasukiye Namaha
Om ThatchagaNaaya Namaha
Om KaarkoDakanaaya Namaha
Om Padmanaaya Namaha
Om Maha Padmanaaya Namaha
Om Shankanaaya Namaha
Om Kuliganaaya Namaha
5. Sarpa Gaayathri
Om dhanShtraa PhaNaaya vidhmahE suvarNa punjaaya Dheemahi |
tannoh sarpah prachOdayath ||
6. Naagaraaja Gaayathri
BhujangEShaaya vidhmahE sarpajaathaaya Dheemahi |
tannO naagah prachOdayaath ||
7. Naaga stOtra:
The following mantras can be used either for prostrations (namaskaaras) or while feeding the snakes:
Brahma - lOkE cha yE sarpaah ShEShanaagaah purOgamaah |
namOstutEBhyah supreethaah prasannaah santhu mE sadhaa ||1||
viShNu – lOkE cha yE sarpaah vaasuki pramuKhaaShchayE
namOstutEBhyah supreethaah prasannaah santhu mE sadhaa ||2||
rudra – lOke cha yE sarpaah thakShakah pramuKhaasthaThaa |
namOstutEBhyah supreethaah prasannaah santhu mE sadhaa ||3||
========================
//sarve janah sukhinah santu
sarve santu niramayah
sarve bhadrani pashyantu
maa kashchit dukhamaaghbhavEt//
|| Nagpanchami |
|| Nag Panchmi ||
Sheshan anantan vasukin padmanabhan f kambalam.
Shangkhapalan dhritrashtran f takshkan kallen and..
Anantam Vasukim Shesham Padmanabham cha Kambalam |
Shankhapalam Dhartarashtram Taxakam Kaliyam Tatha ||
|| Nagpanchami |
Shravan Shukla panchamike day nagpanchamika Festival is celebrated. On this day nagpuja karneki tradition. Dharmamen nagpujake sandarbhamen the Hindu ancient kalse mention is found, which is a variety of kshetronmen cannot be obtained. Nagpanchami is celebrated the entire rundown Festival admission.
Nagpuja this one is child tyauharke rupmen. But the Saurashtra (Gujarat prantaka a uprashtra) is rupmen a nagpuja in waitakere. Saurashtramen it lent shravan Krishna panchamike day. This vow is the same each yearto mahki tithipar 1. Infinite, vasuki, balance etc nagonka POOJA, Brahmin cuisine is a vouchers by harvest whitaker udyapan.
:: Culture::
Our culture, animals-birds, tree-vegetation is everyone tried connecting with kindred regard. We have cow worship. There are many sisters does the Nightingale-fast. Cuckoo on his philosophy or tone of the ear only lent it to the food. We are worshipping the bull's vrishbhotsav day. Vat-Savitri is fast like the worship of the Banyan, but nag panchami snake worshipping of the day such as when we do, then the uniqueness of our culture peercast is reached.
Cows, Bulls, cuckoo worked with them by worshipping intimacy etc we are because they are useful when trying. But what comes into our nag use inverted if not the life without breaking. We are all afraid of him. Cobra began this fear would be nagpuja, so many people believe, but it doesn't seem to be compatible with our recognition culture.
Nag dev as the immensity of the heart of aryon accepting us is philosophy. ' Krinvanto vishvamaryam ', moving with the roared aryon to different acts while many had come into contact with the groups. Identified effective ideas they have had to labor to aryon.
Various groups are due to the difference in the method acts controversy is removed only if the stunning and grandiose ideas of human will accept the Vedas, was awe at aryon of akhand Bharat. To make it successful aryon runs in various different gods to worship punjon and individual punjon he got taken by assimilation. Due to these various pujas at the same time, we will nagpuja occurred, it seems.
:: India year snake-worshipping::
India was the country and krishipradhan the country. Snake farms protection does, so it adds khetarpal. Fauna, mouse etc that crop damage by the elements, they destroy the snake keeps our farms to harabhra.
Snake gives us many silent messages. We have to see the properties of the granja and snake shubhagrahi vision should be. Lord dattatreya then named was a good vision, so they were learning something from each object.
Snake bites do not typically someone unprovoked. Those annoying him or was he dansata it. Snake Lord's surgeon, he is easily without damage if, or as if it won the nirupadravi has no right to kill us. When we try to take his life, to save your life or your life tikane give it to us if it can be called evil dans is how? Try to take our Prana Prana shoppers what don't we?
The Snake is very similar to the aroma bhati. Champa plants lakeport he keeps it either is sandalwood tree. He lives in the forest of kevde phirta. It seems Indian culture dear fragrances he dear. The aroma of each human life is sadgunon, suvicharon is the of suvas suvas should us dear.
We know that snakes bites anyone without reason. Over the years, labor consolidated power i.e. poison anyone didn't want to lose only by meaningless images. We also will things in life will cause us even power asceticism. This power to angry at someone, to shock or amaze nirbalon bath do not waste the power to our development in other asmarthon in nirbalon to enable the strong to spend, which is expected to create.
By: Snake gem::
Some divine snakes on the brain is a gem. Gem is invaluable. We life priceless objects (things) should plating on the brain. Society of mukutmani such as mahapurushon should be on our brain. We should take their sedan and love their thoughts build our life according to aharnish tries to do. All discipline is manirup in which spirituality in our lives for him, being a unique attraction should be. Atmavikas is not helpful in knowing how that knowledge can be said?
Snakes of mostly solitary lives and Bill does. Why should the gathering to avert mumukshu. The Snake is an example.
By manthan dev-demons as vasuki as the means for Lord durjanon nag task has become a way for open. Come on malicious human, even if true, it could give a big cultural work in yoga and weakly continuous khatkati are such on living human to their boasting will not build too stretchy.
Work is also being added to the bhagvad if malicious the Lord also shall acknowledge the support Shiva has snakes in their throat and Vishnu is the remaining by-copulation.
To grow the overall creation of interest was exiled due to rain snakes when guest in our House comes as it is beholden to its wisdom compelled by our shelter's sake becomes. Nag panchami Festival of shravan month like this only by our sages have shown the very rationale.
The worship of the Serpent God's method::::
Nanning are too many races. There are nine famous nuking. There are some navnagastotramen as they described it-
Sheshan anantan vasukin padmanabhan f kambalan.
Shankhapalan dhritrashtran takshkan kallen and..
Eton new namani naganan f mahatmanam.
Sayankale pathennityan prelate especially..
Tasya vishbhayan nasti universally victorious bhavet..
-Navnagastotra
This means: infinite, vasuki, balance, padmanabha, blankets, shankhapal, dhritrashtra, takshak and Kalia, these nine do jatiyonke nagonki adoration. It is not sarpabhay and not vishbadha.
By: Snake God worshipping::
Pidhe on are images of the nine serpents of haldi. Vasuki was infinite, as described in verses ... more It is made of a snake as avahan. Then harvest their shodshopchar POOJA is performed. They are milk and khilon of nevada invoked. Some places raktachandan in place of the nine serpents of haldi images are created. Raktachandan is more similar to Cobra in coldness. Cobra westwick caused bamithe sattvapradhan (nagke House) in the annulus and radicals remain employed. Bamithe is employed to power around.
:: विधि ::
• Morning got up to go to the nityakarm retired from house cleaning.
• After cleaning, clean bath robes.
• Worshipping to create fresh food-rice vermicelli etc. In some parts of the day keep nagpanchami is food and goes rancid nagpanchami day dinner.
• It has ocher potocari on plaster is made instead of worshipping. Then has ocher from coal in raw milk ghiskar puti plaster to make the home and make it the contours of several nagdevon.
• A few places on gold, silver, lumbar and pen of mud and turmeric and sandalwood inks or dung House main door both by the nagdev hammered five fun baglon worship.
• First ascended a bowl of milk in the Bambi of serpents come.
• And then plaster made of nagdevta dadhi, durva, kusha, smell, virginal, flower, water, raw milk, Roli and rice vermicelli and mishthan by their worshipping etc due to promulgate.
• Should the narrative by hearing after the aarti.
Dig the Earth whole shravan month especially nagpanchami is prohibited. To this day the fast khilai and milk pudding by snakes are fed. Somewhere-anywhere sawan month Krishna nag panchami is celebrated on panchami side is. The White Lotus in the worship.
:: The nagpanchami day::
• Philosophy of the day must nagdev.
• Bambi (nagdev's Habitat) should worship.
• Must also decide the nagdev milk.
• Nagdev's fragrant flower and sandalwood must worship only because the aroma is dear nagdev.
• To chant OM phat carlock. Yeh Sunday Kyun AATA Hai sarpavish away.
:: Nagdevtaki worship and their features:
Why is pujaka symbol nagko?
Some logonke manmen this question arises, that is it a worship karneki â praniyonki method? And for this reason they consider the following upasnapaddhatiko pichda Hindu dharmadvara happened. But the truth is that, the srishtike are srishtika each particle ishvarse particle kanmen God is rife, this knowledge is put to the vishvako Hindu dharmane. Kathnadvara your shrikrishnajine God gitamen confirm this batki is of vibhuti. He says, I am the best "infinite" nanning.
Reference: shrimadbhagvadgita (adhyay10, verses 29)
Consider vishyamen this formula-intensive, so the stone i.e. stones, tree or worship the Dharma in premantura also has symbol.
By: Snake-God features::
1. snake khetarpal of devtaonmen. Kshetrapaldevta IE kshetraki rakshakranevale God.
2. with regard bhumiki has added to the fertile shaktike nagka.
3. snake ichchase are related to God. They fill out the sponsor i.e. sakam ichchake ichchaonki by junior are gods.
4. snake petrunkevitch is samuhka. Conchita sukshmatisukshm namely divine particle petrovic. God chaitanyasvarup them. There are several Hindu according dharmake snake devtaonke rupse related. God made the shivjine holds nine Serpent God Vishnu are each kalpake antamen sheshasnapar bedroom memorizing. Shrigneshjine also have holding pratap snake.
5. snake petrunkevitch group. I.e. they are subtle and we see macro drishtise netrondvara i.e., they nag samuhka pratikatmak macro form these petrunkevitch. These nagome are view reason pujkako devtaka as spiritual benefits.
6. snake brahmacharyaka icons, they are bamitheme. The vyaktike hathome is hit or nag bamitha toda, tend to curse her snake.
7. nagke shapki is excessive intensity. Our purvajonke hands if it happened to be the perfect crime vanshako is it does suffer the curse. This curse to get away; So are a number of methods. In example, ashlesha participated, CAL snake peace such as law. These vidhiyonmen are chadhaya nagko participated. But here note, it is pratikatmak participated. This includes rice, wheat or tilke atese nagki shape is created and used for the last killing kalmen nagko avahan.
8. prithvipar is durjanodvara also increases when the wrongdoing is too are suffering. This is the reason for the silence is difficult to sadhkonke. Then durjanonka holds God directly to destruction are born. Ishvarke rupko the same direct avatar says. Ishvarka it will make religion as the avatar durjanonka destruction Foundation. This religion is sansthapnaka action avatar. When God take avatar, then their other gods also take avatar & ishvarke religion sansthapnake assist carmine. At that time are nagdevta along. For example, tretayugmen God shrivishnune rupmen download lakshmanke then be holding RAM Avtar, beyond sheshnag had exacted. Yugmen God shrivishnune shrikrishnaka took the avatar dvapar era. At that time, to promote the rupmen of balarama beyond sheshnag had exacted.
Nag Panchmi is a Hindu festival celebrated all over India with vigor and devotion. It is believed to be one of the most auspicious days of the entire year. This day is dedicated to the worship of snakes. Worshipping forces of nature has been a part of Hinduism from ancient times. Festivals are based on geography, seasons, position of stars, and much more. They are intertwined with stories and legends that add a sense of awe and devotion and firm up ones faith.
::Tithi ::
Shravan Shukla Panchami (Fifth day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Shravan).
:: History ::
The first reference of naga or sarpa or Ahi(h) is found in the Rigveda, First Mandala. Here Ahih is described as the ruler of the entire water world. Indra killed him so that the Earth could get clouds and rain and people could live in peace. The best Vedic reference is available in Sukla Yajurveda: Adhyaya 13, Mantras no 06--10. The Yajur-Veda provides a more definite account of serpent-worship; the Samhita of this Veda contains prayers to the Sarpas who are addressed as denizens of the heavens, the skies, the rays of the sun, the waters, the vegetables and the like. In the Brahmanas of the Samhita part of the Yajur-Veda, invocations are addressed to serpents and sweet sacrifices are offered for their acceptance. In the Atharveda Veda, there is a reference of Sarpa yajna in Kanda 05, Anuvaka 03. These are references of snake worship only. Many scholars have detected traces of snake-worship in the 8th Ashtaka of the Rig Veda, where in the earth is addressed as the Sarpa-rajni or "the queen of the serpents or the queen of all that moves".
Manu, the ancient law-giver of the Hindus also makes mention of the Nagas and the Sarpas.
Carved or painted figures of snakes can be found on the walls of many Hindu temples that exist from the medieval era. Images of snake worship rituals can also be spotted in the world famous Ajanta caves. Detailed description of the cobra snakes can also be seen in the Arthasastra, the classic ancient Hindu political text by the great Hindu philosopher Chanakya (300 BC).
The custom of snake-worship is also believed to have come from the "Naga" clan, a highly developed tribe who lived in ancient India. The Indus Valley civilisation of 3000 B.C. gives ample proof of the popularity of snake-worship amongst the Nagas, whose culture was fairly wide-spread in India.
The mention of the Nagas and the Sarpas is also found in the Mahabharata. In the sacred Hindu text BhagavadGita, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that He is Vasuki amogst Sarpas and Ananta amonst the Nagas.
