Page 2 - Jan-Mar 2019

Snakes in ‘Hiss’tory DID YOU KNOW?

The word ‘Sarpa’ which
means snake in Sanskrit is
Historical records suggest that snakes have always held a certain related to the Proto-Indo-
importance. Even in the prehistoric period, India was populated by European word ‘serp’ which
the Australoid tribes migrating from Africa who carried the ancient means ‘to crawl or creep’.
knowledge of snake worship.

eArLieSt eVidence
Ancient LiterAture
One of the
earliest evidences Rig Veda mentions Ahi Budhnya
of snake worship snake that dwelt in the fathomless
is from the depth of the aerial ocean. Vritra,
Harappan period. MoheNJo-Daro seal a Rig Vedic demon of drought
A seal from Mohenjo-daro shows was shown as a snake sometimes.
a seated deity with attendants on Atharva Veda mentions sarparaksha
either side with an erect cobra. An mantra to cure snake bites. It also
amulet belonging to this period refers to snake skin as a protection
depicts an eagle flanked by a snake against theft.
on either side. Other clay figurines The Grihyasutras gives details of an
and pottery suggest that people elaborate annual ritual called Sarpa
worshipped snakes. Bali to please the snakes.

Illustration by: Dev Taneja,
XI A, Jaypee Public School,
“nAgA” KingdOMS Noida nAgA dYnAStieS

The word ‘Naga’ in Sanskrit refers • The Shishunagas were an ancient
to a snake or serpent. The ancient Naga clan that ruled from 642 to 372
Naga tribes were considered to be snake BCE.
worshippers.
• Chandragupta II
The Mahabharata mentions cities and kingdoms of a Vikramaditya (385-413
group called Nagas and their dialogue with people. CE) married the Naga
The Naga Kingdoms belonged to this warlike tribe of princess Kubera Naga.
Nagas. Naga chiefs such as Sesha, Takshaka, Vasuki, • The Gurjara Pratihara
Karkotaka and their stories are also mentioned in kingdom (8 century bharhuT sTuPa
th
this epic.
BCE) was established by Naga prince
The Tamil epics Silappatikaram Nagabhatta.
th
(5 to 6 century CE) and • South Indian dynasties such as the Cholas,
th
Manimekalai (c. 9 century Pallavas, Cheras and rulers of Vijayangara and
th
CE) refer to Naga cults and Maratha claimed to have descended from the
Naga cities. PoTTery FragMeNT Nagas.

ActiVitY: MY SnAKe StOrY
In Malabar, ‘snake groves’ are worshipped even today, the existence of which is
owed to Parasurama. In houses a patch of trees is set apart for snakes as household
gods. These sacred groves contain a snake king and queen made of granite and are
worshipped regularly. Share the story of serpent worship in your region.
Illustration by: Thrupthi U.S, VI C ,
Krishna Prasad, X, g.K.D. Matric hr. sec. school, Coimbatore SG International Public School, Bangalore

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