Snaking past myths

On the fifth day of Shukla Paksha of Hindu calender month of Shravana,Nag Panchami is celebrated. It is said that during this month serpents come out of their holes,which get inundated with rain water,to seek shelter at safer abodes such as gardens or perhaps even a house. Penetrating through the legend of the festival,Nagas was the name of a highly developed clan whose culture was widespread throughout ancient India,even before the Aryan rule. Anant,Vasuki,Shesh,Padma,Kanwal,Kalia,Takshak,Sankhpal,Dhritarashtra and Pingal,as mentioned in the Puranas,are various categories of cobras. However,some historians would prefer to dub them as Naga kings of various regions with spectacular powers. Hindu mythology has it that the thousand-headed Shesh Nag,the couch of Lord Vishnu,symbolising eternity,sits between the time of dissolution of one universe and creation of another. Another age-old religious belief says that serpents are loved and blessed by Lord Shiva,who always wears a snake around his neck. Particularly on Nag Panchami,cobras are revered and religious rites are performed to seek their blessings. Snakes are bathed in milk and haldi kumkum,to seek immunity from snakebites. Later,an offering of rice and milk is made to the snakes.

While snakes are revered and worshiped on this day,few are aware of their plight,which according to the Wild Animals and Snake Protection Society (WASPS),is worsening. Snake charmers are known to mistreat the reptiles and not provide food to them. “We have planned to confiscate these snakes,treat them medically and set them free into the jungles,” says Santosh Thorat,the Founder of WASPS. Thorat,a rickshaw driver by profession,who has been associated with the society for the past six years. The society is known to contribute towards the betterment of wild animals. “Snake charmers forcefully feed the snakes milk. Contrary to common belief,it is like poison for the reptiles,” says Thorat. “These poor creatures,however,can’t tell the difference between water and milk. After consuming milk they mostly fall sick,” he adds.

Thorat does not question the tradition or the culture but aims to protect the snakes from such ignorant treatment. “Why can’t we just keep rituals away from these creatures?” concludes Thorat.