One needs to keep in mind that Nagapanchami is basically a Pouranic concept. The Hindu Puranas mention Nagas and the Sarpas in detail. In the Bhagavata Purana, Vasuki and eleven other Nagas are mentioned as forming the string of the sun's chariot, one serpent being held to be sacred to each month. The Markandeya Purana embodies the well-known story of the marriage of Madalasa, a Naga princess of superb beauty, with King Kulvalasva.
In all the Puranas, there is a chapter dedicated to creation. Legend has it that, Prajapati Brahma, the creator, created his son 'Kashyapa'. Prajapati Daksha gave many of his daughters in marriage to Sage Kashyapa. His last daughter Kadru gave birth to Nagas and sarpas. Thus the sarpas are of celestial origin.
Reasons for the festival at this time:
To understand the history of the festival, the time of its observance should also be kept in mind. Nagapanchami is observed in the month of Shravana (July/August), the advent of the rainy season in many parts of India. It is the time when snakes leave their holes in the flooded fields and jungles and enter the habitations of men - thereby throwing them into great consternation. It is during this period that the greatest number of deaths from snake-bites occur. The people of the countryside labor under the impression that the only way of obtaining immunity from snakebite is by propitiating the snake-goddess Manasa.
It is also the beginning of the harvest season. In India the reaping of the harvest is largely a manual operation and farmers have to work in the fields, thus exposing themselves to the bites of poisonous snakes lurking unseen among the dense crop. This fear seems to be the main cause for Nagapanchami celebrations. Propitiating the snake god provides some psychological succour to the poor rural folk whose main occupation remains agriculture.
Legends:
1. Story from the Hindu epic Mahabharata)
Once upon a time, a great king Parikshit died due to the bite of a snake called Takshak. To seek revenge of his father's death Janmejay, who is also known as the first ruler of the era of Kalyug performed a Nag Yajna, which would kill all snakes and make the universe free of snakes. Due to this Yajna many snakes died.
Vasuki, the King of the snake, was extremely worried. He went to his sister Jaratkaru and said, "Sister, I feel as if I am burning. I am feeling faint and my resistance to the fire of the Yajna is weakening. I am being pulled towards the fire and I feel that I shall soon be drawn into the fire as well. I was anticipating that such an incident might happen, and hence I got you married to Rishi Jaratkaru. Now, you are the only one who can save us. According to the prophecy of Lord Brahma, only your son Aasteek will be able stop this Yajna. I know that he is still a boy; but he is a great scholar of the Vedas and is loved by all his elders. I request you to ask him to save our lives now, otherwise all the snakes will disappear from earth."
Hearing these words, Jaratkaru went to her son and requested him to save the lives of the snakes. Aasteek went back to Vasuki and said, "O, King of the snakes, do not fear. I shall help you to get rid of the curse. I shall go to King Janmejaya and impress him with my knowledge and request him to stop the yajna."
Thus assuring Vasuki, Aasteek left for the venue of the Yajna. When he reached there he saw all the eminent people sitting there. But he was not allowed to go inside by the sentries. Aasteek then started to sing hymns in praise of the Yajna so that he would be allowed inside.
The sweet voice of Aasteek reached Janmejaya and he gave him permission to attend the Yajna and called him inside the premises. Once inside, Aasteek sang praises of all those who were present there and this pleased the congregation.
Pleased, Janmejaya thought that the boy deserved to granted a wish as he was mature for his age and a great scholar. He asked the advice of the wise sages present there regarding this. All the wise men unanimously declared that since the boy was a brahmin and a scholar at that, he was venerable.
Having obtained the counsel of the wise men, Janmejaya then requested all those learned sages to ensure that his Yajna was successful and that soon Takshak (the snake who had bitten his father, Parikshit), should fall into the fires of the Yajna and die. The wise men at the Yajna told Janmejaya that Takshak had gone to Indra (the King of the Gods) and Indra had promised full protection to Takshak.
Upon hearing this, Janmejaya requested the sages and priests to chant such a powerful mantra that even Indra would be powerless before it and would fall into the fire with Takshak. The priests started chanting the most potent mantras and soon both Takshak along with Indra were pulled towards the fire. Afraid that he would also die, Indra left Takshak to fend for himself. Takshak started to be pulled towards the fire with each passing minute.
Now that Janmejaya was assured that his enemy would die, he turned to Aasteek and requested him to ask for anything that he wished for. Aasteek, seeing that Takshak would soon fall into the fire, took advantage of the situation and asked Janmejaya to stop the Snake Yajna so that the snakes who were left would survive. Janmejaya tried his best to persuade Aasteek to ask for anything other than this. Aasteek was not one to give up easily, he asked Janmejaya to stop the Yajna and also reminded him that he could not refuse what he had promised. He said that he was asking for this because he had to save his mother's clan.
Finally, Janmejaya had to relent and he stopped the Yajna. Meanwhile Aasteek stopped the rapid descent of Takshak towards the fire by chanting counter mantras. Takshak was relieved andd grateful that his life was saved and thanked Aasteek.
Having succeeded, Aasteek then went to Vasuki, his Uncle and Jaratkaru, his mother and narrated the whole incident to them.
Vasuki and the surviving snakes collectively blessed Aasteek and asked him to ask them for a boon. Aasteek said, "I will chant three mantras. I want a boon such that anyone who chants these three mantras at least once a day, should be spared death by a snake bite".
He then chanted the three Mantras called Asit, Aartiman and Suneeth. The snakes granted Aasteek his wish and it is believed that if anyone chants one of these mantras even once a day will have no fear of a snake bite.
The Mantras are as follows:
"Yo Jaratkaruna Jato Jaratkarau Mahayashah;
Aasteekah Sarpsatray vah Pannagaan Yobhyarakshat;
There Samarantam mahabhaga on My Hinsitumarhatha. "
"A great sage called Aasteek was born to Saint Jaratkaru and the snake woman, Jaratkaru. Aasteek saved the snakes from the Snake Yajna. So all of you holy and lucky snakes, I am remembering him. Please do not bite me."
"Sarpapsarpa Bhadram Te Gachcha Sarpa Mahavisha;
Janmejasya Yajnante Aasteeka vachanam Smara."
"Hey, all ye holy and poisonous snakes! Please go away. May you be blessed. Remember all that Aasteek said at the end of the Snake Yajna of Janmejaya and go away now."
"Aasteekasya Vachah Shrutva Yah Sarpo na Nivartate;
shatadha bhidyate Murdhina Shinshavrikshaphalam Yatha."
"The snakes who do not return even after hearing the words of Aasteek, their hoods will be split into hundreds of pieces like the fruit of the Shisham tree"
This is how Aasteek stopped the Snake Yajna and saved the snakes from annihilation.
2. As per Hindu mythology, Prithvi (Earth) is believed to be supported by Sesh Nag (the snake on which god Vishnu sleeps). Therefore the worship of snakes is in gratitude to Sesh Nag.
3. The festival of Nāga Panchami is celebrated by Hindus to pay respect to Nāgas. The five Nāgas worshipped on Nag Panchami are Ananta, Vāsuki, Taxak, Karkotaka and Pingala.
4. Nag Panchami is also connected with the following legend of Krishna One day, young Krishna was playing with the other cowboys, when suddenly the ball got entangled in the high branch of a tree. Krishna volunteered to climb the tree and fetch the ball. But below the tree there was a deep part of the river Yamuna, in which the terrible snake Kaliya was living. Everybody was afraid of that part of the river.
Suddenly, Krishna fell from the tree into the waters. The terrible snake came out ready to attack. But Krishna was ready and jumping on the snake’s head he caught it by the neck. Kaliya understood that Krishna was not an ordinary boy, and that it would not be easy to overcome him. So Kaliya pleaded with Krishna : “Please, do not kill me.” Krishna full of compassion asked the snake to promise that henceforth he would not harass anybody. Then he let the snake go free into the river again.
On Nag Panchami day the victory of Krishna over the Kaliya snake is commemorated. For this reason Krishna is known as “Kaliya Mardan”.
5. 'Nine types of serpents - Anant, Vasuki, Shesh, Padmanabh, Kambal, Shankhapal, Dhartarashtra, Takshak and Kaliya are worshipped. As a result, fear of serpents is overcome and poisoning by venom is prevented.'
6. People believe that Lord Shiva loves and blesses snakes and so by worshipping the snakes they also try to please him.
7. The story of the snake and the farmer: A farmer was ploughing his field. At the edge of the field there was an anthill which he inadvertently destroyed with the plough, and thus the young serpents that were hiding in it were killed. The mother snake had casually gone out. When she came back she could not find her young ones. At last she found them cut into pieces. She was furious and understood that the farmer had killed them. She was bent on taking revenge. At night when the farmer was sleeping with his wife and children, the snake came full of anger. She began to bite the feet of the farmer, and then one by one the feet of his wife and children. All began to cry. But the eldest daughter happened to be out of the house that night. Then the snake remembered that on the occasion of her wedding, the girl had gone to the house of her father-in-law. "I will not spare her either," the snake resolved. The snake ran towards the neighbouring village. She stopped before the door of a house, and saw a young girl inside. She recognized her as the farmer’s eldest daughter. The snake went in determined to bite her. But then she saw the young girl with joint hands worshipping the snake she had made out of "gandh", and the nine "nagkule" (young snakes). She had offered them "nagane" (gram soaked and parched), "lahya" (rice blown out by parching), and "durva" (grass sacred to Ganpati), and she was praying with great devotion, "O God Snake, don’t be angry if I have committed any mistake. Accept my worship. Look after my people at home and in my father-in-law’s house. Do not bite anyone. Forgive any fault we may have committed inadvertently." With this the snake was pleased and came before the girl. She opened her eyes and got frightened at the sight of the snake. But the snake said, "Don’t be afraid. I shall not bite you. Tell me who you are and where your house is." Then the snake knew well that the girl was the farmer’s daughter and felt very sorry for having killed all her people. The snake told the girl what had happened, but told her not to cry. She gave her some nectar and told her to sprinkle it on her dead people, and with this they all came back to life
Ways of worship in various states:
Celebration varies from one state to state, though the main reson behind it is essentially the same.
* People offer cow's milk, fried paddy, rice bread and durva (tip of a special grass) in front of the pictures of Nag or make its idol in mud and sand and worship it.
* In South India on this day, married women and the girls wake up early in the morning, take head bath, arrange for puja and reach the nearest ant hill. They offer puja and milk to the Ant hill and pray to Snake God (Indian Cobra - Lord Subramanya's Incarnation) for the wellness of their brothers and their families. This day is like RakshaBandhan for South Indian Hindus. If there is no Ant Hill nearby, they offer milk and puja to the snake statues erected in the nearby temples. A portion of milk taken for puja is taken back home and offered to everyone at home as Prasad. They invite their brothers to their home. They immerse a flower in the left over milk and apply it on their brothers' back and perform Arathi for their wellbeing. They give gifts and the visiting brothers carry tokens of love for the sisters too.
* Sweets are prepared, offered to Lord and then distributed. This festival tries to bring the Sisters (married or unmarried) and their Brothers together for their common good
* In many states, people ask for alms and clothing by taking a dormant cobra in a basket from house to house.
* In Kerala, people prefer visiting the snake temples and worship the stone or metal icons of snakes and pray so that they and their families are saved from any snakebite throughout the year.
* Young girls pray and offer milk to cobras with the intention of getting a good spouse.
* It is believed that snakes remember faces and they take revenge with the whole family even if one of the member harms it. So, married women pray to save their families from any kind of harassment that can happen due to the snakes.
* People do not dig the earth this day.
* In North India, Hindus keep a fast.
* On this day, figures of Navnag (nine cobras) are drawn with turmeric or raktachandan (red sandalwood) on a wooden seat and are worshipped; they are offered naivedya of milk and parched rice. The Navnag comprise the nine major groups of pavitraks. Pavitraks are the subtlemost Divine particles.
* Devotees pour milk into the holes of the anthill and holes in the ground around the house or near the temple to propitiate the snakes. Sometimes, a small pot of milk with some flowers is placed near the holes so that the snakes may drink it. If a snake actually drinks the milk, it is considered to be extremely lucky for the devotee.
* Special dishes made of black Sesame seeds, raw rice flour & jaggery are made and offered as prasadam. Even soaked Whole channa dal & soaked rice is also offered.
Some family does not fry anything on that day. In many homes, it is forbidden to chop vegetables, fry, and make deep fried dishes.
* According to the Bhavishya Purana, when men bathe the snakes called Vasuki, Takshaka, Kaliya, Manibhadra, Airavata, Dhritarashtra, Karkotaka and Dhananjaya with milk on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Shriven, they ensure freedom from danger for their families.
Special Prayers and shlokas:
1. Nava naag Mantra:
Anantam Vasukim Shesham Padmanabham cha Kambalam
Shankhapalam Dhartarashtram Taxakam Kaliyam Tatha
Etani Navanamani cha Mahatmanam
The names of the 9 Naag Devatas - Anant, Vasuki, Shesh, Padmanabh, Kambal, Shankhapal, Dhrutrashtra, Takshak and Kalia – if prayed daily in the morning will keep one protected from all evils and helps to become victorious in life.
2. Naagaraja moola mantra
Om Naga Raja Maha Baaga
Mangalya Saukiyaprrata
Pashoon putran dhanam dehi
Om naga rajaya namo namaha
Meaning: It will remove all effects of posion, enemies, and ensure good children.
3. FOR GOOD PROGENY:
Nagaraja Namasthesthu
Haraharayitha Dehine
Hara Me Sakalan Rogan
Dada Me Sath Prajam Drisam.
MEANING: Salutations to Sri Nagaraja, who adorns Sri Siva's Body, please destroy all illness in me and bless me with good progeny (to be chanted by pregnant women) is chanted to propriate a gracious Yakshini who lives by the side of Himalays and guards pregnant women. The Navanaga slokam can be chanted at all times and by pregnant women. THIS slokam is called Navanaga stotram and is addressed to the nine divine serpents who bear the earth and protect us and our progeny.
4. Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha-3 times
Om Aaadhishenaaya Namaha
Om Ananthanaaya Namaha
Om Vaasukiye Namaha
Om ThatchagaNaaya Namaha
Om KaarkoDakanaaya Namaha
Om Padmanaaya Namaha
Om Maha Padmanaaya Namaha
Om Shankanaaya Namaha
Om Kuliganaaya Namaha
5. Sarpa Gaayathri
Om dhanShtraa PhaNaaya vidhmahE suvarNa punjaaya Dheemahi |
tannoh sarpah prachOdayath ||
6. Naagaraaja Gaayathri
BhujangEShaaya vidhmahE sarpajaathaaya Dheemahi |
tannO naagah prachOdayaath ||
7. Naaga stOtra:
The following mantras can be used either for prostrations (namaskaaras) or while feeding the snakes:
Brahma - lOkE cha yE sarpaah ShEShanaagaah purOgamaah |
namOstutEBhyah supreethaah prasannaah santhu mE sadhaa ||1||
viShNu – lOkE cha yE sarpaah vaasuki pramuKhaaShchayE
namOstutEBhyah supreethaah prasannaah santhu mE sadhaa ||2||
rudra – lOke cha yE sarpaah thakShakah pramuKhaasthaThaa |
namOstutEBhyah supreethaah prasannaah santhu mE sadhaa ||3||
========================
//sarve janah sukhinah santu
sarve santu niramayah
sarve bhadrani pashyantu
maa kashchit dukhamaaghbhavEt//
श्रावण शुक्ल पंचमीके दिन नागपंचमीका त्यौहार मनाया जाता है । इस दिन नागपूजा करनेकी परंपरा है । प्राचीन कालसे ही हिंदु धर्ममें नागपूजाके संदर्भमें उल्लेख पाया जाता है, जो भारतके विभिन्न क्षेत्रोंमें की जाती है । नागपंचमी संपूर्ण भारतमें मनाया जानेवाला त्यौहार है ।
नागपूजा यह एक त्यौहारके रूपमें मनाई जाती है । परंतु सौराष्ट्र (गुजरात प्रांतका एक उपराष्ट्र) में नागपूजा एक व्रतके रूपमें की जाती है । सौराष्ट्रमें यह व्रत श्रावण कृष्ण पंचमीके दिन करते हैं । यह व्रत प्रत्येक माहकी उसी तिथिपर १ वर्षतक किया जाता है । अनंत, वासुकी, शेष इत्यादि नागोंका पूजन, ब्राह्मण भोजन देकर एक वर्षके उपरांत व्रतका उद्यापन किया जाता है ।
:: संस्कृति ::
हमारी संस्कृति ने पशु-पक्षी, वृक्ष-वनस्पति सबके साथ आत्मीय संबंध जोड़ने का प्रयत्न किया है। हमारे यहां गाय की पूजा होती है। कई बहनें कोकिला-व्रत करती हैं। कोयल के दर्शन हो अथवा उसका स्वर कान पर पड़े तब ही भोजन लेना, ऐसा यह व्रत है। हमारे यहाँ वृषभोत्सव के दिन बैल का पूजन किया जाता है। वट-सावित्री जैसे व्रत में बरगद की पूजा होती है, परन्तु नाग पंचमी जैसे दिन नाग का पूजन जब हम करते हैं, तब तो हमारी संस्कृति की विशिष्टता पराकाष्टा पर पहुंच जाती है।
गाय, बैल, कोयल इत्यादि का पूजन करके उनके साथ आत्मीयता साधने का हम प्रयत्न करते हैं, क्योंकि वे उपयोगी हैं। लेकिन नाग हमारे किस उपयोग में आता है, उल्टे यदि काटे तो जान लिए बिना न रहे। हम सब उससे डरते हैं। नाग के इस डर से नागपूजा शुरू हुई होगी, ऐसा कई लोग मानते हैं, परन्तु यह मान्यता हमारी संस्कृति से सुसंगत नहीं लगती।
नाग को देव के रूप में स्वीकार करने में आर्यों के हृदय की विशालता का हमें दर्शन होता है। 'कृण्वन्तो विश्वमार्यम्' इस गर्जना के साथ आगे बढ़ते हुए आर्यों को भिन्न-भिन्न उपासना करते हुए अनेक समूहों के संपर्क में आना पड़ा। वेदों के प्रभावी विचार उनके पास पहुँचाने के लिए आर्यों को अत्यधिक परिश्रम करना पड़ा।
विभिन्न समूहों को उपासना विधि में रहे फर्क के कारण होने वाले विवाद को यदि निकाल दिया जाए तो मानव मात्र वेदों के तेजस्वी और भव्य विचारों को स्वीकार करेगा, इस पर आर्यों की अखण्ड श्रद्धा थी। इसको सफल बनाने के लिए आर्यों ने अलग-अलग पुंजों में चलती विभिन्न देवताओं की पूजा को स्वीकार किया और अलग-अलग पुंजों को उन्होंने आत्मसात करके अपने में मिला लिया। इन विभिन्न पूजाओं को स्वीकार करने के कारण ही हमें नागपूजा प्राप्त हुई होगी, ऐसा लगता है।
:: भारत वर्ष में सर्प पूजन ::
भारत देश कृषिप्रधान देश था और है। सांप खेतों का रक्षण करता है, इसलिए उसे क्षेत्रपाल कहते हैं। जीव-जंतु, चूहे आदि जो फसल को नुकसान करने वाले तत्व हैं, उनका नाश करके सांप हमारे खेतों को हराभरा रखता है।
साँप हमें कई मूक संदेश भी देता है। साँप के गुण देखने की हमारे पास गुणग्राही और शुभग्राही दृष्टि होनी चाहिए। भगवान दत्तात्रय की ऐसी शुभ दृष्टि थी, इसलिए ही उन्हें प्रत्येक वस्तु से कुछ न कुछ सीख मिली।
साँप सामान्यतया किसी को अकारण नहीं काटता। उसे परेशान करने वाले को या छेड़ने वालों को ही वह डंसता है। साँप भी प्रभु का सर्जन है, वह यदि नुकसान किए बिना सरलता से जाता हो, या निरुपद्रवी बनकर जीता हो तो उसे मारने का हमें कोई अधिकार नहीं है। जब हम उसके प्राण लेने का प्रयत्न करते हैं, तब अपने प्राण बचाने के लिए या अपना जीवन टिकाने के लिए यदि वह हमें डँस दे तो उसे दुष्ट कैसे कहा जा सकता है? हमारे प्राण लेने वालों के प्राण लेने का प्रयत्न क्या हम नहीं करते?
साँप को सुगंध बहुत ही भाती है। चंपा के पौधे को लिपटकर वह रहता है या तो चंदन के वृक्ष पर वह निवास करता है। केवड़े के वन में भी वह फिरता रहता है। उसे सुगंध प्रिय लगती है, इसलिए भारतीय संस्कृति को वह प्रिय है। प्रत्येक मानव को जीवन में सद्गुणों की सुगंध आती है, सुविचारों की सुवास आती है, वह सुवास हमें प्रिय होनी चाहिए।
हम जानते हैं कि साँप बिना कारण किसी को नहीं काटता। वर्षों परिश्रम संचित शक्ति यानी जहर वह किसी को यों ही काटकर व्यर्थ खो देना नहीं चाहता। हम भी जीवन में कुछ तप करेंगे तो उससे हमें भी शक्ति पैदा होगी। यह शक्ति किसी पर गुस्सा करने में, निर्बलों को हैरान करने में या अशक्तों को दुःख देने में व्यर्थ न कर उस शक्ति को हमारा विकास करने में, दूसरे असमर्थों को समर्थ बनाने में, निर्बलों को सबल बनाने में खर्च करें, यही अपेक्षित है।
:: सर्प मणि ::
कुछ दैवी साँपों के मस्तिष्क पर मणि होती है। मणि अमूल्य होती है। हमें भी जीवन में अमूल्य वस्तुओं को (बातों को) मस्तिष्क पर चढ़ाना चाहिए। समाज के मुकुटमणि जैसे महापुरुषों का स्थान हमारे मस्तिष्क पर होना चाहिए। हमें प्रेम से उनकी पालकी उठानी चाहिए और उनके विचारों के अनुसार हमारे जीवन का निर्माण करने का अहर्निश प्रयत्न करना चाहिए। सर्व विद्याओं में मणिरूप जो अध्यात्म विद्या है, उसके लिए हमारे जीवन में अनोखा आकर्षण होना चाहिए। आत्मविकास में सहायक न हो, उस ज्ञान को ज्ञान कैसे कहा जा सकता है?
साँप बिल में रहता है और अधिकांशतः एकान्त का सेवन करता है। इसलिए मुमुक्षु को जनसमूह को टालना चाहिए। इस बारे में साँप का उदाहरण दिया जाता है।
देव-दानवों द्वारा किए गए समुद्र मंथन में साधन रूप बनकर वासुकी नाग ने दुर्जनों के लिए भी प्रभु कार्य में निमित्त बनने का मार्ग खुला कर दिया है। दुर्जन मानव भी यदि सच्चे मार्ग पर आए तो वह सांस्कृतिक कार्य में अपना बहुत बड़ा योग दे सकता है और दुर्बलता सतत खटकती रहने पर ऐसे मानव को अपने किए हुए सत्कार्य के लिए ज्यादा घमंड भी निर्माण नहीं होगा।
दुर्जन भी यदि भगवद् कार्य में जुड़ जाए तो प्रभु भी उसको स्वीकार करते हैं, इस बात का समर्थन शिव ने साँप को अपने गले में रखकर और विष्णु ने शेष-शयन करके किया है।
समग्र सृष्टि के हित के लिए बरसते बरसात के कारण निर्वासित हुआ साँप जब हमारे घर में अतिथि बनकर आता है तब उसे आश्रय देकर कृतज्ञ बुद्धि से उसका पूजन करना हमारा कर्त्तव्य हो जाता है। इस तरह नाग पंचमी का उत्सव श्रावण महीने में ही रखकर हमारे ऋषियों ने बहुत ही औचित्य दिखाया है।
:: नाग देवता की पूजा करने की पद्धति ::
नागोंमें भी कई जातियां हैं । नागोंके नौ रूप प्रसिद्ध हैं । नवनागस्तोत्रमें बताए अनुसार वे रूप कुछ इसप्रकार हैं-
अनंतं वासुकिं शेषं पद्मनाभं च कंबलं ।
शंखपालं धृतराष्ट्रं तक्षकं कालियं तथा ।।
एतानि नव नामानि नागानां च महात्मनाम् ।
सायंकाले पठेन्नित्यं प्रातःकाले विशेषतः।।
तस्य विषभयं नास्ति सर्वत्र विजयी भवेत् ।।
- नवनागस्तोत्र
इसका अर्थ है : अनंत, वासुकी, शेष, पद्मनाभ, कंबल, शंखपाल, धृतराष्ट्र, तक्षक एवं कालिया, इन नौ जातियोंके नागोंकी आराधना करते हैं । इससे सर्पभय नहीं रहता और विषबाधा नहीं होती ।
:: नाग देवता का पूजन ::
पीढे पर हलदी से नौ नागों की आकृतियां बनाई जाती हैं । श्लोक में बताए अनुसार अनंत, वासुकि… इसप्रकार कहकर एक एक नाग का आवाहन किया जाता है । उसके उपरांत उनका षोडशोपचार पूजन किया जाता है । उन्हें दूध एवं खीलों का नैवेद्य निवेदित किया जाता है । कुछ स्थानों पर हलदी के स्थान पर रक्तचंदन से नौ नागों की आकृतियां बनाई जाती हैं । रक्तचंदन में नाग के समान अधिक शीतलता होती है । नाग के वास्तव्यके कारण बमीठे में (नागके घर में) सत्त्वप्रधान वलय तथा कण कार्यरत रहते हैं । बमीठे में चारों ओर शक्ति कार्यरत रहती है ।
:: विधि ::
• प्रातः उठकर घर की सफाई कर नित्यकर्म से निवृत्त हो जाएँ।
• पश्चात स्नान कर साफ-स्वच्छ वस्त्र धारण करें।
• पूजन के लिए सेंवई-चावल आदि ताजा भोजन बनाएँ। कुछ भागों में नागपंचमी से एक दिन भोजन बना कर रख लिया जाता है और नागपंचमी के दिन बासी खाना खाया जाता है।
• इसके बाद दीवाल पर गेरू पोतकर पूजन का स्थान बनाया जाता है। फिर कच्चे दूध में कोयला घिसकर उससे गेरू पुती दीवाल पर घर जैसा बनाते हैं और उसमें अनेक नागदेवों की आकृति बनाते हैं।
• कुछ जगहों पर सोने, चांदी, काठ व मिट्टी की कलम तथा हल्दी व चंदन की स्याही से अथवा गोबर से घर के मुख्य दरवाजे के दोनों बगलों में पाँच फन वाले नागदेव अंकित कर पूजते हैं।
• सर्वप्रथम नागों की बांबी में एक कटोरी दूध चढ़ा आते हैं।
• और फिर दीवाल पर बनाए गए नागदेवता की दधि, दूर्वा, कुशा, गंध, अक्षत, पुष्प, जल, कच्चा दूध, रोली और चावल आदि से पूजन कर सेंवई व मिष्ठान से उनका भोग लगाते हैं।
• पश्चात आरती कर कथा श्रवण करना चाहिए।
पूरे श्रावण माह विशेष कर नागपंचमी को धरती खोदना निषिद्ध है। इस दिन व्रत करके सांपों को खीर खिलाई व दूध पिलाया जाता है। कहीं-कहीं सावन माह की कृष्ण पक्ष की पंचमी को भी नाग पंचमी मनाई जाती है। इस दिन सफेद कमल पूजा में रखा जाता है।
:: नागपंचमी के दिन ::
• इस दिन नागदेव का दर्शन अवश्य करना चाहिए।
• बांबी (नागदेव का निवास स्थान) की पूजा करना चाहिए।
• नागदेव को दूध भी पिलाना चाहिए।
• नागदेव की सुगंधित पुष्प व चंदन से ही पूजा करनी चाहिए क्योंकि नागदेव को सुगंध प्रिय है।
• ॐ कुरुकुल्ये हुं फट् स्वाहा का जाप करने से सर्पविष दूर होता है।
:: नागदेवताकी पूजा तथा उनकी विशेषताएं ::
नागको पूजाका प्रतीक क्यों माना गया है ?
