Naaga Panchami—The Sacred Serpent and the Spiral of Self-Awakening
Naaga Panchami is more than a ritual—it is a sacred reminder that the serpent within, if awakened with reverence, can guide us to liberation. This article explores its scriptural roots, spiritual symbolism, scientific insights, and Sai-inspired reflections.
“The serpent, when feared, poisons.
When revered, it protects.
When awakened, it liberates.”
Naaga Panchami is not just a festival of serpent worship—it’s a call to awaken the serpent power within, to honour the Naaga Shakti that transforms fear into freedom, inertia into insight, and survival into self-realisation.
1. Scriptural Foundations of Naaga Panchami
- Mahābhārata (Āstīka Parva): Ṛṣi Āstīka halts the serpent-sacrifice of Janamejaya, showing the sacredness of Naagas.
- Padma Purāṇa & Skanda Purāṇa: Detail Naaga lokas, ancestral reverence, and the spiritual power of serpent beings.
- Bhagavad Gītā 10.28: “Anantaśca asmi nāgānām”—Among serpents, I am Ananta,” says Śrī Krishna.
- Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 5.25: Describes Ananta Śeṣa as the cosmic support on which Lord Viṣṇu rests.
2. Astrological Relevance – Rahu and Ketu: The Cosmic Naagas
The lunar nodes of the Moon represent serpents. Rahu (North Node of the Moon) signifies Sarpa (Snake), and Ketu (South Node of the Moon) signifies Naaga (Cobra).
Naagas (cobras) have a separate world in the netherworld, while Sarpas (snakes) live mostly on Earth due to their lack of a separate world. The Harivansh Purana identifies Vasuki as the king of Naagas and Takshaka as the king of Sarpas, with Naagas associated with Shiva, Vishnu, and Devas, and Sarpas with negative qualities. Naaga, a term meaning “snake”, encompasses various types of Naagas responsible for transforming forces both within and outside of us. The Kundalini Shakti, also known as the coiled snake, is the most significant aspect of our being. Naaga Panchami is a day not just dedicated to the worship of snakes but also honouring these transformative energies.
During ‘Naaga Panchami’, if an astrological chart is severely affected by Rahu-Ketu issues, it is advisable to take remedial measures to mitigate its negative effects and receive blessings for balance and prosperity.
In Vedic Astrology, the Rahu-Ketu axis in birth charts provides crucial insights into current life goals and past life merit issues. In nutshell
- Rahu, a Karmic planet, indicates the need to address a neglected aspect of life in the past, urging individuals to go beyond their apparent dissatisfaction to achieve a satisfactory resolution in the present
- Ketu represents both good and bad Karmic collections, spirituality, and supernatural influences.
- Rahu (serpent’s head): Desire, illusion, restlessness
- Ketu (serpent’s tail): Mokṣa, detachment, past-life karma
Both are karmic nodes, linked with Sarpa Doṣa, unfulfilled desires, and ancestral imbalances. Naaga Panchami is ideal for Rahu–Ketu remedies:
Remedies Include:
- Chanting: “Om Rāhave Namaḥ”, “Om Ketave Namaḥ”
- Donating black sesame, feeding the poor
- Offering milk to Naaga stones or anthills
- Observing fasts and praying to Lord Subrahmaṇya
3. Kundalinī: The Serpent of Awareness
The Kundalinī, often depicted as a coiled serpent at the base of the spine, ascends through seven chakras, dissolving fear, ego, and ignorance.
