How did snakes originate? Who are the deities of snakes? Who is the goddess of snakes? How did snakes obtain venom? Why do snakes have a slit between their tongues, and what is the story behind it? These are elements of the mythological stories related to snakes in India, which are still documented in the Vedas and Puranas. Let's delve into them today.
Unveiling the Mythological Origins of Snakes in Hinduism
Mythological origin of snakes
- Hinduism and serpent stories
- Prajapati Daksha and his daughters
- Deities and demons in Hindu mythology
- Kadru and the influence on snake progeny
- Garuda's devotion and quest for nectar
- Lord Vishnu's intervention in the myth
- Nag Panchami and snake worship in Hindu culture
- Significance of King Cobra in Hindu mythology
- Symbolism of snakes in Hinduism.
Table of Contents:
1. Introduction
Overview of the mythological stories surrounding the origin of snakes in Hinduism.
2. Prajapati Daksha and His Daughters
Description of Prajapati Daksha, his daughters, and the marriages with sage Kashyapa.
3. Birth of Deities and Demons
Insight into the births of deities from Aditi, demons from Diti, and snakes from Kadru.
4. Influence of Kadru on Snakes
Explanation of how the snakes, including Shesha, Kaliya, Vasuki, Takshaka, and Karkotaka, lived under the influence of their mother Kadru.
5. The Deception of Uchchashrava
The narration of the deceitful wager between Kadru and Vinata, leads to the enslavement of Vinata.
6. Garuda's Devotion and Quest for Nectar
Exploration of Garuda's devotion to his mother and his quest to obtain the nectar from Chandraloka to free Vinata.
7.Lord Vishnu's Intervention and Garuda's Vahana
Lord Vishnu's intervention, his recognition of Garuda's devotion, and the transformation of Garuda into Lord Vishnu's mount (vahana).
8. Curses and Consequences
Unraveling the curses imposed on the deceitful snakes and the consequences they faced, including their participation in Janamejaya's yajna.
9. Nag Panchami and Snake Worship
Explanation of the significance of Nag Panchami, a festival dedicated to snake worship, and its reflection in Hindu culture.
10. King Cobra - The Symbol of Veneration
Recognition of the King Cobra as the revered serpent in Hindu mythology, symbolizing both power and danger.
11. Conclusion
Story :
Prajapati Daksha considered the Manas son of Brahma, had 60 daughters with his wife Virani. Daksha's 13 daughters were married to the sage Kashyapa. Aditi gave birth to deities, Diti to demons, Danu to Danavas, Vinata to Garuda, and Kadru to snakes. Shesha, Kaliya, Vasuki, Takshaka, and Karkotaka are all descendants of Kashyapa and Kadru.
Their birth was intended to balance the creation with good deeds. At that time, snakes did not have venom, and all snakes lived under the influence of their mother, Goddess Kadru. The snakes behaved and conducted themselves just like their mother Kadru instructed, especially in their interactions with their brother Garuda and Aunt Vinata.
Kadru harbored jealousy and animosity towards her sister Vinata because Vinata gave birth to the mighty Garuda, a bird of great prowess, posing a threat to the snakes. However, Garuda's mother instilled good values in him, and he always maintained respectful behavior toward his brothers and Aunt Vinata.
Yet, Kadru and her sons continued to harbor hatred towards Vinata and Garuda. One day, while both sisters, Vinata and Kadru, were on a journey, Kadru saw a white horse flying in the sky. This horse, named Uchchashrava, was a celestial being that emerged from the churning of the ocean and was gifted to the demons.
Kadru jokingly remarked to Vinata that she wondered why the tail of the flying horse appeared black from a distance, even though the horse was entirely white. Vinata, not realizing the malicious intent, agreed. Kadru then proposed a wager to determine the color of the horse's tail, stating that whoever lost would become the winner's servant.
Thinking it was just a playful jest, Vinata agreed. Kadru, however, cunningly summoned her snake sons and instructed them to coil around the tail of Uchchashrava, making it appear black. Some snakes hesitated, expressing discomfort with deceit, but Kadru cursed those who refused to burn in the sacrificial fire of Janamejaya's yajna.
Some snakes agreed and went to coil around the horse's tail, making it look black when seen from a distance. As a result, Kadru claimed victory, and Vinata became her servant. After becoming Vinata's servant, Kadru began mistreating her, aiming to keep Garuda under her control. However, Garuda, valuing his mother's freedom above all, one day asked his aunt Kadru, "Tell me the conditions under which you can release my mother?"
Kadru demanded the nectar (amrita) from Chandraloka, a celestial realm. Garuda, driven by his love for his mother, stole the nectar from Chandraloka and brought it to Earth. However, the gods discovered the theft and, along with Lord Vishnu, pursued Garuda to punish him. Indra seized Garuda, but upon learning that Garuda had stolen the nectar to free his mother, Lord Vishnu was pleased with Garuda's devotion and made him his mount (vahana).