कुछ लोगोंके मनमें यह प्रश्न उठता है, कि प्राणियोंकी पूजा करनेकी यह वैâसी पद्धति है ? और इस कारण वे हिंदु धर्मद्वारा बताई उपासनापद्धतिको पिछडा हुआ मानते हैं । परंतु सत्य तो यह है कि, ‘इस सृष्टिके कण कणमें ईश्वर हैं, सृष्टिका प्रत्येक कण ईश्वरसे व्याप्त है’, इसका ज्ञान हिंदु धर्मने ही इस विश्वको करवाया है । इस बातकी पुष्टि भगवान श्रीकृष्णजीने गीतामें अपनी विभूती कथनद्वारा की है । वे कहते हैं, नागोंमें श्रेष्ठ ‘अनंत’ मैं ही हूं ।
संदर्भ : श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता (अध्याय१०, श्लोक २९)
इस सूत्र के विषयमें गहन विचार करें, तो पाषाण अर्थात् पत्थर, वृक्ष अथवा प्राणीमात्र को भी इस धर्म में पूजा का प्रतीक माना गया है ।
:: नाग देवता की विशेषताएं ::
१. नाग क्षेत्रपाल देवताओंमें से एक हैं । क्षेत्रपालदेवता अर्थात् क्षेत्रकी रक्षाकरनेवाले देवता ।
२. नागका संबंध भूमिकी उपजाऊ शक्तिके साथ जोडा गया है ।
३. नाग इच्छासे संबंधित देवता हैं । वे इच्छाके प्रवर्तक अर्थात् सकाम इच्छाओंकी पूर्ति करनेवाले कनिष्ठ देवता हैं ।
४. नाग पवित्रकोंके समूहका प्रतीक है । पवित्रक अर्थात् ईश्वरीय चैतन्यके सूक्ष्मातिसूक्ष्म कण । ईश्वर चैतन्यस्वरूप हैं । हिंदु धर्मके अनुसार नाग अनेक देवताओंके रूपसे संबंधित हैं । भगवान शिवजीने नौ नाग धारण किए हैं, तो भगवान विष्णु प्रत्येक कल्पके अंतमें महासागरमें शेषासनपर शयन करते हैं । श्रीगणेशजीने भी पेटपर नाग धारण किया हैं ।
५. नाग पवित्रकोंका समूह है । अर्थात् वे सूक्ष्म होते हैं और जिन्हें हम अपने नेत्रोंद्वारा अर्थात् स्थूल दृष्टिसे देखते हैं, वे नाग इन पवित्रकोंके समूहका प्रतिकात्मक स्थूल रूप है । इन नागोमे देवताका रूप देखनेके कारण पूजकको आध्यात्मिक लाभ होते हैं ।
६. नाग ब्रह्मचर्यका प्रतीक हैं, वे बमीठेमे रहते हैं । जिस व्यक्तीके हाथोमे बमीठा तोडा जाता है अथवा नाग मारा जाता है, उसे नाग शाप देते हैं ।
७. नागके शापकी तीव्रता अत्यधिक होती है । हमारे पूर्वजोंके हाथों यदि ऐसा अपराध हुआ हो, तो उसके संपूर्ण वंशको यह शाप भुगतना पडता है । यह शाप दूर हो; इसलिए अनेक विधियां की जाती हैं । इसके उदाहरण है, आश्लेशा बली, काल सर्प शांति जैसे विधि । इन विधियोंमें नागको बली चढाया जाता है । परंतु यहां ध्यान रखिए की, यह बली प्रतिकात्मक होती है । इसमे चावल, गेहूं अथवा तिलके आटेसे नागकी आकृति बनाई जाती है और गत कालमें मारे गए नागको आवाहन किया जाता है ।
८. पृथ्वीपर जब अधर्म बढता है, तब दुर्जनोद्वारा अत्याधिक कष्ट दिए जाते हैं । इस कारण साधकोंके लिए साधना करना कठिन हो जाता है । तब दुर्जनोंका विनाश करने हेतु ईश्वर प्रत्यक्ष रूप धारण कर जन्म लेते हैं । ईश्वरके इसी प्रत्यक्ष रूपको अवतार कहते हैं । ईश्वरका यह अवतार रूप दुर्जनोंका विनाश कर धर्म संस्थापना करते हैं । यह धर्म संस्थापनाका कार्य ही अवतार कार्य है । जब ईश्वर अवतार लेते हैं, तब उनके साथ अन्य देवता भी अवतार लेते हैं एवं ईश्वरके धर्म संस्थापनाके कार्यमें सहायता करते हैं । उस समय नागदेवता भी उनके साथ होते हैं । जैसे, त्रेतायुगमें भगवान श्रीविष्णुने राम अवतार धारण किया तब शेषनाग लक्ष्मणके रूपमें अवतरित हुए । द्वापर युगमें भगवान श्रीविष्णुने श्रीकृष्णका अवतार लिया । उस समय शेषनाग बलराम के रूपमें अवतरित हुए ।
::Tithi ::
Shravan Shukla Panchami (Fifth day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Shravan).
:: History ::
The first reference of naga or sarpa or Ahi(h) is found in the Rigveda, First Mandala. Here Ahih is described as the ruler of the entire water world. Indra killed him so that the Earth could get clouds and rain and people could live in peace. The best Vedic reference is available in Sukla Yajurveda: Adhyaya 13, Mantras no 06--10. The Yajur-Veda provides a more definite account of serpent-worship; the Samhita of this Veda contains prayers to the Sarpas who are addressed as denizens of the heavens, the skies, the rays of the sun, the waters, the vegetables and the like. In the Brahmanas of the Samhita part of the Yajur-Veda, invocations are addressed to serpents and sweet sacrifices are offered for their acceptance. In the Atharveda Veda, there is a reference of Sarpa yajna in Kanda 05, Anuvaka 03. These are references of snake worship only. Many scholars have detected traces of snake-worship in the 8th Ashtaka of the Rig Veda, where in the earth is addressed as the Sarpa-rajni or "the queen of the serpents or the queen of all that moves".
Manu, the ancient law-giver of the Hindus also makes mention of the Nagas and the Sarpas.
Carved or painted figures of snakes can be found on the walls of many Hindu temples that exist from the medieval era. Images of snake worship rituals can also be spotted in the world famous Ajanta caves. Detailed description of the cobra snakes can also be seen in the Arthasastra, the classic ancient Hindu political text by the great Hindu philosopher Chanakya (300 BC).
The custom of snake-worship is also believed to have come from the "Naga" clan, a highly developed tribe who lived in ancient India. The Indus Valley civilisation of 3000 B.C. gives ample proof of the popularity of snake-worship amongst the Nagas, whose culture was fairly wide-spread in India.
The mention of the Nagas and the Sarpas is also found in the Mahabharata. In the sacred Hindu text BhagavadGita, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that He is Vasuki amogst Sarpas and Ananta amonst the Nagas.
One needs to keep in mind that Nagapanchami is basically a Pouranic concept. The Hindu Puranas mention Nagas and the Sarpas in detail. In the Bhagavata Purana, Vasuki and eleven other Nagas are mentioned as forming the string of the sun's chariot, one serpent being held to be sacred to each month. The Markandeya Purana embodies the well-known story of the marriage of Madalasa, a Naga princess of superb beauty, with King Kulvalasva.
In all the Puranas, there is a chapter dedicated to creation. Legend has it that, Prajapati Brahma, the creator, created his son 'Kashyapa'. Prajapati Daksha gave many of his daughters in marriage to Sage Kashyapa. His last daughter Kadru gave birth to Nagas and sarpas. Thus the sarpas are of celestial origin.
Reasons for the festival at this time:
To understand the history of the festival, the time of its observance should also be kept in mind. Nagapanchami is observed in the month of Shravana (July/August), the advent of the rainy season in many parts of India. It is the time when snakes leave their holes in the flooded fields and jungles and enter the habitations of men - thereby throwing them into great consternation. It is during this period that the greatest number of deaths from snake-bites occur. The people of the countryside labor under the impression that the only way of obtaining immunity from snakebite is by propitiating the snake-goddess Manasa.
It is also the beginning of the harvest season. In India the reaping of the harvest is largely a manual operation and farmers have to work in the fields, thus exposing themselves to the bites of poisonous snakes lurking unseen among the dense crop. This fear seems to be the main cause for Nagapanchami celebrations. Propitiating the snake god provides some psychological succour to the poor rural folk whose main occupation remains agriculture.
Legends:
1. Story from the Hindu epic Mahabharata)
Once upon a time, a great king Parikshit died due to the bite of a snake called Takshak. To seek revenge of his father's death Janmejay, who is also known as the first ruler of the era of Kalyug performed a Nag Yajna, which would kill all snakes and make the universe free of snakes. Due to this Yajna many snakes died.
Vasuki, the King of the snake, was extremely worried. He went to his sister Jaratkaru and said, "Sister, I feel as if I am burning. I am feeling faint and my resistance to the fire of the Yajna is weakening. I am being pulled towards the fire and I feel that I shall soon be drawn into the fire as well. I was anticipating that such an incident might happen, and hence I got you married to Rishi Jaratkaru. Now, you are the only one who can save us. According to the prophecy of Lord Brahma, only your son Aasteek will be able stop this Yajna. I know that he is still a boy; but he is a great scholar of the Vedas and is loved by all his elders. I request you to ask him to save our lives now, otherwise all the snakes will disappear from earth."
Hearing these words, Jaratkaru went to her son and requested him to save the lives of the snakes. Aasteek went back to Vasuki and said, "O, King of the snakes, do not fear. I shall help you to get rid of the curse. I shall go to King Janmejaya and impress him with my knowledge and request him to stop the yajna."
Thus assuring Vasuki, Aasteek left for the venue of the Yajna. When he reached there he saw all the eminent people sitting there. But he was not allowed to go inside by the sentries. Aasteek then started to sing hymns in praise of the Yajna so that he would be allowed inside.
The sweet voice of Aasteek reached Janmejaya and he gave him permission to attend the Yajna and called him inside the premises. Once inside, Aasteek sang praises of all those who were present there and this pleased the congregation.
Pleased, Janmejaya thought that the boy deserved to granted a wish as he was mature for his age and a great scholar. He asked the advice of the wise sages present there regarding this. All the wise men unanimously declared that since the boy was a brahmin and a scholar at that, he was venerable.
Having obtained the counsel of the wise men, Janmejaya then requested all those learned sages to ensure that his Yajna was successful and that soon Takshak (the snake who had bitten his father, Parikshit), should fall into the fires of the Yajna and die. The wise men at the Yajna told Janmejaya that Takshak had gone to Indra (the King of the Gods) and Indra had promised full protection to Takshak.
Upon hearing this, Janmejaya requested the sages and priests to chant such a powerful mantra that even Indra would be powerless before it and would fall into the fire with Takshak. The priests started chanting the most potent mantras and soon both Takshak along with Indra were pulled towards the fire. Afraid that he would also die, Indra left Takshak to fend for himself. Takshak started to be pulled towards the fire with each passing minute.
Now that Janmejaya was assured that his enemy would die, he turned to Aasteek and requested him to ask for anything that he wished for. Aasteek, seeing that Takshak would soon fall into the fire, took advantage of the situation and asked Janmejaya to stop the Snake Yajna so that the snakes who were left would survive. Janmejaya tried his best to persuade Aasteek to ask for anything other than this. Aasteek was not one to give up easily, he asked Janmejaya to stop the Yajna and also reminded him that he could not refuse what he had promised. He said that he was asking for this because he had to save his mother's clan.
Finally, Janmejaya had to relent and he stopped the Yajna. Meanwhile Aasteek stopped the rapid descent of Takshak towards the fire by chanting counter mantras. Takshak was relieved andd grateful that his life was saved and thanked Aasteek.
Having succeeded, Aasteek then went to Vasuki, his Uncle and Jaratkaru, his mother and narrated the whole incident to them.
Vasuki and the surviving snakes collectively blessed Aasteek and asked him to ask them for a boon. Aasteek said, "I will chant three mantras. I want a boon such that anyone who chants these three mantras at least once a day, should be spared death by a snake bite".
He then chanted the three Mantras called Asit, Aartiman and Suneeth. The snakes granted Aasteek his wish and it is believed that if anyone chants one of these mantras even once a day will have no fear of a snake bite.
The Mantras are as follows:
"Yo Jaratkaruna Jato Jaratkarau Mahayashah;
Aasteekah Sarpsatray vah Pannagaan Yobhyarakshat;
Tam Samarantam mahabhaga na Mam Hinsitumarhatha."
"A great sage called Aasteek was born to Saint Jaratkaru and the snake woman, Jaratkaru. Aasteek saved the snakes from the Snake Yajna. So all of you holy and lucky snakes, I am remembering him. Please do not bite me."
"Sarpapsarpa Bhadram Te Gachcha Sarpa Mahavisha;
Janmejasya Yajnante Aasteeka vachanam Smara."
