The famous American actor and producer, Nicolas Cage has once observed that every great story seems to begin with a snake. Snakes and serpents are an integral part of all the cultures of the world from time immemorial. They are associated with fertility, rejuvenation, vitality, survival, divinity, aesthetic sense and designs, etc. On the other hand they have been depicted as devils and evils also with fear and hatred. No species on the earth has stirred the imagination of humans as the snakes. In the Indian mythology snakes are revered and occupy very prominent positions. Lord Vishnu who is depicted as the sustainer of the world is shown as sleeping on Shesh Nag or the immortal snake in the milk ocean with Goddess Lakshmi. Lord Shiva has a snake around his neck.

 

Lord Ganesha is shown as snakes around his stomach. The famous mythological snake Vasuki was used as the rope by Gods and demons to churn the ocean. We find many mythological stories associated with one variety of snakes named Takshakas. In the Tantra and Kundalini Yoga, the primordial energy is said to be lying dormant in the base of the spine coiled in the form of a serpent. When the energy rises after intense spiritual practices and purity, it moves as a serpent in the spine traversing different Chakras or energy centres and reaches the crown Chakra. That is the highest level of human consciousness. No other symbols may be as apt as the symbols of a snake to describe the ascension of human consciousness. Thus a serpent with its expanded hood is the symbol of enlightenment. Snakes are worshipped on the occasion of Naga Panchami. Snakes are associated with great mystical and spiritual powers. Jainism and Buddhism have also attached great importance to snake symbols. Snakes are called natural pest control. So they play a great role in the entire ecosystem. They mostly prey on rats, mice and other rodents. Again falcons, eagles, peacocks, etc prey on snakes. Thus, there is a balance in the ecosystem. In the Ayurveda, we find mention of the importance of snakes.

 

There are numerous serious diseases which are treated with the snake venom. Snakes are the symbols of healing also. Snake bites are also treated with snake poison. All over the world snake symbols are used as very complex aesthetic and artistic designs and decoratives. Even in science we find that the famous German scientist Kekule dreamt of a snake which was seizing its own tail. This led to the discovery of the famous Benzene formula. Snakes shed their skin and get rejuvenated. When snakes grow, they leave behind their smaller skins. It has a great symbolic value. It gives a great message for human life. Old and past things are to be left behind on the onward journey of life. Indian culture has always stood for peaceful coexistence of opposite forces. This is best exemplified by the copresence of Garud, the falcon, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu with the great serpent, Shesh Nag on which Lord Vishnu is sleeping. Again the snake of Lord Shiva is coexisting with the bull, the vehicle of Lord Shiva. The peacock is the vehicle of Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva, but it peacefully coexists with the snake of Lord Shiva.

 

(The writer is Former DG Police & CG, Homeguards, Maharashtra) ■