Chakra–Naaga Mapping Table
| Chakra | Naaga Aspect | Element | Awakening Trait | Associated Gland |
| Mūlādhāra | Dormant Kundalinī | Earth | Survival, stability | Adrenal glands |
| Svādhiṣṭhāna | Desire & fluidity | Water | Creativity, pleasure | Gonads |
| Maṇipūra | Fire of transformation | Fire | Confidence, power | Pancreas |
| Anāhata | Naaga opens heart | Air | Compassion, love | Thymus |
| Viśuddha | Sound & truth serpent | Ether | Expression, purity | Thyroid |
| Ājñā | Visionary Naaga | Mind | Intuition, insight | Pineal/Pituitary |
| Sahasrāra | Serpent merges with Śiva | Beyond | Liberation, bliss | Crown connection |
4. The Spiral Within: Serpent, DNA & Consciousness
Ancient sages visualised the kundalinī as a coiled serpent, and today, science reflects that very image in the spiral of DNA—hinting at the cosmic intelligence encoded within us as:
- Spinal cord undulation reflects serpent motion
- The reptilian brain governs primal instincts (Mūlādhāra region)
- Kundalinī rising activates vagus nerve, pineal gland, endocrine regulation
- Chanting mantras affects brain waves and cerebrospinal fluid flow
“The rising of awareness from base to crown mirrors the evolution of human consciousness.”
5. Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s Vision on Naaga and Inner Awakening
Sri Sathya Sai Baba illuminated the true essence of worship:
- “When man understands the meaning of inner silence, he shall hear the hissing whisper of divinity within.” — Divine Discourse, July 1990
- “Do not pour milk on stone serpents while ignoring the hungry child next door. True devotion lies in selfless love, not blind ritual.” — Sanathana Sarathi, 1982
- “The serpent represents the ego that must be kept under God’s control.” — Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 14, p. 156
These messages guide us from external rituals to internal transformation—from pouring milk on stone idols to awakening dormant divinity within.
6. Muhurat (Auspicious Time) Table
| City | Puja Start | Puja End |
| Auckland | 07:22 am | 09:24 am |
| New Delhi | 06:00 am | 08:00 am |
| Sydney | 07:00 am | 09:00 am |
7. Naaga Panchami Rituals (Tuesday, 29 July 2025)
- Wake early, bath, and wear white or yellow
- Offerings: Milk, sandalwood, turmeric to Naaga idols or anthills
- Chant: Naaga Gayatrī Mantra, Mahāmṛtyuñjaya Mantra, “Om Namo Bhagavate Vāsukāya Namaḥ”
- Meditate on Mūlādhāra chakra
- Do not harm any serpent or creature that day
8. Pouring Compassion, Not Milk – A Divine Insight
Sri Sathya Sai Baba once said, “If you give milk to a hungry child instead of offering it to the idol, God will be more pleased” – Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Discourse, 23 Feb 2001. Building on this, one may conclude, “Worship is not about pouring milk on idols. It is about pouring compassion into life.” Hence,
- True Naaga worship is awakening energy, not fearing it.
- Replace superstition with seva (selfless service)
- Raise inner awareness—not just ritual, but realisation.
9. The Serpent’s Gift: From Fear to Freedom
“In coils of fear, the serpent lay,
Guarding truths we cast away.
Yet deep within, its eyes behold,
A path of fire, fierce and bold.
Not made to bite, but made to rise,
It climbs the spine toward inner skies.
From base to crown, it weaves its light,
From shadow’s womb to wisdom’s height.
It is not death that hisses near,
But ego’s shell we clutch in fear.
Release the hold, the Naaga sings—
And you shall soar on sacred wings.
So on this day, bow not in fright,
But meet the serpent wrapped in light.
For what you fear may just begin,
The journey back to God within”
10. Final Illumination
May Naaga Panchami awaken within you the dormant potential to rise, serve, and realise the Self. May the very serpent you once feared become the spiral that sets you free. May this sacred day mark a turning point in your journey from illusion to illumination.
सर्पाणामस्मि वासुकिः।
(Sarpāṇām asmi Vāsukiḥ)
“Among serpents, I am Vāsuki.”
— Bhagavad Gītā 10.28
Ravinder Grover
Disclaimer: ‘Without Prejudice’. I offer my insight to astrology solely based on my learnings of astrology principles and techniques, some of which I learnt from the Sages of the highest order. These predictions are offered for guidance purposes only. I offer absolutely no guarantee on my calculations and analysis. These predictions are not intended to harm anyone by any means. I expressly disclaim all warranties, implied or contingent, for making use of these predictions or for incurring any loss or loss of profit in any manner. No notice or advice from anyone will create any liability whatsoever
Leave A Comment