"Hey, all ye holy and poisonous snakes! Please go away. May you be blessed. Remember all that Aasteek said at the end of the Snake Yajna of Janmejaya and go away now."
"Aasteekasya Vachah Shrutva Yah Sarpo na Nivartate;
shatadha bhidyate Murdhina Shinshavrikshaphalam Yatha."
"The snakes who do not return even after hearing the words of Aasteek, their hoods will be split into hundreds of pieces like the fruit of the Shisham tree"
This is how Aasteek stopped the Snake Yajna and saved the snakes from annihilation.
2. As per Hindu mythology, Prithvi (Earth) is believed to be supported by Sesh Nag (the snake on which god Vishnu sleeps). Therefore the worship of snakes is in gratitude to Sesh Nag.
3. The festival of Nāga Panchami is celebrated by Hindus to pay respect to Nāgas. The five Nāgas worshipped on Nag Panchami are Ananta, Vāsuki, Taxak, Karkotaka and Pingala.
4. Nag Panchami is also connected with the following legend of Krishna One day, young Krishna was playing with the other cowboys, when suddenly the ball got entangled in the high branch of a tree. Krishna volunteered to climb the tree and fetch the ball. But below the tree there was a deep part of the river Yamuna, in which the terrible snake Kaliya was living. Everybody was afraid of that part of the river.
Suddenly, Krishna fell from the tree into the waters. The terrible snake came out ready to attack. But Krishna was ready and jumping on the snake’s head he caught it by the neck. Kaliya understood that Krishna was not an ordinary boy, and that it would not be easy to overcome him. So Kaliya pleaded with Krishna : “Please, do not kill me.” Krishna full of compassion asked the snake to promise that henceforth he would not harass anybody. Then he let the snake go free into the river again.
On Nag Panchami day the victory of Krishna over the Kaliya snake is commemorated. For this reason Krishna is known as “Kaliya Mardan”.
5. 'Nine types of serpents - Anant, Vasuki, Shesh, Padmanabh, Kambal, Shankhapal, Dhartarashtra, Takshak and Kaliya are worshipped. As a result, fear of serpents is overcome and poisoning by venom is prevented.'
6. People believe that Lord Shiva loves and blesses snakes and so by worshipping the snakes they also try to please him.
7. The story of the snake and the farmer: A farmer was ploughing his field. At the edge of the field there was an anthill which he inadvertently destroyed with the plough, and thus the young serpents that were hiding in it were killed. The mother snake had casually gone out. When she came back she could not find her young ones. At last she found them cut into pieces. She was furious and understood that the farmer had killed them. She was bent on taking revenge. At night when the farmer was sleeping with his wife and children, the snake came full of anger. She began to bite the feet of the farmer, and then one by one the feet of his wife and children. All began to cry. But the eldest daughter happened to be out of the house that night. Then the snake remembered that on the occasion of her wedding, the girl had gone to the house of her father-in-law. "I will not spare her either," the snake resolved. The snake ran towards the neighbouring village. She stopped before the door of a house, and saw a young girl inside. She recognized her as the farmer’s eldest daughter. The snake went in determined to bite her. But then she saw the young girl with joint hands worshipping the snake she had made out of "gandh", and the nine "nagkule" (young snakes). She had offered them "nagane" (gram soaked and parched), "lahya" (rice blown out by parching), and "durva" (grass sacred to Ganpati), and she was praying with great devotion, "O God Snake, don’t be angry if I have committed any mistake. Accept my worship. Look after my people at home and in my father-in-law’s house. Do not bite anyone. Forgive any fault we may have committed inadvertently." With this the snake was pleased and came before the girl. She opened her eyes and got frightened at the sight of the snake. But the snake said, "Don’t be afraid. I shall not bite you. Tell me who you are and where your house is." Then the snake knew well that the girl was the farmer’s daughter and felt very sorry for having killed all her people. The snake told the girl what had happened, but told her not to cry. She gave her some nectar and told her to sprinkle it on her dead people, and with this they all came back to life
Ways of worship in various states:
Celebration varies from one state to state, though the main reson behind it is essentially the same.
* People offer cow's milk, fried paddy, rice bread and durva (tip of a special grass) in front of the pictures of Nag or make its idol in mud and sand and worship it.
* In South India on this day, married women and the girls wake up early in the morning, take head bath, arrange for puja and reach the nearest ant hill. They offer puja and milk to the Ant hill and pray to Snake God (Indian Cobra - Lord Subramanya's Incarnation) for the wellness of their brothers and their families. This day is like RakshaBandhan for South Indian Hindus. If there is no Ant Hill nearby, they offer milk and puja to the snake statues erected in the nearby temples. A portion of milk taken for puja is taken back home and offered to everyone at home as Prasad. They invite their brothers to their home. They immerse a flower in the left over milk and apply it on their brothers' back and perform Arathi for their wellbeing. They give gifts and the visiting brothers carry tokens of love for the sisters too.
* Sweets are prepared, offered to Lord and then distributed. This festival tries to bring the Sisters (married or unmarried) and their Brothers together for their common good
* In many states, people ask for alms and clothing by taking a dormant cobra in a basket from house to house.
* In Kerala, people prefer visiting the snake temples and worship the stone or metal icons of snakes and pray so that they and their families are saved from any snakebite throughout the year.
* Young girls pray and offer milk to cobras with the intention of getting a good spouse.
* It is believed that snakes remember faces and they take revenge with the whole family even if one of the member harms it. So, married women pray to save their families from any kind of harassment that can happen due to the snakes.
* People do not dig the earth this day.
* In North India, Hindus keep a fast.
* On this day, figures of Navnag (nine cobras) are drawn with turmeric or raktachandan (red sandalwood) on a wooden seat and are worshipped; they are offered naivedya of milk and parched rice. The Navnag comprise the nine major groups of pavitraks. Pavitraks are the subtlemost Divine particles.
* Devotees pour milk into the holes of the anthill and holes in the ground around the house or near the temple to propitiate the snakes. Sometimes, a small pot of milk with some flowers is placed near the holes so that the snakes may drink it. If a snake actually drinks the milk, it is considered to be extremely lucky for the devotee.
* Special dishes made of black Sesame seeds, raw rice flour & jaggery are made and offered as prasadam. Even soaked Whole channa dal & soaked rice is also offered.
Some family does not fry anything on that day. In many homes, it is forbidden to chop vegetables, fry, and make deep fried dishes.
* According to the Bhavishya Purana, when men bathe the snakes called Vasuki, Takshaka, Kaliya, Manibhadra, Airavata, Dhritarashtra, Karkotaka and Dhananjaya with milk on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Shriven, they ensure freedom from danger for their families.
Special Prayers and shlokas:
1. Nava naag Mantra:
Anantam Vasukim Shesham Padmanabham cha Kambalam
Shankhapalam Dhartarashtram Taxakam Kaliyam Tatha
Etani Navanamani cha Mahatmanam
The names of the 9 Naag Devatas - Anant, Vasuki, Shesh, Padmanabh, Kambal, Shankhapal, Dhrutrashtra, Takshak and Kalia – if prayed daily in the morning will keep one protected from all evils and helps to become victorious in life.
2. Naagaraja moola mantra
Om Naga Raja Maha Baaga
Mangalya Saukiyaprrata
Pashoon putran dhanam dehi
Om naga rajaya namo namaha
Meaning: It will remove all effects of posion, enemies, and ensure good children.
3. FOR GOOD PROGENY:
Nagaraja Namasthesthu
Haraharayitha Dehine
Hara Me Sakalan Rogan
Dada Me Sath Prajam Drisam.
MEANING: Salutations to Sri Nagaraja, who adorns Sri Siva's Body, please destroy all illness in me and bless me with good progeny (to be chanted by pregnant women) is chanted to propriate a gracious Yakshini who lives by the side of Himalays and guards pregnant women. The Navanaga slokam can be chanted at all times and by pregnant women. THIS slokam is called Navanaga stotram and is addressed to the nine divine serpents who bear the earth and protect us and our progeny.
4. Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha-3 times
Om Aaadhishenaaya Namaha
Om Ananthanaaya Namaha
Om Vaasukiye Namaha
Om ThatchagaNaaya Namaha
Om KaarkoDakanaaya Namaha
Om Padmanaaya Namaha
Om Maha Padmanaaya Namaha
Om Shankanaaya Namaha
Om Kuliganaaya Namaha
5. Sarpa Gaayathri
Om dhanShtraa PhaNaaya vidhmahE suvarNa punjaaya Dheemahi |
tannoh sarpah prachOdayath ||
6. Naagaraaja Gaayathri
BhujangEShaaya vidhmahE sarpajaathaaya Dheemahi |
tannO naagah prachOdayaath ||
7. Naaga stOtra:
The following mantras can be used either for prostrations (namaskaaras) or while feeding the snakes:
Brahma - lOkE cha yE sarpaah ShEShanaagaah purOgamaah |
namOstutEBhyah supreethaah prasannaah santhu mE sadhaa ||1||
viShNu – lOkE cha yE sarpaah vaasuki pramuKhaaShchayE
namOstutEBhyah supreethaah prasannaah santhu mE sadhaa ||2||
rudra – lOke cha yE sarpaah thakShakah pramuKhaasthaThaa |
namOstutEBhyah supreethaah prasannaah santhu mE sadhaa ||3||
========================
//sarve janah sukhinah santu
sarve santu niramayah
sarve bhadrani pashyantu
maa kashchit dukhamaaghbhavEt//
|| Nagpanchami |
|| Nag Panchmi ||
Sheshan anantan vasukin padmanabhan f kambalam.
Shangkhapalan dhritrashtran f takshkan kallen and..
Anantam Vasukim Shesham Padmanabham cha Kambalam |
Shankhapalam Dhartarashtram Taxakam Kaliyam Tatha ||
|| Nagpanchami |
Shravan Shukla panchamike day nagpanchamika Festival is celebrated. On this day nagpuja karneki tradition. Dharmamen nagpujake sandarbhamen the Hindu ancient kalse mention is found, which is a variety of kshetronmen cannot be obtained. Nagpanchami is celebrated the entire rundown Festival admission.
Nagpuja this one is child tyauharke rupmen. But the Saurashtra (Gujarat prantaka a uprashtra) is rupmen a nagpuja in waitakere. Saurashtramen it lent shravan Krishna panchamike day. This vow is the same each yearto mahki tithipar 1. Infinite, vasuki, balance etc nagonka POOJA, Brahmin cuisine is a vouchers by harvest whitaker udyapan.
:: Culture::
Our culture, animals-birds, tree-vegetation is everyone tried connecting with kindred regard. We have cow worship. There are many sisters does the Nightingale-fast. Cuckoo on his philosophy or tone of the ear only lent it to the food. We are worshipping the bull's vrishbhotsav day. Vat-Savitri is fast like the worship of the Banyan, but nag panchami snake worshipping of the day such as when we do, then the uniqueness of our culture peercast is reached.
Cows, Bulls, cuckoo worked with them by worshipping intimacy etc we are because they are useful when trying. But what comes into our nag use inverted if not the life without breaking. We are all afraid of him. Cobra began this fear would be nagpuja, so many people believe, but it doesn't seem to be compatible with our recognition culture.
Nag dev as the immensity of the heart of aryon accepting us is philosophy. ' Krinvanto vishvamaryam ', moving with the roared aryon to different acts while many had come into contact with the groups. Identified effective ideas they have had to labor to aryon.
Various groups are due to the difference in the method acts controversy is removed only if the stunning and grandiose ideas of human will accept the Vedas, was awe at aryon of akhand Bharat. To make it successful aryon runs in various different gods to worship punjon and individual punjon he got taken by assimilation. Due to these various pujas at the same time, we will nagpuja occurred, it seems.
:: India year snake-worshipping::
India was the country and krishipradhan the country. Snake farms protection does, so it adds khetarpal. Fauna, mouse etc that crop damage by the elements, they destroy the snake keeps our farms to harabhra.
Snake gives us many silent messages. We have to see the properties of the granja and snake shubhagrahi vision should be. Lord dattatreya then named was a good vision, so they were learning something from each object.
Snake bites do not typically someone unprovoked. Those annoying him or was he dansata it. Snake Lord's surgeon, he is easily without damage if, or as if it won the nirupadravi has no right to kill us. When we try to take his life, to save your life or your life tikane give it to us if it can be called evil dans is how? Try to take our Prana Prana shoppers what don't we?
The Snake is very similar to the aroma bhati. Champa plants lakeport he keeps it either is sandalwood tree. He lives in the forest of kevde phirta. It seems Indian culture dear fragrances he dear. The aroma of each human life is sadgunon, suvicharon is the of suvas suvas should us dear.
We know that snakes bites anyone without reason. Over the years, labor consolidated power i.e. poison anyone didn't want to lose only by meaningless images. We also will things in life will cause us even power asceticism. This power to angry at someone, to shock or amaze nirbalon bath do not waste the power to our development in other asmarthon in nirbalon to enable the strong to spend, which is expected to create.
By: Snake gem::
Some divine snakes on the brain is a gem. Gem is invaluable. We life priceless objects (things) should plating on the brain. Society of mukutmani such as mahapurushon should be on our brain. We should take their sedan and love their thoughts build our life according to aharnish tries to do. All discipline is manirup in which spirituality in our lives for him, being a unique attraction should be. Atmavikas is not helpful in knowing how that knowledge can be said?
Snakes of mostly solitary lives and Bill does. Why should the gathering to avert mumukshu. The Snake is an example.
By manthan dev-demons as vasuki as the means for Lord durjanon nag task has become a way for open. Come on malicious human, even if true, it could give a big cultural work in yoga and weakly continuous khatkati are such on living human to their boasting will not build too stretchy.
Work is also being added to the bhagvad if malicious the Lord also shall acknowledge the support Shiva has snakes in their throat and Vishnu is the remaining by-copulation.