As per the agreement, Kadru had to release Vinata. However, during this time, Indra took the nectar back to the celestial realms. When the gods realized that Kadru had deceived them, they cursed her sons who participated in the deceit to perish in Janamejaya's yajna. Some snakes accepted the punishment, while others repented, leading to the division between the divine snakes like Vasuki and the demonic ones like Kaliya and Takshaka.
In Hindu mythology, Nag Panchami, a festival celebrated in reverence to snakes, especially worships Shesha, the divine serpent with a thousand heads, who serves as a bed for Lord Vishnu. The festival is marked by offering prayers and milk to snakes as a symbol of devotion and seeking protection from snake bites. King Cobra, known for carrying venom, is considered the king of snakes and is venerated in various cultures beyond India.
This mythological narrative not only explains the origin of snakes but also reflects the consequences of deception, the power of devotion, and the complexities within familial relationships.
Roman Hindi: mythology stories. snakes in indian mythology.
"Sarpo ki utpatti kaise hui? Kaun hain sarpo ke devta? Kaun hain sarpo ki devi? Sarpo ko vish kaise mila? Sarpo ke jeebh ke beech kata kyun hai aur kya hai iske peeche ki kahani? Sarpo se judi Bharat ki pauranik kahani jo aaj bhi Ved Purano mein darj hai. Aaiye aaj iske baare mein jaante hain.
Prajapati Daksha Brahma ke manas putra mane jaate hain jinki patni Virani se 60 kanyaon ka janm hua. Daksha Prajapati ki 13 kanyaon ka vivah Rishi Kashyap ke saath hua. Aditi se devta janme, Diti se asur, Danu se danav, Vinata se Garuda, aur Kadru se sarp ka janm hua. Sheshnag, Kaliya, Vasuki, Takshak, Karakota, sabhi Kashyap aur Kadru ki santane hain. Inka janm srishti ko santulit karne ke liye ache karyon ke liye hua tha.
Us samay sarpo mein vish nahi tha aur sabhi sarpo apni maa Devi Kadru ke prabhav mein rehte the. Maa jaisa kehti sabhi sarpo vesa hi aacharan aur vyavhaar doosron se karte the, khaaskar ke apne bhai Garuda aur mausi Vinata se. Darasal Kadru apni behan Vinata se jalan aur dvesh rakhti thi, kyun ki Vinata ne Garuda jaise maha parakarmi pakshi putra ko janm diya tha jisse sarpo ko khatra tha. Magar Garuda ki maa ne apne putra Garuda ko hamesha acche sanskar diye the, isliye vo hamesha apne bhaiyon aur mausi ke saath bhi accha vyavhaar karta tha.
Lekin phir bhi Kadru aur uske putron ne hamesha maa bete se nafrat karte the. Ek din dono behne Vinata aur Kadru kahin bhrmane nikle the usi samay achanak Kadru ko ek safed ashwa uchcheshwara udta hua dikhayi diya. Yeh safed ghoda bahut hi adbhut tha jo samudra manthan se bahar aaya tha aur vo asuron ko mila tha.
Udte hue ghode par ek halki si nazar Vinata ki bhi padi. Tabhi Kadru ne mazak mein Vinata se kaha ki ghode ki poonch jaane kyun kaali thi...? Jabki vo ashwa to poori tarah se safed hai. Tab Vinata ne kaha ki nahi, nahi didi vo ghoda poori tarah se safed lag raha tha aur uski poonch bhi safed thi, jisse usne Vinata ko Kadru ki dasi bana diya.
Jaldbaazi mein, Kadru ne baad mein Vinata ko dhoka diya aur usse kaha ki ghode ki poonch kaali lag rahi hai, jisse Vinata dasi ban gayi. Nag, Kadru ki santan, sarpe ban gaye. Kahani Vinata aur Kadru ke beechi mukabale ke aas-pass ghoomti hai. Yeh aur bhi aage badhti hai amrit ka manthan, Garuda ka iske liye amrit paane ki koshish, aur sarpo ke srishti se judi ghatnayein.
Garuda ant mein amrit ka ghada churata hai aur Vishnu ke vaahan ban jaata hai. Kadru ne Vinata ko dasi se mukt kiya, aur sarpe, jaise Vasuki, Shiv ke saath joda gaya, jabki Sheshnag Vishnu ke liye divya sarpa bana.
Hindu sanskriti mein, Nagpanchami ek sarp puja ka tyohar hai, jisme Sheshnag ka vishesh aadar hota hai, jo Shiv ke gale mein lipta hua hai. Yeh kahani ja complex rishtey, devi devtaon ke hastakshep aur sarp ko bharatiya sanskriti mein simbolik mahatva ke saath darshaati hai."
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