Nag Pancham

Know why there is a tradition of offering milk to serpents on Nag Pancham. Discover who cursed the lineage of serpents and who freed them from that curse.

Nag Pancham or Nag Panchami, is one of the prominent festivals celebrated in the month of Shravan. In some states of the country, this festival is observed on the fifth day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the month of Shravan. In Gujarat, however, Nag Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) in the month of Shravan and is known as Nag Pancham.

On this day, the serpent deity or Nag Devta is worshiped and given milk to drink. People also perform worship of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in their homes, along with worshiping the serpent deity. It is customary to offer milk to serpents on this day. It is believed that offering milk to serpents on Nag Panchami helps in removing severe serpent-related doshas (flaws) and that it frees individuals from obstacles, guiding them towards progress.

Story:

Daksha's daughter Kadru married the sage Kashyapa. Pleased with Kadru's service, Kashyapa Muni asked her to request a boon. Kadru then asked for a boon of a hundred sons, and as a result, she was blessed with a hundred serpent sons.

Once, during the churning of the ocean, a white horse emerged. Seeing this, Kadru told her co-wife Vinata that the horse was very beautiful but not entirely white, as its mane was black. Vinata disagreed, asserting that the horse was entirely white, including its mane. A debate ensued between them over this matter. Kadru then declared that if she could show Vinata that the horse's mane was black, Vinata would have to serve her as a maid. Conversely, if the mane was indeed white, Kadru would become Vinata's maid. Vinata agreed to this challenge.

Kadru's mind was filled with deceit. She instructed her serpent sons to shrink their forms and hide among the horse's mane so that it would appear black. However, her sons objected, saying, "Mother, you are forsaking righteousness and engaging in unrighteousness. We cannot do this," and they refused her command. Seeing her sons' defiance, Kadru, enraged, cursed them, declaring that they would be destroyed in the serpent sacrifice performed by King Janamejaya, a descendant of the Pandavas.

Frightened by the curse, the serpents went to Brahma. He reassured them, saying, "Do not be afraid. In future ages, a king named Jaratkaru will be born. You should arrange his marriage to your sister. Through their union, a son named Astika will be born. This son will stop the serpent sacrifice performed by Janamejaya."

In the upcoming time, it happened that King Janamejaya learned that the cause of his ancestors' death was serpents. Determined to eradicate the lineage of serpents, he commenced a great sacrifice to annihilate all serpents. When Janamejaya's son Astika learned that his maternal uncle's life was in danger, he approached the sacrifice and interrupted it. Thus, on the Panchami of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the month of Sawan (Shravan), Astika halted the sacrifice, freeing the serpents from fear and protecting them. Since then, this day has been celebrated as Nag Panchami, dedicated to the protection of serpents.

On this day, images of serpents like Sheshnag, Takshak Nag, Vasuki Nag, etc., should be drawn on the wall and worshipped with turmeric, rice, red sandalwood paste, and flowers. In addition, raw milk mixed with ghee is offered to the serpent deities while remembering them. Women who worship the serpents with complete devotion on this day will have their lineage free from the fear of serpents, and their homes will always be blessed with the grace of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and the serpent deities. Where there is the grace of these three deities, there is never any sorrow in the home, and there is never a shortage of happiness and wealth.

Writer: - Kuldeep Singh