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How To Worship Snakes In Hinduism - A Comprehensive Guide

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Comprehensive Guide on How to Worship Snakes in Hinduism

Worshipping snakes (serpents) holds a significant place in Hinduism, symbolizing power, fertility, renewal, and the cycle of life. The most important festival for snake worship is Nag Panchami, but devotees may also offer their prayers to snakes on other auspicious days or during personal worship rituals. Below is a comprehensive guide covering all aspects of snake worship in an eco-friendly and traditional way.

Importance of Snake Worship in Hinduism

  1. Symbolism of Snakes: Snakes, especially cobras, are revered in Hindu mythology and are often associated with Lord Shiva (who wears a cobra around his neck) and Lord Vishnu (who reclines on the serpent Ananta Shesha).
  2. Spiritual Significance: Worshiping snakes is believed to bring protection, fertility, prosperity, and good health. It also invokes divine blessings to ward off negative influences and karmic debts.

Cleanliness and Preparation for Puja

  1. Personal Cleanliness:
    • Take a bath early in the morning to purify the body.
    • Wear fresh and clean clothes that are simple and eco-friendly.
    • Avoid consuming onion, garlic, or non-vegetarian food before and on the day of the puja.
  2. Area Cleanliness:
    • Clean the space where the puja will be performed. The area should be free of dirt and dust.
    • Use eco-friendly cleaning products and avoid synthetic or chemical-based cleaning agents.

Time for Performing the Puja

  • The best time to worship snakes is during Nag Panchami, but you can perform snake puja during the Pradosh Kaal (evening twilight) or during early morning hours.
  • Avoid performing the puja during Rahu Kaal (an inauspicious period of the day, as per astrology).

Clothing to Wear

  • Wear clean, simple, and light-colored cotton clothes, preferably in white, yellow, or green, which symbolize purity, prosperity, and nature.
  • Avoid black clothes as they are generally not recommended for auspicious ceremonies.

Puja Items Required (Eco-Friendly and Traditional)

  1. Snake Idol or Picture: You can use an idol or a photo of a cobra, Sheshnag (serpent of Lord Vishnu), or even the snake hood of Lord Shiva.
  2. Fresh Flowers: Marigolds, jasmine, or lotus are eco-friendly choices. Avoid using plastic or synthetic flowers.
  3. Turmeric, Kumkum (Vermilion): Use natural turmeric and kumkum made from herbs and roots.
  4. Sandalwood Paste: It’s a symbol of purity and is eco-friendly.
  5. Akshat (Unbroken Rice Grains): Offer plain rice or turmeric-coated rice (akshat).
  6. Water in a Copper Kalash: Use copper or earthen vessels for offering water.
  7. Leaves: Tulsi (holy basil), Bilva (Bael), and Durva (grass) are sacred and should be offered during the puja.
  8. Milk: Traditionally, snakes are offered milk. You can also use coconut milk as an eco-friendly alternative.
  9. Fruits: Offer bananas, coconut, and other seasonal fruits as prasad.
  10. Dhoop and Incense Sticks: Choose natural, organic incense sticks and dhoop made from herbs and flowers.
  11. Diya (Oil Lamp): Use clay lamps with cotton wicks soaked in sesame or ghee.

Steps for Performing Snake Puja

1. Cleanse the Area and Yourself

  • Clean the puja space and yourself as mentioned above.
  • Spread a clean cloth or banana leaves on the floor to place the idol or picture of the snake.

2. Set up the Altar

  • Place the snake idol or picture on a clean platform.
  • Light the diya (oil lamp) and place it in front of the idol.

3. Invocation (Dhyaan and Aavahan)

  • Close your eyes and meditate on the form of the snake deity or Lord Shiva/Vishnu.
  • Recite a short prayer to invite the deity to accept your offerings. You may chant:
    • "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" (for invoking Lord Vishnu's presence)
    • "Om Namah Shivaya" (for Lord Shiva)

4. Offering of Milk and Water

  • Offer milk or coconut milk in a small container to the snake idol.
  • Pour water on the idol or sprinkle water lightly as a form of Abhishekam (ritual bathing).

5. Offering of Flowers and Leaves

  • Place fresh flowers and sacred leaves like Bilva and Tulsi in front of the deity.
  • You can also make a small garland of flowers and place it around the idol.

6. Offering of Prasad

  • Offer fruits like bananas, coconuts, or other seasonal fruits to the deity.
  • You can also offer cooked prasad such as Kheer (rice pudding) or Panchamrit (a mix of milk, curd, honey, sugar, and ghee).

7. Recitation of Mantras

  • Chant the following mantras for snake worship:
    • "Om Nagendraaya Namah" (Salutations to the Lord of Serpents)
    • "Om Anantaya Namah" (Salutations to the Infinite Serpent)
    • "Om Sarpa Rajaaya Namah" (Salutations to the King of Serpents)
  • Recite these mantras 108 times using a Rudraksha or Tulsi mala (rosary).

8. Aarti

  • Perform aarti with the diya (oil lamp) by rotating it in a circular motion in front of the snake idol.
  • Sing the Nag Devta Aarti or Shiva Aarti if you are worshipping Lord Shiva with the snake deity.

9. Conclude the Puja

  • After the aarti, bow down and offer your prayers silently.
  • Express gratitude for the blessings received and request protection and prosperity for your family.

Prasad to be Prepared

  • Kheer (Rice Pudding): A common offering made from milk, rice, and sugar.
  • Panchamrit: A mixture of milk, curd, honey, sugar, and ghee.
  • Seasonal Fruits: Such as bananas, mangoes, and coconuts.

Mantras and Prayers for Snake Worship

  • "Ananta Vasuki Sheshah, Padmanabhah cha Kambalah, Shankhapalo Dhritarashtra, Takshakah Kaliya-statha" – This is the mantra to honor the eight great serpents: Ananta, Vasuki, Shesha, Padmanabha, Kambala, Shankhapala, Dhritarashtra, Takshaka, and Kaliya.
  • Reciting Om Namah Shivaya or Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya is also appropriate if you are associating the snake with Shiva or Vishnu.

What to do with the Puja Leftover Items

  1. Eco-friendly Disposal:
    • Offer leftover flowers, leaves, and food items to nature by leaving them under a tree, especially a Peepal or Banyan tree, which are sacred in Hinduism.
    • You can also immerse the biodegradable items in a natural water body like a river or lake if it is eco-friendly and permitted by local authorities.
  2. Reusing Items:
    • If the diya and kalash are in good condition, they can be reused for future pujas.
    • Fruits and prasad that are not consumed during the puja can be distributed among family members or the needy.

Benefits of Snake Worship

  • Protection: Devotees believe that snake worship protects from venomous bites and diseases.
  • Prosperity and Fertility: Snakes are symbols of fertility, and their worship is believed to enhance prosperity and family growth.
  • Spiritual Growth: The cycle of shedding and renewal that snakes undergo symbolizes transformation and spiritual evolution.
  • Calming Negative Influences: Snake worship is said to pacify planetary influences, particularly Rahu and Ketu, which are associated with serpents in astrology.

This guide ensures that you perform the snake worship in an eco-friendly, traditional, and spiritually uplifting manner while respecting nature.