To grow the overall creation of interest was exiled due to rain snakes when guest in our House comes as it is beholden to its wisdom compelled by our shelter's sake becomes. Nag panchami Festival of shravan month like this only by our sages have shown the very rationale.
The worship of the Serpent God's method::::
Nanning are too many races. There are nine famous nuking. There are some navnagastotramen as they described it-
Sheshan anantan vasukin padmanabhan f kambalan.
Shankhapalan dhritrashtran takshkan kallen and..
Eton new namani naganan f mahatmanam.
Sayankale pathennityan prelate especially..
Tasya vishbhayan nasti universally victorious bhavet..
-Navnagastotra
This means: infinite, vasuki, balance, padmanabha, blankets, shankhapal, dhritrashtra, takshak and Kalia, these nine do jatiyonke nagonki adoration. It is not sarpabhay and not vishbadha.
By: Snake God worshipping::
Pidhe on are images of the nine serpents of haldi. Vasuki was infinite, as described in verses ... more It is made of a snake as avahan. Then harvest their shodshopchar POOJA is performed. They are milk and khilon of nevada invoked. Some places raktachandan in place of the nine serpents of haldi images are created. Raktachandan is more similar to Cobra in coldness. Cobra westwick caused bamithe sattvapradhan (nagke House) in the annulus and radicals remain employed. Bamithe is employed to power around.
:: विधि ::
• Morning got up to go to the nityakarm retired from house cleaning.
• After cleaning, clean bath robes.
• Worshipping to create fresh food-rice vermicelli etc. In some parts of the day keep nagpanchami is food and goes rancid nagpanchami day dinner.
• It has ocher potocari on plaster is made instead of worshipping. Then has ocher from coal in raw milk ghiskar puti plaster to make the home and make it the contours of several nagdevon.
• A few places on gold, silver, lumbar and pen of mud and turmeric and sandalwood inks or dung House main door both by the nagdev hammered five fun baglon worship.
• First ascended a bowl of milk in the Bambi of serpents come.
• And then plaster made of nagdevta dadhi, durva, kusha, smell, virginal, flower, water, raw milk, Roli and rice vermicelli and mishthan by their worshipping etc due to promulgate.
• Should the narrative by hearing after the aarti.
Dig the Earth whole shravan month especially nagpanchami is prohibited. To this day the fast khilai and milk pudding by snakes are fed. Somewhere-anywhere sawan month Krishna nag panchami is celebrated on panchami side is. The White Lotus in the worship.
:: The nagpanchami day::
• Philosophy of the day must nagdev.
• Bambi (nagdev's Habitat) should worship.
• Must also decide the nagdev milk.
• Nagdev's fragrant flower and sandalwood must worship only because the aroma is dear nagdev.
• To chant OM phat carlock. Yeh Sunday Kyun AATA Hai sarpavish away.
:: Nagdevtaki worship and their features:
Why is pujaka symbol nagko?
Some logonke manmen this question arises, that is it a worship karneki â praniyonki method? And for this reason they consider the following upasnapaddhatiko pichda Hindu dharmadvara happened. But the truth is that, the srishtike are srishtika each particle ishvarse particle kanmen God is rife, this knowledge is put to the vishvako Hindu dharmane. Kathnadvara your shrikrishnajine God gitamen confirm this batki is of vibhuti. He says, I am the best "infinite" nanning.
Reference: shrimadbhagvadgita (adhyay10, verses 29)
Consider vishyamen this formula-intensive, so the stone i.e. stones, tree or worship the Dharma in premantura also has symbol.
By: Snake-God features::
1. snake khetarpal of devtaonmen. Kshetrapaldevta IE kshetraki rakshakranevale God.
2. with regard bhumiki has added to the fertile shaktike nagka.
3. snake ichchase are related to God. They fill out the sponsor i.e. sakam ichchake ichchaonki by junior are gods.
4. snake petrunkevitch is samuhka. Conchita sukshmatisukshm namely divine particle petrovic. God chaitanyasvarup them. There are several Hindu according dharmake snake devtaonke rupse related. God made the shivjine holds nine Serpent God Vishnu are each kalpake antamen sheshasnapar bedroom memorizing. Shrigneshjine also have holding pratap snake.
5. snake petrunkevitch group. I.e. they are subtle and we see macro drishtise netrondvara i.e., they nag samuhka pratikatmak macro form these petrunkevitch. These nagome are view reason pujkako devtaka as spiritual benefits.
6. snake brahmacharyaka icons, they are bamitheme. The vyaktike hathome is hit or nag bamitha toda, tend to curse her snake.
7. nagke shapki is excessive intensity. Our purvajonke hands if it happened to be the perfect crime vanshako is it does suffer the curse. This curse to get away; So are a number of methods. In example, ashlesha participated, CAL snake peace such as law. These vidhiyonmen are chadhaya nagko participated. But here note, it is pratikatmak participated. This includes rice, wheat or tilke atese nagki shape is created and used for the last killing kalmen nagko avahan.
8. prithvipar is durjanodvara also increases when the wrongdoing is too are suffering. This is the reason for the silence is difficult to sadhkonke. Then durjanonka holds God directly to destruction are born. Ishvarke rupko the same direct avatar says. Ishvarka it will make religion as the avatar durjanonka destruction Foundation. This religion is sansthapnaka action avatar. When God take avatar, then their other gods also take avatar & ishvarke religion sansthapnake assist carmine. At that time are nagdevta along. For example, tretayugmen God shrivishnune rupmen download lakshmanke then be holding RAM Avtar, beyond sheshnag had exacted. Yugmen God shrivishnune shrikrishnaka took the avatar dvapar era. At that time, to promote the rupmen of balarama beyond sheshnag had exacted.
Nag Panchmi is a Hindu festival celebrated all over India with vigor and devotion. It is believed to be one of the most auspicious days of the entire year. This day is dedicated to the worship of snakes. Worshipping forces of nature has been a part of Hinduism from ancient times. Festivals are based on geography, seasons, position of stars, and much more. They are intertwined with stories and legends that add a sense of awe and devotion and firm up ones faith.
::Tithi ::
Shravan Shukla Panchami (Fifth day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Shravan).
:: History ::
The first reference of naga or sarpa or Ahi(h) is found in the Rigveda, First Mandala. Here Ahih is described as the ruler of the entire water world. Indra killed him so that the Earth could get clouds and rain and people could live in peace. The best Vedic reference is available in Sukla Yajurveda: Adhyaya 13, Mantras no 06--10. The Yajur-Veda provides a more definite account of serpent-worship; the Samhita of this Veda contains prayers to the Sarpas who are addressed as denizens of the heavens, the skies, the rays of the sun, the waters, the vegetables and the like. In the Brahmanas of the Samhita part of the Yajur-Veda, invocations are addressed to serpents and sweet sacrifices are offered for their acceptance. In the Atharveda Veda, there is a reference of Sarpa yajna in Kanda 05, Anuvaka 03. These are references of snake worship only. Many scholars have detected traces of snake-worship in the 8th Ashtaka of the Rig Veda, where in the earth is addressed as the Sarpa-rajni or "the queen of the serpents or the queen of all that moves".
Manu, the ancient law-giver of the Hindus also makes mention of the Nagas and the Sarpas.
Carved or painted figures of snakes can be found on the walls of many Hindu temples that exist from the medieval era. Images of snake worship rituals can also be spotted in the world famous Ajanta caves. Detailed description of the cobra snakes can also be seen in the Arthasastra, the classic ancient Hindu political text by the great Hindu philosopher Chanakya (300 BC).
The custom of snake-worship is also believed to have come from the "Naga" clan, a highly developed tribe who lived in ancient India. The Indus Valley civilisation of 3000 B.C. gives ample proof of the popularity of snake-worship amongst the Nagas, whose culture was fairly wide-spread in India.
The mention of the Nagas and the Sarpas is also found in the Mahabharata. In the sacred Hindu text BhagavadGita, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that He is Vasuki amogst Sarpas and Ananta amonst the Nagas.
One needs to keep in mind that Nagapanchami is basically a Pouranic concept. The Hindu Puranas mention Nagas and the Sarpas in detail. In the Bhagavata Purana, Vasuki and eleven other Nagas are mentioned as forming the string of the sun's chariot, one serpent being held to be sacred to each month. The Markandeya Purana embodies the well-known story of the marriage of Madalasa, a Naga princess of superb beauty, with King Kulvalasva.
In all the Puranas, there is a chapter dedicated to creation. Legend has it that, Prajapati Brahma, the creator, created his son 'Kashyapa'. Prajapati Daksha gave many of his daughters in marriage to Sage Kashyapa. His last daughter Kadru gave birth to Nagas and sarpas. Thus the sarpas are of celestial origin.
Reasons for the festival at this time:
To understand the history of the festival, the time of its observance should also be kept in mind. Nagapanchami is observed in the month of Shravana (July/August), the advent of the rainy season in many parts of India. It is the time when snakes leave their holes in the flooded fields and jungles and enter the habitations of men - thereby throwing them into great consternation. It is during this period that the greatest number of deaths from snake-bites occur. The people of the countryside labor under the impression that the only way of obtaining immunity from snakebite is by propitiating the snake-goddess Manasa.
It is also the beginning of the harvest season. In India the reaping of the harvest is largely a manual operation and farmers have to work in the fields, thus exposing themselves to the bites of poisonous snakes lurking unseen among the dense crop. This fear seems to be the main cause for Nagapanchami celebrations. Propitiating the snake god provides some psychological succour to the poor rural folk whose main occupation remains agriculture.
Legends:
1. Story from the Hindu epic Mahabharata)
Once upon a time, a great king Parikshit died due to the bite of a snake called Takshak. To seek revenge of his father's death Janmejay, who is also known as the first ruler of the era of Kalyug performed a Nag Yajna, which would kill all snakes and make the universe free of snakes. Due to this Yajna many snakes died.
Vasuki, the King of the snake, was extremely worried. He went to his sister Jaratkaru and said, "Sister, I feel as if I am burning. I am feeling faint and my resistance to the fire of the Yajna is weakening. I am being pulled towards the fire and I feel that I shall soon be drawn into the fire as well. I was anticipating that such an incident might happen, and hence I got you married to Rishi Jaratkaru. Now, you are the only one who can save us. According to the prophecy of Lord Brahma, only your son Aasteek will be able stop this Yajna. I know that he is still a boy; but he is a great scholar of the Vedas and is loved by all his elders. I request you to ask him to save our lives now, otherwise all the snakes will disappear from earth."
Hearing these words, Jaratkaru went to her son and requested him to save the lives of the snakes. Aasteek went back to Vasuki and said, "O, King of the snakes, do not fear. I shall help you to get rid of the curse. I shall go to King Janmejaya and impress him with my knowledge and request him to stop the yajna."
Thus assuring Vasuki, Aasteek left for the venue of the Yajna. When he reached there he saw all the eminent people sitting there. But he was not allowed to go inside by the sentries. Aasteek then started to sing hymns in praise of the Yajna so that he would be allowed inside.
The sweet voice of Aasteek reached Janmejaya and he gave him permission to attend the Yajna and called him inside the premises. Once inside, Aasteek sang praises of all those who were present there and this pleased the congregation.
Pleased, Janmejaya thought that the boy deserved to granted a wish as he was mature for his age and a great scholar. He asked the advice of the wise sages present there regarding this. All the wise men unanimously declared that since the boy was a brahmin and a scholar at that, he was venerable.
Having obtained the counsel of the wise men, Janmejaya then requested all those learned sages to ensure that his Yajna was successful and that soon Takshak (the snake who had bitten his father, Parikshit), should fall into the fires of the Yajna and die. The wise men at the Yajna told Janmejaya that Takshak had gone to Indra (the King of the Gods) and Indra had promised full protection to Takshak.
Upon hearing this, Janmejaya requested the sages and priests to chant such a powerful mantra that even Indra would be powerless before it and would fall into the fire with Takshak. The priests started chanting the most potent mantras and soon both Takshak along with Indra were pulled towards the fire. Afraid that he would also die, Indra left Takshak to fend for himself. Takshak started to be pulled towards the fire with each passing minute.
Now that Janmejaya was assured that his enemy would die, he turned to Aasteek and requested him to ask for anything that he wished for. Aasteek, seeing that Takshak would soon fall into the fire, took advantage of the situation and asked Janmejaya to stop the Snake Yajna so that the snakes who were left would survive. Janmejaya tried his best to persuade Aasteek to ask for anything other than this. Aasteek was not one to give up easily, he asked Janmejaya to stop the Yajna and also reminded him that he could not refuse what he had promised. He said that he was asking for this because he had to save his mother's clan.
Finally, Janmejaya had to relent and he stopped the Yajna. Meanwhile Aasteek stopped the rapid descent of Takshak towards the fire by chanting counter mantras. Takshak was relieved andd grateful that his life was saved and thanked Aasteek.
Having succeeded, Aasteek then went to Vasuki, his Uncle and Jaratkaru, his mother and narrated the whole incident to them.
Vasuki and the surviving snakes collectively blessed Aasteek and asked him to ask them for a boon. Aasteek said, "I will chant three mantras. I want a boon such that anyone who chants these three mantras at least once a day, should be spared death by a snake bite".
He then chanted the three Mantras called Asit, Aartiman and Suneeth. The snakes granted Aasteek his wish and it is believed that if anyone chants one of these mantras even once a day will have no fear of a snake bite.
The Mantras are as follows:
"Yo Jaratkaruna Jato Jaratkarau Mahayashah;
Aasteekah Sarpsatray vah Pannagaan Yobhyarakshat;
There Samarantam mahabhaga on My Hinsitumarhatha. "
"A great sage called Aasteek was born to Saint Jaratkaru and the snake woman, Jaratkaru. Aasteek saved the snakes from the Snake Yajna. So all of you holy and lucky snakes, I am remembering him. Please do not bite me."
