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How To Worship Snake God In Hinduism - A Comprehensive Guide

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Comprehensive Guide to Worshiping the Snake God (Naga Devata) in Hinduism

Worshiping the Snake God, or Naga Devata, holds a significant place in Hindu culture. Naga worship is believed to bring blessings such as protection from evil forces, fertility, and prosperity. This guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to conducting an eco-friendly, traditional puja for Naga Devata.

1. Cleanliness & Preparation

Before beginning any puja, personal and environmental cleanliness is paramount.

  • Bathing: Start the day by taking a bath early in the morning before sunrise. It is important to maintain personal cleanliness and purity when performing the puja.
  • Cleaning the Puja Space: Clean the space where the puja will be performed. The area should be free from dirt and clutter. Wipe it down with water mixed with cow dung (for eco-friendliness) or water mixed with turmeric for purification.
  • Eco-Friendly Materials: Use traditional and biodegradable items such as banana leaves for serving offerings, cotton wicks for lamps, and clay or brass idols.

2. Time for Naga Puja

Naga Puja is typically performed early in the morning, around Brahma Muhurta (between 4:00 AM and 6:00 AM), or during the auspicious days related to Nagas, such as Nag Panchami or Shashti.

3. Appropriate Clothing

It is recommended to wear clean and fresh clothes in light or earthy colors such as:

  • White, yellow, or light green for purity and serenity.
  • Avoid wearing black or dark colors, as they are traditionally not preferred for spiritual rituals.

4. Puja Items Required (Eco-Friendly)

For an eco-friendly, traditional Naga Puja, gather the following items, all of which should be natural and biodegradable:

  • Naga Devata idol (preferably made of clay or metal)
  • Turmeric powder (Haldi) and Kumkum (Vermillion)
  • Sandalwood paste (Chandan)
  • Flowers (Jasmine, hibiscus, and lotus; use locally grown, organic flowers)
  • Bilva leaves, Durva grass, and Tulsi leaves (Avoid using plastic or synthetic flowers/leaves)
  • Fruits such as bananas, coconuts, and other seasonal fruits
  • Milk, honey, yogurt, and ghee for Abhishekam (anointing the idol)
  • Rice grains (Akshata)
  • Earthen lamp with ghee and cotton wicks
  • Incense sticks (Agarbatti) made from natural ingredients
  • Camphor (made from natural sources)
  • Kalasam or pot filled with water, topped with a coconut
  • Prasad such as jaggery, rice flour laddoos, or coconut-based sweets

5. Steps of Naga Devata Puja

Step 1: Purification (Achamana)

  • Begin by purifying yourself and the area. Sprinkle water around the puja space, and sprinkle a few drops of water on yourself.

Step 2: Invocation (Dhyana)

  • Meditate for a few minutes and invoke the presence of Naga Devata by chanting:
    • “Om Namo Bhagavate Anantaya, Vasukiye Namaha”
      This mantra is a respectful invocation to the serpent deities Ananta and Vasuki.

Step 3: Offering (Sankalpa)

  • State your intent (Sankalpa) for the puja. It could be for family well-being, protection from doshas (like Naga Dosha), or fertility.

Step 4: Abhishekam (Sacred Bath)

  • Perform an Abhishekam (ritual bathing) of the Naga idol with eco-friendly items like milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, and coconut water.
  • Offer sandalwood paste and turmeric to the idol.

Step 5: Flower Offering and Mantras

  • Decorate the idol with flowers like jasmine, hibiscus, and bilva leaves.
  • Chant mantras dedicated to Naga Devata:
    • "Om Nagendraaya Namaha"
    • "Om Sarpadevaya Namaha"
    • "Om Vasukiye Namaha"

Step 6: Lighting the Lamp and Incense

  • Light an earthen lamp (diya) filled with ghee and natural incense sticks (agarbatti). Offer the light to the deity, symbolizing the removal of ignorance.

Step 7: Offering Naivedyam (Prasad)

  • Offer fresh fruits, coconuts, and eco-friendly sweets like jaggery laddoos or coconut barfi.

Step 8: Aarti

  • Perform Aarti by waving camphor or a lighted lamp in a circular motion in front of the idol, while singing Naga Aarti songs like “Om Jai Naag Devta”.

Step 9: Prayers and Concluding Mantras

  • Conclude the puja with prayers for family well-being, protection from harmful influences, and removal of Naga Dosha.
  • Chant:
    • "Sarpa Gayatri Mantra":
      “Om Nagaaya Vidmahe, Bhujangaya Dheemahi, Tanno Sarpa Prachodayat”
      Meaning: We meditate on the Naga (snake). Let the Bhujanga (divine serpent) illuminate our minds.

Step 10: Offering Prostration (Pranama)

  • Perform prostrations (Pranama) in front of the deity to show reverence and gratitude.

6. Prasad (Offerings)

Prepare simple and eco-friendly prasad that includes:

  • Coconut and Jaggery-based Ladoos
  • Sweet rice
  • Fresh fruits such as bananas, coconuts, and seasonal offerings

Distribute the prasad to family and devotees. It is important that all prasad items are natural and free from plastic or artificial additives.

7. Eco-Friendly Disposal of Leftover Puja Items

After the puja, dispose of the puja materials in an eco-friendly manner:

  • Flowers and leaves: Compost them in your garden or bury them in a clean place.
  • Coconut shells: Use them for composting or place them near trees.
  • Abhishekam water: Pour it at the base of a Tulsi plant or any sacred tree like a peepal or neem tree.
  • Offerings and food leftovers: Share them with others, or offer them to animals and birds, maintaining eco-consciousness.

8. Importance & Benefits of Naga Worship

  • Protection from Sarpa Dosha: Worshiping Naga Devata is believed to alleviate the negative effects of Sarpa Dosha (snake curse) in one’s astrological chart, bringing peace and harmony.
  • Fertility: Naga worship is associated with fertility and blessings for childbearing.
  • Health and Prosperity: Snake gods are revered for their power to protect health, especially from ailments related to skin and longevity.
  • Spiritual Growth: Naga worship brings devotees closer to the cosmic energy, symbolizing spiritual transformation and awakening of kundalini energy.

Conclusion of the Puja

Conclude the puja by thanking Naga Devata for the blessings and protection. Offer a final prayer of gratitude:

"Nagasya Prasannatvam, Dhanyatvam Sampradayakam, Sarva Sarpapriyatvamcha, Sarva Mangala Siddhaye"

This final prayer requests the Naga Devata to bless the household with prosperity, peace, and protection.

By performing the Naga Devata puja with devotion, purity, and an eco-friendly mindset, you align yourself with the positive energies of nature and receive the divine blessings of the serpent deities.