Tomorrow
we will celebrate another important Indian festival named as “Nag Panchami” which
is related with worship of Nag (Cobra). In India, Snakes are considered as a
God. On this occasion all Indians worship snakes (Cobra). Traditionally,
married young women visit their premarital households to celebrate the
festival. Especially in villages, an aspect of the celebration involves women
swinging on swings hung on the tree branches and the parent of the young married
lady gifts her bangles and ornaments.
According
to Puranic scriptures, Brahma's son Kashyapa had four wives. The first wife
gave birth to Devas; the second to Garudas; the third to Nāgas; and the fourth
to Daityas. Nāgas were the rulers of Pātāl-Loka.
The
names of the Nine Great Nāgas are Ananta, Vāsuki, Shesha, Padmanābha, Kambala,
Shankhapāla, Dhārtarāshtra, Takshaka, and Kaliya
In
Indian Puran, it is considered that God Vishnu rests over the bed of coils of
Shesha Nag during the intervals of creation. The Nag has three kings, Vassuki,
Takshak and Shesha Nag. Shesha nag is said to represent the ‘reminder’ when the
universe is destroyed and the power of creation (Lord Vishnu) rests on its
coils. The Nagas are dwelling in an underworld, called Nag Lok, which is an
immense domain crowed with palaces, houses, towers and pleasure gardens.
According
to Indian Puran, Lord Shiva wounds the Cobra or snake around their neck to get
cooling against the adverse effect of poison stored in their neck.
On
this day of Nag Panchami, cutting of vegetables, making chapatti, frying on the
stove, digging the soil etc were prohibited. Hence in many families, women cook
the food items only with the help of steam. Early in the morning almost all the
women visit the ant hills to worship the god Nag, because in many cases the Nag
(Cobra) lives inside the house of ants and at the evening women visit the local
temple of Nag or Lord Mahadev and play many types of games. On this day young
boys plays kite competition and enjoys the festivals as in many schools and
colleges holiday is given on Nag Panchami.
When
we look deeply inside this tradition we will find many scientific reasons
behind celebrating this festival of Snakes. Snakes are the important part of
food chain. A snake helps the farmers by eating the rats and insects from the fields
and increases the productivity of the crops. Snakes do not harm or bite any
individual unless snake feels unsafe or it is disturbed by human from its
natural habitat.
Not
only on the day of the Nag Panchami but on everyday it is our duty to protect
the Snakes and Cobras. Snakes are part of our Nature and we should live
together with harmony.
“Happy
Nag Panchami”.