अनन्तं वासुकिं शेषं पद्मनाभं च कम्बलम्। शङ्खपालं धृतराष्ट्रं च तक्षकं कालियं तथा ।। Anantam Vasukim Shesham Padmanabham cha Kambalam | Shankhapalam Dhartarashtram Taxakam Kaliyam Tatha || 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.
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||
