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Snakes and Mysticism

28 Feb 2013 44 Comments

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DEMYSTIFYING YOGA

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Sadhguru talks about the

connection between
mysticism and snakes, and
the power and energy of
this mysterious creature.

Sadhguru: Mysticism and snakes cannot

be separated. Wherever there was an
exploration or experience of mysticism –
in the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia,
Crete, Egypt, Cambodia, Vietnam, and of
course India – snakes were always there.
There is no Indian temple without a
snake. One aspect of it is symbolism,
because in yoga, a coiled-up snake
symbolizes kundalini. But the reason for
this symbolic status is because when
celestial beings – those who are in
consciousness and capability superior to
human nature – entered this dimension
of existence, they always took the form of
a snake. This finds mention in every
mythology on the planet. In India, there
are innumerable stories, starting from
Shiva being a Naga Bhooshana.

Mysticism is a certain dimension of

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 A sketch of two entwined snakes
depicted on a vase offered to a
Mesopotamian deity around 4000
years ago

perception and the snake has come

endowed with that capability. That is why
the highest form of perception, which is
the opening of the third eye in Shiva’s
forehead, is punctuated by the presence of
the snake. A reptile would usually be
crawling on the ground, but Shiva has it
over his head to indicate that, “In some
ways, he is even better than me.” Every
culture has recognized this in one way or
the other. There are a number of stories of
snakes and the role they played in our
culture.

In mythology, there are Naga Lokas in

the netherworld – a whole society of not
just snakes, but human beings who
belong to the snake clan. They are known
as Nagas, and they played a very
important role in shaping the
consciousness of this nation and many
other cultures. Historically, we know that
the great temples of Angkor in Cambodia
were built by Naga descendants. They
went from India, intermarried with the
indigenous people, and established a
kingdom. Nagas were ruled by queens,
not kings, as they were matriarchal
families. Later on, Kaundinya, a Brahmin
king from India, went and defeated the
Naga queen.

Human beings who are very deeply

associated with snakes exist even today. I
am one of them – not a Naga, but my life
and snakes cannot be separated. Every
significant event in my life is always
punctuated by the presence of a snake.

An Ear to the Ground

If one becomes very meditative, the first
creature which is drawn towards that is a

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snake. This is the reason why you always
see images of sages and seers with snakes
around. It has such a sense of perception
that it can perceive certain dimensions
which human beings are longing and
desperate to know.

During the Dhyanalinga consecration,

when we were consecrating the Vishuddhi
chakra, over 400 people had gathered,
but one snake would somehow creep
through the crowd and come to us. Any
number of times we picked it up and left it
out in the forest, but within half-an-hour
he would be back again. He did not want
to miss the consecration!

The snake is the first creature which will

know even the slightest fundamental
change that happens on this planet,
because his whole body is in touch with
the ground. He has no ears; he is stone-
deaf, so he uses his whole body as an ear.
He truly puts his ear to the ground. If
there is going to be an earthquake in
California, a snake in the Velliangiri
Mountains can tell you this at least 30 to
40 days ahead of time. Its sense of
perception with regard to the planet is so
very keen and sharp.

Left: The Egyptian goddess Isis is

represented as a snake in this
approximately 2000-year old relief.
Right: The snake depicted above the
threshold of Linga Bhairavi.

All the Goddesses in the world – the

Middle Eastern, North African,
Mesopotamian, South Asian, Central
European – are always symbolized
together with snakes. At Linga Bhairavi,
sarpa seva is available for people every
full moon day. Here, the two snakes are
in an embrace. They are not in
entanglement. An embrace happens out
of involvement. Entanglement happens
out of compulsive needs. They are in a
certain embrace and a certain dance to
bring this forth into everyone’s life. Once

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a month, these snakes are filled with the
earth taken from a termite mound mixed
with certain other substances. This is a
way of making use of the snake to
enhance one’s perception.

Sarpa Seva

Sarpa Seva is an offering made to the

intertwined Divine Sarpas at Linga
Bhairavi, by any two individuals who
share a relationship, such as husband
and wife, brother and sister, or business
partners. This arpana can bring
significant transformation in their
relationship. It also aids in building a
strong constitution and improves fertility.
Sarpa Seva is also available for those
seeking to ward off naga dosha, marital
obstacles, major hurdles, lack of
prosperity or progress, and chronic ill-
health.

Ningizzida (Sketch of inter-twined

snakes)
Isis-Thermoutis_Louvre_E25950
(Green snake)

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POSTED YOGA &

IN: MEDITATION,
DEMYSTIFYING
YOGA, YOGA
&
MEDITATION,
SCIENCE OF
TEMPLES
TAGS: Chakra, Shiva

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Mamta • 2 years ago

Sadhguru can you please tell
us about Kalsarpa, does it
really exist? And why to people
do Narayan Nag bali pooja to
ward it off? People in my
family believe that they suffer
from the Kalsarpa yoga,
personally i don't believe it.
37 • Reply • Share ›

Sullivan >
Mamta
• 6 days ago
I guess you mean
Kalasarp Dosha not
Yoga.
• Reply •
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Sullivan • 2 years ago

I dont know why Sadhguru
doesnt mention this, probably
it might be intentional. I would
like to share it to the readers.

