Why Should We Worship Snakes on Nagula Chavithi ?

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Nagula Chavithi falls on the 4th day (Chavithi) of Karthika maasam following Amavasya of Diwali. On this day, Snakes are worshipped. As per scriptures, Snake God (Naga Devatha) is worshipped on different occasions - Nagula Chavithi & Naga Panchami.

Sanatana Dharma teaches us the concept of not only worshipping people (e.g: Sages, Kings etc), but also things (Nature), Plants & Animals (Cow, Snakes etc) which aid in sustenance of our daily lives. We are supposed to be grateful to things or people who help us in some way in our lives.

Spiritually, Snake is a symbol of the Kundalini Chakra where latent energy is present in a coiled state which rises up on activation, just like a snake opens its hood. As per Hindu tradition, it is seen as a symbol for fertility, immortality etc. Even in other religions, snakes are worshipped for many reasons. 

Keeping aside the spiritual or religious reasons for which snakes are worshipped, there are many other benefits of snakes.

▪️Snakes help to keep wild rodents in fields under control, preventing them from destroying the crops. Indirectly, we are dependent on them for our daily food.

▪️The venom of snake has various medicinal benefits. Snake venom has been used since olden days in traditional medicine.

▪️Even in Modern Medicine, Snake Venom has been used in developing many drugs. Few of them are non-additive analgesics, antihypertensives like Captopril, antiplatelets like Tirofiban & Eptifibatide, agents like Reptilase which are used in treatment of Stroke and Pulmonary Embolism. Various studies are still in progress exploring the scope of its use.

"Therefore once a year, we worship snakes as a sign of gratitude towards them despite having various beliefs or reasons."


 

 - Written by Dr.Manikanth Vivek


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