"Sarpapsarpa Bhadram Te Gachcha Sarpa Mahavisha;
Janmejasya Yajnante Aasteeka vachanam Smara."
"Hey, all ye holy and poisonous snakes! Please go away. May you be blessed. Remember all that Aasteek said at the end of the Snake Yajna of Janmejaya and go away now."
"Aasteekasya Vachah Shrutva Yah Sarpo na Nivartate;
shatadha bhidyate Murdhina Shinshavrikshaphalam Yatha."
"The snakes who do not return even after hearing the words of Aasteek, their hoods will be split into hundreds of pieces like the fruit of the Shisham tree"
This is how Aasteek stopped the Snake Yajna and saved the snakes from annihilation.
2. As per Hindu mythology, Prithvi (Earth) is believed to be supported by Sesh Nag (the snake on which god Vishnu sleeps). Therefore the worship of snakes is in gratitude to Sesh Nag.
3. The festival of Nāga Panchami is celebrated by Hindus to pay respect to Nāgas. The five Nāgas worshipped on Nag Panchami are Ananta, Vāsuki, Taxak, Karkotaka and Pingala.
4. Nag Panchami is also connected with the following legend of Krishna One day, young Krishna was playing with the other cowboys, when suddenly the ball got entangled in the high branch of a tree. Krishna volunteered to climb the tree and fetch the ball. But below the tree there was a deep part of the river Yamuna, in which the terrible snake Kaliya was living. Everybody was afraid of that part of the river.
Suddenly, Krishna fell from the tree into the waters. The terrible snake came out ready to attack. But Krishna was ready and jumping on the snake’s head he caught it by the neck. Kaliya understood that Krishna was not an ordinary boy, and that it would not be easy to overcome him. So Kaliya pleaded with Krishna : “Please, do not kill me.” Krishna full of compassion asked the snake to promise that henceforth he would not harass anybody. Then he let the snake go free into the river again.
On Nag Panchami day the victory of Krishna over the Kaliya snake is commemorated. For this reason Krishna is known as “Kaliya Mardan”.
5. 'Nine types of serpents - Anant, Vasuki, Shesh, Padmanabh, Kambal, Shankhapal, Dhartarashtra, Takshak and Kaliya are worshipped. As a result, fear of serpents is overcome and poisoning by venom is prevented.'
6. People believe that Lord Shiva loves and blesses snakes and so by worshipping the snakes they also try to please him.
7. The story of the snake and the farmer: A farmer was ploughing his field. At the edge of the field there was an anthill which he inadvertently destroyed with the plough, and thus the young serpents that were hiding in it were killed. The mother snake had casually gone out. When she came back she could not find her young ones. At last she found them cut into pieces. She was furious and understood that the farmer had killed them. She was bent on taking revenge. At night when the farmer was sleeping with his wife and children, the snake came full of anger. She began to bite the feet of the farmer, and then one by one the feet of his wife and children. All began to cry. But the eldest daughter happened to be out of the house that night. Then the snake remembered that on the occasion of her wedding, the girl had gone to the house of her father-in-law. "I will not spare her either," the snake resolved. The snake ran towards the neighbouring village. She stopped before the door of a house, and saw a young girl inside. She recognized her as the farmer’s eldest daughter. The snake went in determined to bite her. But then she saw the young girl with joint hands worshipping the snake she had made out of "gandh", and the nine "nagkule" (young snakes). She had offered them "nagane" (gram soaked and parched), "lahya" (rice blown out by parching), and "durva" (grass sacred to Ganpati), and she was praying with great devotion, "O God Snake, don’t be angry if I have committed any mistake. Accept my worship. Look after my people at home and in my father-in-law’s house. Do not bite anyone. Forgive any fault we may have committed inadvertently." With this the snake was pleased and came before the girl. She opened her eyes and got frightened at the sight of the snake. But the snake said, "Don’t be afraid. I shall not bite you. Tell me who you are and where your house is." Then the snake knew well that the girl was the farmer’s daughter and felt very sorry for having killed all her people. The snake told the girl what had happened, but told her not to cry. She gave her some nectar and told her to sprinkle it on her dead people, and with this they all came back to life
Ways of worship in various states:
Celebration varies from one state to state, though the main reson behind it is essentially the same.
* People offer cow's milk, fried paddy, rice bread and durva (tip of a special grass) in front of the pictures of Nag or make its idol in mud and sand and worship it.
* In South India on this day, married women and the girls wake up early in the morning, take head bath, arrange for puja and reach the nearest ant hill. They offer puja and milk to the Ant hill and pray to Snake God (Indian Cobra - Lord Subramanya's Incarnation) for the wellness of their brothers and their families. This day is like RakshaBandhan for South Indian Hindus. If there is no Ant Hill nearby, they offer milk and puja to the snake statues erected in the nearby temples. A portion of milk taken for puja is taken back home and offered to everyone at home as Prasad. They invite their brothers to their home. They immerse a flower in the left over milk and apply it on their brothers' back and perform Arathi for their wellbeing. They give gifts and the visiting brothers carry tokens of love for the sisters too.
* Sweets are prepared, offered to Lord and then distributed. This festival tries to bring the Sisters (married or unmarried) and their Brothers together for their common good
* In many states, people ask for alms and clothing by taking a dormant cobra in a basket from house to house.
* In Kerala, people prefer visiting the snake temples and worship the stone or metal icons of snakes and pray so that they and their families are saved from any snakebite throughout the year.
* Young girls pray and offer milk to cobras with the intention of getting a good spouse.
* It is believed that snakes remember faces and they take revenge with the whole family even if one of the member harms it. So, married women pray to save their families from any kind of harassment that can happen due to the snakes.
* People do not dig the earth this day.
* In North India, Hindus keep a fast.
* On this day, figures of Navnag (nine cobras) are drawn with turmeric or raktachandan (red sandalwood) on a wooden seat and are worshipped; they are offered naivedya of milk and parched rice. The Navnag comprise the nine major groups of pavitraks. Pavitraks are the subtlemost Divine particles.
* Devotees pour milk into the holes of the anthill and holes in the ground around the house or near the temple to propitiate the snakes. Sometimes, a small pot of milk with some flowers is placed near the holes so that the snakes may drink it. If a snake actually drinks the milk, it is considered to be extremely lucky for the devotee.
* Special dishes made of black Sesame seeds, raw rice flour & jaggery are made and offered as prasadam. Even soaked Whole channa dal & soaked rice is also offered.
Some family does not fry anything on that day. In many homes, it is forbidden to chop vegetables, fry, and make deep fried dishes.
* According to the Bhavishya Purana, when men bathe the snakes called Vasuki, Takshaka, Kaliya, Manibhadra, Airavata, Dhritarashtra, Karkotaka and Dhananjaya with milk on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Shriven, they ensure freedom from danger for their families.
Special Prayers and shlokas:
1. Nava naag Mantra:
Anantam Vasukim Shesham Padmanabham cha Kambalam
Shankhapalam Dhartarashtram Taxakam Kaliyam Tatha
Etani Navanamani cha Mahatmanam
The names of the 9 Naag Devatas - Anant, Vasuki, Shesh, Padmanabh, Kambal, Shankhapal, Dhrutrashtra, Takshak and Kalia – if prayed daily in the morning will keep one protected from all evils and helps to become victorious in life.
2. Naagaraja moola mantra
Om Naga Raja Maha Baaga
Mangalya Saukiyaprrata
Pashoon putran dhanam dehi
Om naga rajaya namo namaha
Meaning: It will remove all effects of posion, enemies, and ensure good children.
3. FOR GOOD PROGENY:
Nagaraja Namasthesthu
Haraharayitha Dehine
Hara Me Sakalan Rogan
Dada Me Sath Prajam Drisam.
MEANING: Salutations to Sri Nagaraja, who adorns Sri Siva's Body, please destroy all illness in me and bless me with good progeny (to be chanted by pregnant women) is chanted to propriate a gracious Yakshini who lives by the side of Himalays and guards pregnant women. The Navanaga slokam can be chanted at all times and by pregnant women. THIS slokam is called Navanaga stotram and is addressed to the nine divine serpents who bear the earth and protect us and our progeny.
4. Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha-3 times
Om Aaadhishenaaya Namaha
Om Ananthanaaya Namaha
Om Vaasukiye Namaha
Om ThatchagaNaaya Namaha
Om KaarkoDakanaaya Namaha
Om Padmanaaya Namaha
Om Maha Padmanaaya Namaha
Om Shankanaaya Namaha
Om Kuliganaaya Namaha
5. Sarpa Gaayathri
Om dhanShtraa PhaNaaya vidhmahE suvarNa punjaaya Dheemahi |
tannoh sarpah prachOdayath ||
6. Naagaraaja Gaayathri
BhujangEShaaya vidhmahE sarpajaathaaya Dheemahi |
tannO naagah prachOdayaath ||
7. Naaga stOtra:
The following mantras can be used either for prostrations (namaskaaras) or while feeding the snakes:
Brahma - lOkE cha yE sarpaah ShEShanaagaah purOgamaah |
namOstutEBhyah supreethaah prasannaah santhu mE sadhaa ||1||
viShNu – lOkE cha yE sarpaah vaasuki pramuKhaaShchayE
namOstutEBhyah supreethaah prasannaah santhu mE sadhaa ||2||
rudra – lOke cha yE sarpaah thakShakah pramuKhaasthaThaa |
namOstutEBhyah supreethaah prasannaah santhu mE sadhaa ||3||
========================
//sarve janah sukhinah santu
sarve santu niramayah
sarve bhadrani pashyantu
maa kashchit dukhamaaghbhavEt//
श्रावण शुक्ल पंचमीके दिन नागपंचमीका त्यौहार मनाया जाता है । इस दिन नागपूजा करनेकी परंपरा है । प्राचीन कालसे ही हिंदु धर्ममें नागपूजाके संदर्भमें उल्लेख पाया जाता है, जो भारतके विभिन्न क्षेत्रोंमें की जाती है । नागपंचमी संपूर्ण भारतमें मनाया जानेवाला त्यौहार है ।
नागपूजा यह एक त्यौहारके रूपमें मनाई जाती है । परंतु सौराष्ट्र (गुजरात प्रांतका एक उपराष्ट्र) में नागपूजा एक व्रतके रूपमें की जाती है । सौराष्ट्रमें यह व्रत श्रावण कृष्ण पंचमीके दिन करते हैं । यह व्रत प्रत्येक माहकी उसी तिथिपर १ वर्षतक किया जाता है । अनंत, वासुकी, शेष इत्यादि नागोंका पूजन, ब्राह्मण भोजन देकर एक वर्षके उपरांत व्रतका उद्यापन किया जाता है ।
:: संस्कृति ::
हमारी संस्कृति ने पशु-पक्षी, वृक्ष-वनस्पति सबके साथ आत्मीय संबंध जोड़ने का प्रयत्न किया है। हमारे यहां गाय की पूजा होती है। कई बहनें कोकिला-व्रत करती हैं। कोयल के दर्शन हो अथवा उसका स्वर कान पर पड़े तब ही भोजन लेना, ऐसा यह व्रत है। हमारे यहाँ वृषभोत्सव के दिन बैल का पूजन किया जाता है। वट-सावित्री जैसे व्रत में बरगद की पूजा होती है, परन्तु नाग पंचमी जैसे दिन नाग का पूजन जब हम करते हैं, तब तो हमारी संस्कृति की विशिष्टता पराकाष्टा पर पहुंच जाती है।
गाय, बैल, कोयल इत्यादि का पूजन करके उनके साथ आत्मीयता साधने का हम प्रयत्न करते हैं, क्योंकि वे उपयोगी हैं। लेकिन नाग हमारे किस उपयोग में आता है, उल्टे यदि काटे तो जान लिए बिना न रहे। हम सब उससे डरते हैं। नाग के इस डर से नागपूजा शुरू हुई होगी, ऐसा कई लोग मानते हैं, परन्तु यह मान्यता हमारी संस्कृति से सुसंगत नहीं लगती।
नाग को देव के रूप में स्वीकार करने में आर्यों के हृदय की विशालता का हमें दर्शन होता है। 'कृण्वन्तो विश्वमार्यम्' इस गर्जना के साथ आगे बढ़ते हुए आर्यों को भिन्न-भिन्न उपासना करते हुए अनेक समूहों के संपर्क में आना पड़ा। वेदों के प्रभावी विचार उनके पास पहुँचाने के लिए आर्यों को अत्यधिक परिश्रम करना पड़ा।
विभिन्न समूहों को उपासना विधि में रहे फर्क के कारण होने वाले विवाद को यदि निकाल दिया जाए तो मानव मात्र वेदों के तेजस्वी और भव्य विचारों को स्वीकार करेगा, इस पर आर्यों की अखण्ड श्रद्धा थी। इसको सफल बनाने के लिए आर्यों ने अलग-अलग पुंजों में चलती विभिन्न देवताओं की पूजा को स्वीकार किया और अलग-अलग पुंजों को उन्होंने आत्मसात करके अपने में मिला लिया। इन विभिन्न पूजाओं को स्वीकार करने के कारण ही हमें नागपूजा प्राप्त हुई होगी, ऐसा लगता है।
:: भारत वर्ष में सर्प पूजन ::
भारत देश कृषिप्रधान देश था और है। सांप खेतों का रक्षण करता है, इसलिए उसे क्षेत्रपाल कहते हैं। जीव-जंतु, चूहे आदि जो फसल को नुकसान करने वाले तत्व हैं, उनका नाश करके सांप हमारे खेतों को हराभरा रखता है।
साँप हमें कई मूक संदेश भी देता है। साँप के गुण देखने की हमारे पास गुणग्राही और शुभग्राही दृष्टि होनी चाहिए। भगवान दत्तात्रय की ऐसी शुभ दृष्टि थी, इसलिए ही उन्हें प्रत्येक वस्तु से कुछ न कुछ सीख मिली।
साँप सामान्यतया किसी को अकारण नहीं काटता। उसे परेशान करने वाले को या छेड़ने वालों को ही वह डंसता है। साँप भी प्रभु का सर्जन है, वह यदि नुकसान किए बिना सरलता से जाता हो, या निरुपद्रवी बनकर जीता हो तो उसे मारने का हमें कोई अधिकार नहीं है। जब हम उसके प्राण लेने का प्रयत्न करते हैं, तब अपने प्राण बचाने के लिए या अपना जीवन टिकाने के लिए यदि वह हमें डँस दे तो उसे दुष्ट कैसे कहा जा सकता है? हमारे प्राण लेने वालों के प्राण लेने का प्रयत्न क्या हम नहीं करते?
