Snakes, or Nāga in Sanskrit, hold a significant and revered place in Hinduism due to their symbolic meanings and roles in various mythological stories, rituals, and cultural practices. Worshipping snakes in Hinduism is linked to several spiritual, cultural, and natural beliefs that relate to their power, symbolism, and connection with the divine.

Here are some key reasons why snakes are worshipped in Hinduism:

1. Symbolism of Transformation and Rebirth

• Shedding of Skin: Snakes are known for shedding their skin, a process that symbolizes rebirth, renewal, and transformation. This aligns with key spiritual concepts in Hinduism, such as Moksha (liberation) and the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (Samsara). The shedding of skin represents the idea of leaving behind the old and embracing the new, much like spiritual growth and enlightenment.
• Kundalini Energy: In yogic traditions, the snake also symbolizes the dormant Kundalini energy, which is said to reside at the base of the spine. Through spiritual practice, this energy is awakened and rises through the chakras to bring about spiritual awakening. The image of a serpent coiled at the base of the spine represents this latent potential that, when awakened, leads to higher consciousness.

2. Association with Lord Shiva

• Snakes are closely associated with Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. Lord Shiva is often depicted wearing a snake around his neck, symbolizing his power over death and his mastery of all cosmic forces. The Nāga (serpent) represents both the earth and the water, elements that are under Shiva’s control. The snake around Shiva’s neck also represents his detachment from worldly desires and his ability to transcend the material world.
• Vasuki: The king of serpents, Vasuki, plays a significant role in Hindu mythology. In the story of the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), Vasuki is used as the rope to churn the ocean. This episode is pivotal because it signifies the extraction of the nectar of immortality (Amrita) from the ocean of milk, and Vasuki is seen as an essential figure in this cosmic event.

3. Nāga as Protectors

• Nāgas are considered to be the guardians of treasures and hidden wisdom. In several Hindu texts, they are depicted as powerful, semi-divine beings who protect wealth, knowledge, and sacred places. They are believed to inhabit underground realms or hidden places and to possess secret knowledge.
• The worship of snakes often takes place at sites of natural significance, such as near trees, rivers, and temples. These sacred spaces are believed to be protected by the Nāgas. Offering worship to snakes is seen as a way of invoking their protection and blessings.

4. Serpent Gods and Goddesses

• Nāga deities are worshipped in Hinduism, with several serpentine figures being revered as gods and goddesses. For example:
  • Manasa: The goddess of snakes and fertility. Manasa is especially worshipped in Bengal and Assam for protection against snake bites and to bring fertility.
  • Ananta-Shesha: Ananta-Shesha is a multi-headed serpent who serves as the divine bed for Lord Vishnu. He represents infinity, as he is said to hold the entire universe in his coils.
  • Takshaka: A prominent Nāga who plays a role in various mythological stories, including the Mahabharata, where he is involved in the death of King Parikshit through a snakebite.

5. Protection from Snake Bites

• In ancient times, venomous snakes were a real threat, and worshipping snakes was also linked to a practical belief in receiving divine protection from snake bites and poison. Specific rituals, like offering milk and prayers to snakes during Nag Panchami, are believed to invoke blessings and protection from snake-related dangers.
• Nag Panchami: This is a festival dedicated to the worship of snakes, typically held during the monsoon season (in the months of July or August) in many parts of India. Devotees, particularly farmers, worship live snakes or snake idols on this day to ensure the safety of their crops and to ask for protection from venomous snakes.

6. Symbolism of Duality: Life and Death

• Snakes in Hinduism are also seen as symbols of duality, representing both life and death. On the one hand, they are associated with fertility and life (due to their role in the cycle of nature, such as eating rats that damage crops), but on the other hand, their venom can cause death, thus they also symbolize the inevitable force of death and rebirth.
• The snake is also tied to the Chthonic or underworld realms, associated with both the hidden aspects of life and the mystery of what lies beneath the surface of reality. This dual nature emphasizes the balance between creation and destruction, life and death, in Hindu cosmology.

7. Veneration in Nature and Ecology

• Snakes are also revered due to their connection with nature. They are often seen as symbols of the Earth itself, as they live close to the ground, which is considered sacred in Hinduism. Many of the sacred rivers and trees, like the Peepal tree, are also considered homes of the Nāga.
• This connection emphasizes reverence for nature, encouraging respect for the creatures that inhabit the world, especially those that play crucial roles in maintaining ecological balance.

8. The Cosmic Role of Snakes

• In Hindu cosmology, the Nāga is often a representation of the cosmic serpent Ananta (meaning "endless" or "infinite"). Ananta, who holds the world on his hood, symbolizes the eternal nature of the universe, and his many heads represent the endless cycles of creation and destruction. The concept of Ananta-Shesha, with his ability to support the world, is a powerful metaphor for the foundational principles of the universe, which are often depicted as being upheld by divine forces.

9. Nagas in Sacred Texts

• The Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Puranas (such as the Bhagavata Purana) contain numerous references to serpents, particularly Nāgas. These texts tell stories of divine serpents, their struggles, their relationships with gods, and their interactions with humans. These narratives show the serpent as a mystical being capable of both good and harm, highlighting its complexity and revered status. Astrologer Panchratan Jyotish is the Best Astrologer in USA who has helped many of his clients live a happy life through his insight and knowledge of Astrology.

Conclusion

Snakes are worshipped in Hinduism for a variety of symbolic, spiritual, and practical reasons. They represent powerful forces such as transformation, regeneration, protection, and the connection between life and death. Through their associations with gods like Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, their role in creation myths, and their symbolic link to nature and cosmic cycles, snakes embody a deeply spiritual aspect of Hindu thought. The veneration of snakes, especially through festivals like Nag Panchami, serves as a reminder of the importance of reverence for both the visible and hidden aspects of life and the natural world.