WORSHIP OF SNAKE GOD

 Nag Panchami

In Indian mythology, the world is supported on the hood of a giant snake called Shesha. And the myths and legends come to the fore on the day of Naga Panchami, the festival that is dedicated to the Snake God.

Over a vast space of time, serpents have haunted the Indian mind. An oblation of rice and milk, the subdued burning of camphor and incense sticks, the flickering wicks soaked in the shimmering brass lamps and the strewn flower petals - all invoke an abiding faith and awe in the inscrutable powers of the Snake God. Through the corridors of time one hears the echo of chorus songs and dance beats all in praise of the powers that the snakes are believed to possess.

Snake worship is common throughout India, both of the sculptured form and of the living being. The sculpture is invariably in the form of the naga or the cobra. Sometimes there is a single naga, the hood being spread open. Occasionally, there are nine snake figures sculpted together, and the form is known as Nava Naga. The living snake is worshipped almost in every part of the country, especially on occasion of festivals like Naga Panchami.

Living Tradition

The festival of Naga Panchami is a living tradition of the snake cult. One of the great festivals in honour of the serpent, it is observed across India and Nepal on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Shravan during the monsoon season. There are many legends associated with this festival, prevalent in different parts of the country. It is believed that the festival celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna over the mythical Kaliya, a monstrous black cobra that was killed by Krishna. The immortal Kaliyamardana story in the Shrimada Bhagwata describing Krishna’s subduing of the poisonous serpent Kaliya who polluted the river Yamuna and his dance on the hood of the serpent is well-known. Krishna not only made the waters of the river safe for people by ousting the Kaliya Naga but released the serpent from the curse that made him take the form of Kaliya.

Another legend states that once a snake was trampled upon by a woman during night. The snake followed her, intending to bite her. There it saw the same woman giving milk to the young one of a snake. The snake changed its mind and went off. It was the day of Naga Panchami.

The rites and rituals to be observed on this festive day are laid down in the Sanskrit work called ‘Vrataraja’. According to this text, “The poisonous one must be drawn with cow dung on both sides of the door.” Elaborate rituals in the form of ‘puja' are held in temples and temporary altars in the honour of snake gods. In many parts of Eastern India, the festival is dedicated to the worship of the snake goddess Manasa. On the festive day women take a holy bath in the morning and worship the cobras by offering milk and honey. The adobe of a cobra – usually an ant hill - is decorated with turmeric and kumkum and milk is poured into it. The snake charmers go about with trained cobras and collect money. Milk is offered to the Nagas because they are considered to be a form of death and the milk consumed by snakes and the Nagas soothes their anguish. It is believed that the reward of this worship is freedom from snake bites in the family.

Unique Festivities At Battis Shirala

Battis Shirala, a small town in Maharashtra, is famous for its annual Naga Panchami festival, which is attended by thousands of people. Tourists from all over the world gather at this place to witness the unique festivities. Two weeks before the festival, villagers go snake-hunting, after getting ‘kaul’' (permission) from the village goddess Ambabai by placing a flower on her head. If the flower falls voluntarily on the left side then that family is not allowed to catch snakes that year. It is believed that only the natives of Shirala are allowed to catch the snakes. Snakes (including the venomous Indian King Cobra) are tracked by their body marks in the soil. The ground is dug up carefully and the snakes are captured.

A lot of care is taken so that snakes are not hurt since that would invoke a curse on the family. Searching for hours might result in procuring seven or eight snakes per group. These snakes are then kept in a big earthen pot which is closed by placing another small earthen pot on its top. A cloth is then tied around the top with a rope. These pots are usually hung outside the house. Every morning till the actual festival, these snakes are taken out of their earthen pots and fed with a rat or frog.

On the day of the festival, the snakes are displayed in a huge procession. The procession begins with the blessings of Ambabai and 70 to 80 groups of snake-catchers and the villagers take part in this procession. Before this procession, in the morning, village women worship these snakes. After the festival the snakes are released at the same place from where they were caught.

Love for Living Ones

Serpents played an important role in the life of ancient Indian people. They were worshipped for prosperity. It was believed that they guarded the treasures buried under the ground. As such, on the Naga Panchami day, no digging of the earth is done. Snakes are also farmers’ friends since they eat rats, insects and frogs which threaten to harm the crops. Hence, farmers refrain from ploughing the fields on Naga Panchami day out of the fear that the sharp head of the plough might harm the cobras. Even the cutting of vegetables is avoided considering the possible threat to this sacred being. In both Kerala and Tamil Nadu serpents are also believed to contribute to the fertility of the soil. This is the reason why priests of some of the serpent temples come from the agrarian community. In all the southern states, the deity under whose name the snake is worshipped is Subramanyam.