I have read this in one of the

books of a great yogi that
Nagaloka is a real plant and its
in our milkyway and still
inhabitated by snakes. The
king of the loka is Ananthnag
(six headed) and one of its
chief head is Nagaraj who is
electric blue in color. And that
these snakes used to visit us
long back and have taught
mankind about the spiritual
process. But after a while we

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 see more
12 • Reply • Share ›

Shankar >
Sullivan
• 2 years ago
I think you have read
SRI M 's book. Yes this
is mentioned there. I
am too wondering if the
above article is true for
snakes right now living
on earth.
1 • Reply •
Share ›

Sidd >
Shankar
• a year
ago
Hi Shankar /
Sullivan, could
you pls name
this book. I m
interested to
read this book
about Nagas.
(Regards, Sidd)
• Reply
•
Share ›

Sullivan
>
Sidd
• 2
months
ago
Its a
beautiful
book
equivalent
to the
"Autobioagrahy
of a
Yogi".
The
book is
a must
read for
all the
Yogis
and its
called
"Apprentice
to the
see more

• Reply
•
Share ›

asha gopan >

Sullivan
• 10 days ago
Dear sadgurui what is
kalasarpa yoga? Asha
gopan from trivandrum
• Reply •
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sandy • 2 years ago
very good article but one small
doubt why bible showing
snake as evil.....
11 • Reply • Share ›

Elizabeth Jose
> sandy
• 10 months ago
See what Bible says
about snakes..

Revelation 12:9 - And

the great dragon was
cast out, that old
serpent, called the
Devil, and Satan, which
deceiveth the whole
world: he was cast out
into the earth, and his
angels were cast out
with him.
1 • Reply •
Share ›

PETER >
Elizabeth
Jose
• 9 days
ago
Elizabeth
folowing ideas
of guru longer
time and its
pure
luciferianism,
may be his
followers
should ask him
what kind of
deliberation he
offers to them.
Idolatry,
constant
denying of
existence of
god etc. And
the end Gurudhi
every normal
person knows
that snake is
pagan symbol
for Lucifer.
• Reply
•
Share ›

Iam TheeAlmighty
• 2 years ago
But why only King-Cobras, or
Cobras worshipped? Why are
they called 'Nalla' Paambu
(which means Good Snake in
Tamil)?
8 • Reply • Share ›

brahm1952 • 2 years ago

Sadguru, Pranams.

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Sadguru, Pranams.
Like you are teaching us
various aspects of life, would it
be possible to teach us as to
how to catch a snake and
send it back to a safe place
and similary how to treat
snake bites.
Thanks
brahm1952
6 • Reply • Share ›

Gnanashankari
Ramanan • 2 years ago
Why is fear associated with
snake always......me too fear
hearing, seeing the 'snake'....
Wat does it mean when you
see snake in your dreams? Or
even you see a snake?
6 • Reply • Share ›

Harish Kumar >

Gnanashankari
Ramanan
• 2 years ago
One reason is, the
snake is so different
from other animals.
Every animal except
the snake as a face,
and limbs, this is the
only one that does not.
And the fact that it
moves in a sinuous
fashion adds to the
mystery/fear.

Plus, snakes are

poisonous and people
have died of snake bite.
So fear of snakes is
also because of the
fear of death.
2 • Reply •
Share ›

vix • 10 months ago

There was a snake which
crawled under my bike n
settled unset my seat. When
the professionals rescued it he
was shocked to see a "V" Mark
on its hood instead of the
regular u shape. It also had
white neck. Can u please
guide me as what does this
means ?
3 • Reply • Share ›

Opi Stephen Luga

• 10 months ago
there is also a mystic of a half
snake half human being, which
was born by a human years
before i was born near my
village and they where twins
but the other was a real

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human. it is said that he
possessed great powers and
helped the natives out in
several ways but after some
time when the natives started
paying less attention to him
then he vanished and he is
believed to currently live in
some mountain some kilo
metres far away
2 • Reply • Share ›

Nikole • 2 years ago

this is a really good article
Sadhguru because it explains
a lot but snakes just like other
animals have their own
meaning in every culture and
practice but we should not
forget to respect them for they
too are creatures that have life.
2 • Reply • Share ›

Reeta Mehta
• 2 years ago
Thank you Sadhguru I was
seeking the meaning of a
snake's depiction in our
Mythology. You answered my
question.
2 • Reply • Share ›

Elizabeth Jose
• 10 months ago
+++
1 • Reply • Share ›

PETER • 9 days ago

Sadhguru may I have direct
question are you worshiper of
Lucifer? as every normal
person knows its a pagan
symbol of him. I follow your
ideas and opinions and i see
clearly influence of this "prince
of light" which is totally
contradiction with Lords (god)
will and his Word. If yes its
your business, but your
followers should know what
kind of deliberation are you
offering.
• Reply • Share ›

Tarek Amin
• 10 days ago
Sadhguru, would you please
tell us something about the
significance of the swan? is it
similar, or opposing, or
different from that of the
snake? thank you
• Reply • Share ›

Deepak Kanna
• 10 days ago
Sadhguru,
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Sadhguru,

My question is around this

point

" If there is going to be an

earthquake in California, a
snake in the Velliangiri
Mountains can tell you this at
least 30 to 40 days ahead of
time. "

If above message is fact, why

no body under the sky
including so called snake didn't
give warning to us to be alert :(
which could have save 1000s
of people ?

