Nāga Pañcamī and the great Yajña of the Sarpa Satra
The fifth day of the waxing moon of the month of Śrāvaṇa (today) is celebrated as Nāga Pañcamī in honour of nāgas – snakes and serpents who according to Hindu lore inhabit the nether world. On this day people worship snakes with offerings of milk.
Many folktales narrate the significance of this day. But the tale from the Mahābhārata explaining the importance of this day is of significance.
In fulfilment of a ṛśī’s curse, Takṣaka, the king of serpents bites and kills Parikṣita the king of Hastināpura and the grandson of the Pāṇḍava hero Arjuna. Driven by vengeance, Parikṣita’s son who inherits the throne, king Janamejaya performs the immensely complex snake sacrifice – the Sarpa Satra Yajña, which lasted for twelve years! Such is the power of the mantras recited by the sages performing the sacrifice that snakes and serpents from all parts of the world come flying across the skies and were hurled into the sacrificial fires in the yajna kuṇḍa.
In terror for his life Takṣaka fled to swargaloka – the kingdom of his friend and protector Indra the king of paradise. But the heat of the Sarpa Satra Yajña scorched its way even there. In desperation, Takṣaka coiled tightly around the legs of Indra’s magnificent throne. “Indrāya swāha, Takṣakāya swāha” chanted the officiating priests as they poured oblations into the sacrificial fires, and inexorably – Indra’s throne with Indra seated on it and Takṣaka coiled around its legs broke off from the firmament and started getting dragged inexorably towards the sacrificial fires.
Frightened at the fate approaching their king, the devas approached the pious youth Astīka, son of the sage Jaratkāru to assist them. Astīka went to attend king Janamejaya’s yajña and there impressed the king with his deep knowledge of the śāstras. Pleased with his intellect, king Janamejaya granted Astīka any reward he wished – to which the young brahmin requested the king to spare the lives of Takṣaka and the other serpents. Reluctant though he was to be diverted from his vengeance, the king could not demur from his word and thus the nāgas were spared. Nāga pañcamī is celebrated in commemoration of this Sarpa Satra Yajña and the pious Astīka.