साँप को सुगंध बहुत ही भाती है। चंपा के पौधे को लिपटकर वह रहता है या तो चंदन के वृक्ष पर वह निवास करता है। केवड़े के वन में भी वह फिरता रहता है। उसे सुगंध प्रिय लगती है, इसलिए भारतीय संस्कृति को वह प्रिय है। प्रत्येक मानव को जीवन में सद्गुणों की सुगंध आती है, सुविचारों की सुवास आती है, वह सुवास हमें प्रिय होनी चाहिए।
हम जानते हैं कि साँप बिना कारण किसी को नहीं काटता। वर्षों परिश्रम संचित शक्ति यानी जहर वह किसी को यों ही काटकर व्यर्थ खो देना नहीं चाहता। हम भी जीवन में कुछ तप करेंगे तो उससे हमें भी शक्ति पैदा होगी। यह शक्ति किसी पर गुस्सा करने में, निर्बलों को हैरान करने में या अशक्तों को दुःख देने में व्यर्थ न कर उस शक्ति को हमारा विकास करने में, दूसरे असमर्थों को समर्थ बनाने में, निर्बलों को सबल बनाने में खर्च करें, यही अपेक्षित है।
:: सर्प मणि ::
कुछ दैवी साँपों के मस्तिष्क पर मणि होती है। मणि अमूल्य होती है। हमें भी जीवन में अमूल्य वस्तुओं को (बातों को) मस्तिष्क पर चढ़ाना चाहिए। समाज के मुकुटमणि जैसे महापुरुषों का स्थान हमारे मस्तिष्क पर होना चाहिए। हमें प्रेम से उनकी पालकी उठानी चाहिए और उनके विचारों के अनुसार हमारे जीवन का निर्माण करने का अहर्निश प्रयत्न करना चाहिए। सर्व विद्याओं में मणिरूप जो अध्यात्म विद्या है, उसके लिए हमारे जीवन में अनोखा आकर्षण होना चाहिए। आत्मविकास में सहायक न हो, उस ज्ञान को ज्ञान कैसे कहा जा सकता है?
साँप बिल में रहता है और अधिकांशतः एकान्त का सेवन करता है। इसलिए मुमुक्षु को जनसमूह को टालना चाहिए। इस बारे में साँप का उदाहरण दिया जाता है।
देव-दानवों द्वारा किए गए समुद्र मंथन में साधन रूप बनकर वासुकी नाग ने दुर्जनों के लिए भी प्रभु कार्य में निमित्त बनने का मार्ग खुला कर दिया है। दुर्जन मानव भी यदि सच्चे मार्ग पर आए तो वह सांस्कृतिक कार्य में अपना बहुत बड़ा योग दे सकता है और दुर्बलता सतत खटकती रहने पर ऐसे मानव को अपने किए हुए सत्कार्य के लिए ज्यादा घमंड भी निर्माण नहीं होगा।
दुर्जन भी यदि भगवद् कार्य में जुड़ जाए तो प्रभु भी उसको स्वीकार करते हैं, इस बात का समर्थन शिव ने साँप को अपने गले में रखकर और विष्णु ने शेष-शयन करके किया है।
समग्र सृष्टि के हित के लिए बरसते बरसात के कारण निर्वासित हुआ साँप जब हमारे घर में अतिथि बनकर आता है तब उसे आश्रय देकर कृतज्ञ बुद्धि से उसका पूजन करना हमारा कर्त्तव्य हो जाता है। इस तरह नाग पंचमी का उत्सव श्रावण महीने में ही रखकर हमारे ऋषियों ने बहुत ही औचित्य दिखाया है।
:: नाग देवता की पूजा करने की पद्धति ::
नागोंमें भी कई जातियां हैं । नागोंके नौ रूप प्रसिद्ध हैं । नवनागस्तोत्रमें बताए अनुसार वे रूप कुछ इसप्रकार हैं-
अनंतं वासुकिं शेषं पद्मनाभं च कंबलं ।
शंखपालं धृतराष्ट्रं तक्षकं कालियं तथा ।।
एतानि नव नामानि नागानां च महात्मनाम् ।
सायंकाले पठेन्नित्यं प्रातःकाले विशेषतः।।
तस्य विषभयं नास्ति सर्वत्र विजयी भवेत् ।।
- नवनागस्तोत्र
इसका अर्थ है : अनंत, वासुकी, शेष, पद्मनाभ, कंबल, शंखपाल, धृतराष्ट्र, तक्षक एवं कालिया, इन नौ जातियोंके नागोंकी आराधना करते हैं । इससे सर्पभय नहीं रहता और विषबाधा नहीं होती ।
:: नाग देवता का पूजन ::
पीढे पर हलदी से नौ नागों की आकृतियां बनाई जाती हैं । श्लोक में बताए अनुसार अनंत, वासुकि… इसप्रकार कहकर एक एक नाग का आवाहन किया जाता है । उसके उपरांत उनका षोडशोपचार पूजन किया जाता है । उन्हें दूध एवं खीलों का नैवेद्य निवेदित किया जाता है । कुछ स्थानों पर हलदी के स्थान पर रक्तचंदन से नौ नागों की आकृतियां बनाई जाती हैं । रक्तचंदन में नाग के समान अधिक शीतलता होती है । नाग के वास्तव्यके कारण बमीठे में (नागके घर में) सत्त्वप्रधान वलय तथा कण कार्यरत रहते हैं । बमीठे में चारों ओर शक्ति कार्यरत रहती है ।
:: विधि ::
• प्रातः उठकर घर की सफाई कर नित्यकर्म से निवृत्त हो जाएँ।
• पश्चात स्नान कर साफ-स्वच्छ वस्त्र धारण करें।
• पूजन के लिए सेंवई-चावल आदि ताजा भोजन बनाएँ। कुछ भागों में नागपंचमी से एक दिन भोजन बना कर रख लिया जाता है और नागपंचमी के दिन बासी खाना खाया जाता है।
• इसके बाद दीवाल पर गेरू पोतकर पूजन का स्थान बनाया जाता है। फिर कच्चे दूध में कोयला घिसकर उससे गेरू पुती दीवाल पर घर जैसा बनाते हैं और उसमें अनेक नागदेवों की आकृति बनाते हैं।
• कुछ जगहों पर सोने, चांदी, काठ व मिट्टी की कलम तथा हल्दी व चंदन की स्याही से अथवा गोबर से घर के मुख्य दरवाजे के दोनों बगलों में पाँच फन वाले नागदेव अंकित कर पूजते हैं।
• सर्वप्रथम नागों की बांबी में एक कटोरी दूध चढ़ा आते हैं।
• और फिर दीवाल पर बनाए गए नागदेवता की दधि, दूर्वा, कुशा, गंध, अक्षत, पुष्प, जल, कच्चा दूध, रोली और चावल आदि से पूजन कर सेंवई व मिष्ठान से उनका भोग लगाते हैं।
• पश्चात आरती कर कथा श्रवण करना चाहिए।
पूरे श्रावण माह विशेष कर नागपंचमी को धरती खोदना निषिद्ध है। इस दिन व्रत करके सांपों को खीर खिलाई व दूध पिलाया जाता है। कहीं-कहीं सावन माह की कृष्ण पक्ष की पंचमी को भी नाग पंचमी मनाई जाती है। इस दिन सफेद कमल पूजा में रखा जाता है।
:: नागपंचमी के दिन ::
• इस दिन नागदेव का दर्शन अवश्य करना चाहिए।
• बांबी (नागदेव का निवास स्थान) की पूजा करना चाहिए।
• नागदेव को दूध भी पिलाना चाहिए।
• नागदेव की सुगंधित पुष्प व चंदन से ही पूजा करनी चाहिए क्योंकि नागदेव को सुगंध प्रिय है।
• ॐ कुरुकुल्ये हुं फट् स्वाहा का जाप करने से सर्पविष दूर होता है।
:: नागदेवताकी पूजा तथा उनकी विशेषताएं ::
नागको पूजाका प्रतीक क्यों माना गया है ?
कुछ लोगोंके मनमें यह प्रश्न उठता है, कि प्राणियोंकी पूजा करनेकी यह वैâसी पद्धति है ? और इस कारण वे हिंदु धर्मद्वारा बताई उपासनापद्धतिको पिछडा हुआ मानते हैं । परंतु सत्य तो यह है कि, ‘इस सृष्टिके कण कणमें ईश्वर हैं, सृष्टिका प्रत्येक कण ईश्वरसे व्याप्त है’, इसका ज्ञान हिंदु धर्मने ही इस विश्वको करवाया है । इस बातकी पुष्टि भगवान श्रीकृष्णजीने गीतामें अपनी विभूती कथनद्वारा की है । वे कहते हैं, नागोंमें श्रेष्ठ ‘अनंत’ मैं ही हूं ।
संदर्भ : श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता (अध्याय१०, श्लोक २९)
इस सूत्र के विषयमें गहन विचार करें, तो पाषाण अर्थात् पत्थर, वृक्ष अथवा प्राणीमात्र को भी इस धर्म में पूजा का प्रतीक माना गया है ।
:: नाग देवता की विशेषताएं ::
१. नाग क्षेत्रपाल देवताओंमें से एक हैं । क्षेत्रपालदेवता अर्थात् क्षेत्रकी रक्षाकरनेवाले देवता ।
२. नागका संबंध भूमिकी उपजाऊ शक्तिके साथ जोडा गया है ।
३. नाग इच्छासे संबंधित देवता हैं । वे इच्छाके प्रवर्तक अर्थात् सकाम इच्छाओंकी पूर्ति करनेवाले कनिष्ठ देवता हैं ।
४. नाग पवित्रकोंके समूहका प्रतीक है । पवित्रक अर्थात् ईश्वरीय चैतन्यके सूक्ष्मातिसूक्ष्म कण । ईश्वर चैतन्यस्वरूप हैं । हिंदु धर्मके अनुसार नाग अनेक देवताओंके रूपसे संबंधित हैं । भगवान शिवजीने नौ नाग धारण किए हैं, तो भगवान विष्णु प्रत्येक कल्पके अंतमें महासागरमें शेषासनपर शयन करते हैं । श्रीगणेशजीने भी पेटपर नाग धारण किया हैं ।
५. नाग पवित्रकोंका समूह है । अर्थात् वे सूक्ष्म होते हैं और जिन्हें हम अपने नेत्रोंद्वारा अर्थात् स्थूल दृष्टिसे देखते हैं, वे नाग इन पवित्रकोंके समूहका प्रतिकात्मक स्थूल रूप है । इन नागोमे देवताका रूप देखनेके कारण पूजकको आध्यात्मिक लाभ होते हैं ।
६. नाग ब्रह्मचर्यका प्रतीक हैं, वे बमीठेमे रहते हैं । जिस व्यक्तीके हाथोमे बमीठा तोडा जाता है अथवा नाग मारा जाता है, उसे नाग शाप देते हैं ।
७. नागके शापकी तीव्रता अत्यधिक होती है । हमारे पूर्वजोंके हाथों यदि ऐसा अपराध हुआ हो, तो उसके संपूर्ण वंशको यह शाप भुगतना पडता है । यह शाप दूर हो; इसलिए अनेक विधियां की जाती हैं । इसके उदाहरण है, आश्लेशा बली, काल सर्प शांति जैसे विधि । इन विधियोंमें नागको बली चढाया जाता है । परंतु यहां ध्यान रखिए की, यह बली प्रतिकात्मक होती है । इसमे चावल, गेहूं अथवा तिलके आटेसे नागकी आकृति बनाई जाती है और गत कालमें मारे गए नागको आवाहन किया जाता है ।
८. पृथ्वीपर जब अधर्म बढता है, तब दुर्जनोद्वारा अत्याधिक कष्ट दिए जाते हैं । इस कारण साधकोंके लिए साधना करना कठिन हो जाता है । तब दुर्जनोंका विनाश करने हेतु ईश्वर प्रत्यक्ष रूप धारण कर जन्म लेते हैं । ईश्वरके इसी प्रत्यक्ष रूपको अवतार कहते हैं । ईश्वरका यह अवतार रूप दुर्जनोंका विनाश कर धर्म संस्थापना करते हैं । यह धर्म संस्थापनाका कार्य ही अवतार कार्य है । जब ईश्वर अवतार लेते हैं, तब उनके साथ अन्य देवता भी अवतार लेते हैं एवं ईश्वरके धर्म संस्थापनाके कार्यमें सहायता करते हैं । उस समय नागदेवता भी उनके साथ होते हैं । जैसे, त्रेतायुगमें भगवान श्रीविष्णुने राम अवतार धारण किया तब शेषनाग लक्ष्मणके रूपमें अवतरित हुए । द्वापर युगमें भगवान श्रीविष्णुने श्रीकृष्णका अवतार लिया । उस समय शेषनाग बलराम के रूपमें अवतरित हुए ।
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