Regards,
Deeps
• Reply • Share ›

Smita • 5 months ago

Kundalini = coiled pair of
snakes = genes
all have tremendous power
potential... only when they pair
up
right
• Reply • Share ›

Jaya • 6 months ago

Om Bujangabhushanaya
Namaha , I bow down
• Reply • Share ›

Cleaus N.B
• 10 months ago
So does that mean the India
civilisation as we know it was
actually introduced by Africa?
As Nagas originally came from
Africa?
• Reply • Share ›

Sullivan >
Cleaus N.B
• 2 months ago
Introduced by Africa?
Nagas are from a
different planet
altogether according to
some yogis.
• Reply •
Share ›

rajni • 10 months ago

thanx for sharing this article
...but would like to know how
clear nag dosha...?
• Reply • Share ›

Karthikeyan Pandian
• 10 months ago
Very good article
• Reply • Share ›

vocalmaestro
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vocalmaestro
• 10 months ago
I've always been drawn to the
tortoise and I have been
around them all my life I
wonder what that means?
• Reply • Share ›

Elizabeth Jose
• 10 months ago
Revelation 12:9 - And the great
dragon was cast out, that old
serpent, called the Devil, and
Satan, which deceiveth the
whole world: he was cast out
into the earth, and his angels
were cast out with him..
• Reply • Share ›

Elizabeth Jose
> Elizabeth Jose
• 10 months ago
Yes it is true that devils
are symbolized as
snakes in Bible.
• Reply •
Share ›

Elizabeth Jose
• 10 months ago
Revelation 12:9 - And the great
dragon was cast out, that old
serpent, called the Devil, and
Satan, which deceiveth the
whole world: he was cast out
into the earth, and his angels
were cast out with him.
• Reply • Share ›

Elizabeth Jose
• 10 months ago
Hi all,see what Bible says
about snakes :)

Revelation 12:9 - "And the

great dragon was cast out,
that old serpent, called the
Devil, and Satan, which
deceiveth the whole world: he
was cast out into the earth,
and his angels were cast out
with him."
• Reply • Share ›

Babujee K.N
• a year ago
Dear Sadhguru,

I am babujee from urapakkam.

In my house nalla
pambu is living. Please explain
me what is the good and bad
while nalla pambu
is living in my house. what i
can do and i can't do please
explain. my cell #
9884635430 email
babujee007@gmail.com
• Reply • Share ›

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 • Reply • Share ›

alex • 2 years ago

My Totem in this lifetime,
thanks for this lesson.
• Reply • Share ›

Doug • 2 years ago

My dream was of the milky
way that stella clusters in a
certain area formed a
serpant's or dragon's head
that was looking right at me.
Can't seem to get a meaning
for this anywhere
• Reply • Share ›

Silvia • 2 years ago

Pranam everyone, I am also
afraid of snakes, why we all
have this instinct and is the
same for all of us.
• Reply • Share ›

Sunanda • 2 years ago

If they have so much of
importance then why most
people are afraid of snakes
(including me).. Can Sadhguru
pls enlighten on this?
• Reply • Share ›

Sullivan >
Sunanda
• 2 months ago
You are asking
Sadhguru why you are
afraid of Snakes ? How
would he know whats
going on in your brain?
:)
• Reply •
Share ›

BALAJI • 2 years ago

beautiful depiction of nagas by
it RAJA!
• Reply • Share ›

Ramta Jogi
• 10 months ago
A beautiful and article on Nag
devta ..... very enlightening
...Thanks a lot.
• Reply • Share ›

Elizabeth Jose
• 10 months ago
Hi, please see what Bible says
about snakes. :)

Revelation 12:9 - "And the

great dragon was cast out,
that old serpent, called the
Devil, and Satan, which
deceives the whole world: he
was cast out into the earth,
and his angels were cast out
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 and his angels were cast out
with him." [Yes,Bible says devil
or evil celestial beings
symbolized as snake in Bible
were thrown out of heaven
were thrown into our planet
earth.Bible also says they
deceive the whole world.Yes,
people worship snake in many
see more
• Reply • Share ›

Santosh Singh
> Elizabeth Jose
• 10 months ago
Elizabeth, you should
grow up. Fast.
5 • Reply •
Share ›

Jayaraj >
Elizabeth Jose
• 10 months ago
You don't belong to any
sustainable ecosystem
miss
4 • Reply •
Share ›

Nathaniel
Madigan >
Elizabeth Jose
• 4 months ago
People are here for
quality knowledge. This
is not the place for you
right now. Hopefully in
the future you'll
understand what you're
doing.
• Reply •
Share ›

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