Shubh Naga Panchami – Festival of Snakes – July 2012
Happy - Shubh Naga Panchami
(CHAKRA) Naga Panchami falls on July 24th in 2012 and is a Hindu festival. It is on the 5th day of Shravan that Naga Panchami, or the festival of snakes, is celebrated in India, Nepal and other places with large Hindu populations around the world. Many Hindu mythologies are filled with stories about snakes, the most important being the Sheshnaga of Lord Vishnu (it is on this snake that Lord Vishnu reclines while sleeping in the sea). Thus, it is quite understandable that a festival called Naga Panchami is observed by Hindus, in the honor of snakes, every year.
In Jainism and Buddhism snakes are also regarded as sacred and have divine qualities. It is believed that a Cobra snake saved the life of Buddha and another protected the Jain Muni Parshwanath.
In Nepal, during Naga Panchami festival some people post pictures of Nagas above the doors of their homes to ward off evil spirits, offer prayers to Nagas, and place food items such as milk and honey in their fields for Nagas.
Naga Panchami is one of the most ancient fasts in India and also finds mention in the Puranas. It is believed to be one of the most auspicious days of the entire year. According to the Bhavishya Purana, when men bathe the snakes 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. As per a legend, on the day of Naga Panchami, ploughing a field is forbidden.
The Chakra team would like to wish everyone a happy/shubh Naga Panchami.
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The King Cobra is said to be very auspicious and usually doesn’t harm anybody. It is very docile and pliant by nature and goes its own way. There are many descriptions in ancient Indian scriptures.
According to Puranic scriptures, Brahma’s son Kashyapa had four wives. The “first” wife gave birth to Devas; the second, to Garudas; the third—named Kadroo–, to N?gas; and the fourth, to Daityas. N?gas were the rulers of P?t?l-Loka.
While others contend that Rishi Kashyap had two or thirteen wives.
The following Sanskrit names of Nine Great N?gas, namely, Ananta, V?suki, Shesha, Padman?bha, Kambala, Shankhap?la, Dh?rtar?shtra, Takshaka, and Kaliya:
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Translation: Anantam V?sukim Shesham Padman?bham cha Kambalam; Shankhap?lam Dh?rtar?shtram Takshakam K?liyam tath?
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Meaning: Likewise nine names of Nagas have its especial importance. If they are remembered with devotion every evening and especially in the morning, then one does not get venomised and become liberated from the fear of poison. He also remains victorious everywhere.
May this Nag Panchami be gracious to all and bless us with victory in our life in every sphere.
Does it not accept the Devanagari script? I had posted two Sanskrit slokas about the Nagas and their importance. They have been question marked.