Water Spirit

The serpent has also been worshipped as a symbol of water, longevity and wisdom, perhaps because of its wriggling movement, renewal after the sloughing of its skin and the unblinking stare. While in Greek mythology, the world is supported on the shoulders of the mighty giant Atlas, Indian mythology holds that the world is placed upon the raised hood of a huge serpent called ‘Shesha’. There is a view that the serpents are worshipped chiefly because of their power over the element of water. Hendrik Kern, a well known scholar, propounded the theory that the nagas are essentially water spirits. They are personified forces of nature. The serpents are said to haunt lakes and ponds and the sources of rivers and are supposed to be the givers of rain. During the rainy season holes in the ground get filled up with water and so the serpents come out on the earth’s surface. Since they are observed in plenty during this season, the belief that they bring rains might have been reinforced.

Fertility Cult

One of the earliest forms of religion, serpent worship is especially resorted to for offspring. The serpent is supposed to confer fertility on barren women. The roots of the fertility cult run deep in many parts of the country. In the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu it is believed that the curse of sterility can be wiped away by worshipping the Snake God. Barren women worship the snake idols installed under a Peepal tree and then smear it with sandal paste, turmeric and kumkum. They go around the tree 108 times and this is known as Ashwattha Pradakshina. Once the woman becomes a mother, she installs a snake idol under the tree. The reason for this belief is that the snake is a symbol of masculinity. Since pre-historic times it is believed that the snake, a vigorous masculine spirit, makes the earth fertile and a woman being the representative of the earth can be bestowed with fertility by worshipping the same symbol of masculinity. There may be some variation in the period and the mode of observance but Naga Panchami is celebrated in every nook and corner of India according to age-old rites. It continues to testify to the feelings of awe and veneration which the serpent evokes in the minds of people since the earliest times we have cognizance of.

INVENTION

Parachute 

The word parachute comes from the French words 'para' and 'chute'. Used together, they mean 'to shield a fall'. Parachutes had been first imagined and sketched by Leonardo da Vinci. They were reinvented in 1783 by a French chemist, Louis Lenormand, who was also the first to make a parachute jump. 

The material of the parachute has changed a lot since it was invented. But the basic design was not changed until the 1930s. Originally made from canvas, parachutes were later fashioned from silk. 

Today, parachutes are made from 'rip-stop' nylon that is woven with extra thick thread at regular intervals, creating a pattern of small squares. These squares keep small tears from spreading. 

A GUM DISEASE

Gingivitis

In simple words, gingivitis is defined as gum inflammation. An early stage of gum disease if ignored can progress and cause more severe oral health diseases.

Causes: Gingivitis is caused by Bacteria that build up as plaque around the tooth surface if the oral cavity is not properly taken care of. 

What is plaque: Dental plaque is a sticky, biofilm of bacteria that develops around teeth and it happens to everyone. It is the main cause of cavities and gum disease. This bacteria feeds off sugars left from food on teeth thus producing an acidic environment in the oral cavity. Acid attacks the tooth enamel and causes it to break down.

The only best way to deal with it is proper brushing and flossing twice a day with mouth rinsing after every meal, especially after the intake of sweet food.

Symptoms: Healthy gums are pink in color and firm in texture while touching, brushing, massaging, and flossing. While unhealthy gums can show up any of the following symptoms:

● Red, swollen, and painful gums

● Painful while touching, talking, swallowing, and     drinking water

● Bleeding from gums

● Sensitive teeth due to gum shrinkage

Bad breath (Halitosis): If the symptoms are ignored Gingivitis can progress either into ANUG (Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis) or severe Periodontitis which can lead to Bone loss, and tooth loss too.

Prevention: Mild and early stages of gingivitis can be cured with simple precautions and techniques. 

1) Scheduling visits to the dentist every 6 months for regular check-ups.

2) Professional cleaning from Dentist or Hygienist to remove tartar buildup around the tooth.

3) Learning the proper technique of Brushing, flossing.

4) Making the habit of brushing teeth twice a day.

5) Limiting the amount of sticky, sweet, and acidic food and beverages.

6) Consuming a minimum of 2 liters of water per day.

7) Engaging with more fruits and vegetables in the diet.

8) Rinsing the mouth with normal water after every meal.

Treatment: In its early stage, it can be treated by routine dental checkups and Professional cleaning at the dental clinic if required. 

1. Scaling at an early stage prevents the buildup of plaque and tartar formation around the tooth surface and prevents the progression of gum disease. 

2. One must quit smoking, too much alcohol intake, and tobacco use in any form.

3. Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft bristle toothbrush.

Dentist would prescribe Medications in the form of Oral Antibiotics, Analgesics Topical antibiotics, or Xylocaine gel for infection and pain relief if required.

Home remedies: 

A Salt water rinses: It reduces bacterial multiplication, inflammation, pain, swelling, and bad breath.

Method - Take 1/2 teaspoonful of salt and mix it in 1 cup of lukewarm water. Swish for 30 seconds to 1 minute and spit. Repeat it 2- 3 times a day during the early stage of gingivitis and after Professional cleaning for 2-3 days.

Massaging the gums: Massaging the gums regularly twice a day regulates blood flow and thus prevents swelling, pain, and bleeding from the gums

 A Final note: Gingivitis is the most common gum disease which is reversible in the early stage of diagnosis. Moreover, prevention only requires maintaining Proper Oral Hygiene and regular visit to a Dentist for oral cavity checkups. If ignored it progresses to a more severe form of gum disease. So keep your Oral hygiene at bay and rock your Oral health status.

PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT

Jump From Failure to Success

Just because you experience a setback does not mean it's time to give up, in fact failure means you have learnt something and you have to do something differently. Failure does not mean you have wasted your life, instead you have reason to start a fresh. Probably who never made a mistake never succeeded. 

Life is not about what you could not do so far, it's about what you can still do. Winners are not people who never failed, they are the one who never quit. There are many achievers who struggled in their life before achieving success, to quote a few:

● Dhirubhai Ambani worked in a petrol bunk

● Abdul Kalam was rejected in the interview of pilot 

● Amitabh Bachchan was rejected for the job of All India Radio, because of his baritone 

● Sachin Tendulkar failed in tenth standard 

● Michael Jordan was dropped out from his high school basketball team 

● Bill Gates did not even complete his university education 

● Lionel Messi worked as a tea server in a shop to support his football training

● Tony Blair was called as a "Failure" by his teachers 

● Albert Einstein was called as "slow" and also "mentally handicapped" by his teachers. In fact  he did not speak until he turned four years, and did not read until he was seven 

● J K Rowling's book "Harry Potter" was rejected twelve times by the publishers

● Thomas Edison failed 10,000 times while creating a light bulb. But learnt 10,000 ways of not creating a light bulb. 

Hence failure and hard work is a stepping stone to your success. So work hard with strong mind. Remember not to keep postponing work. Set your goals, overcome the obstacle, have a positive attitude, accept the challenges, and thus prove what you are. 

WORLD'S FIRST UNDERWATER SCULPTURE PARK

 Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park

The Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park is a collection of ecological underwater modern art. It is located in the Caribbean ocean off the west coast of Grenada, West Indies. It was created by a British sculptor Jason de Caires Taylor. It is the world's first underwater sculpture park which was opened for public viewing in May 2006. Jason de Caires Taylor is a fully qualified diving instructor and underwater naturalist. With over 17 years of diving experience, Taylor is an award winning underwater photographer. As a diver, he appreciates the sea and believes humans have a natural calling to the water. The sculptures showcased under the sea are made from marine grade cement, sand and micro-silica. He installed cement figures onto the ocean floor, mostly consisting of a range of human forms, from solitary individuals to a ring of children holding hands, facing into the oceanic currents. It is now listed as one of the Top 25 Wonders of the World by National Geographic!

FROM THE PAGES OF SACRED TEXTS

Friendship in Indian mythology

Today is that day of the year when bonds between two friends are celebrated with pomp and show. A friend in need is a friend indeed is a proverb that says a true friend is someone who supports you through difficult times, guards you from harm, and acts as your compass when you’re feeling down to show the proper path. There are plenty of examples in the modern world of people going above and beyond to support their friends. However, what about Indian mythology and sacred texts?

 

Krishna and Arjuna were cousins. The latter’s mother was Kunti, Krishna’s aunt. However, their bond went beyond just kinship. Their friendship had been intimate. One’s gestures made the other person easier to understand. The Mahabharata claims that Krishna and Arjun are the human and divine forms that, when united, are capable of defeating evil. The highlight of their friendship story is when Krishna reads Arjun the Bhagavad Geeta. Even though Arjun was a strong warrior, he was moved to tears when he saw his family at the battlefield. He objected to the triumph being achieved at the expense of millions of lives. Arjun wanted to leave the battlefield. Krishna, however, encouraged him and also shared the divine knowledge. 

Lord Rama received assistance from the monkey king in his search for Devi Sita. Following Sita’s abduction by the demon king Ravana, Rama was forced to search the woods for his spouse. Then, in the course of this search, he came across Sugreev. Given that Sugreev was half human and half monkey, it is unlikely that anyone could have guessed that Rama would make friends with a monkey. And because of their peculiar affinity, he first kept Sugreeva safe from Bali, and the latter later demonstrated his loyalty by standing shoulder to shoulder with Rama to bring his wife back.

Karna, although born a Kshyatria, was raised by a charioteer and his wife, so he was considered a Shudra’s child. The Pandavas humiliated this warrior as he attempted to participate with Arjun. Despite being presented as bad for the most part, Duryodhan here stood for justice. He eventually loses in his attempt to have Karna compete, but as a token of his goodwill, he grants Karna the throne in the Anga province of his empire. Karna always treated Duryodhan as a true friend, despite the possibility that he intended to use Karna to accomplish his evil scheme against the Pandavas. He helped Duryodhan in whatever he did, even going so far as to continuously protect the life of his one and only friend. No wonder, when Kunti asked him to switch sides, Karna argued that he could never leave Duryodhan because he only had one true friend.

The pure and lovely friendship between Lord Krishna and Draupadi broke the notion that a male and female cannot be friends. There is no comparison to the way Draupadi would refer to Lord Krishna as ‘Sakha’ or how dependent she was on him. In order to tend to Lord Krishna’s cut finger, Draupadi sliced a piece of her clothing, demonstrating her concern for Krishna. Later, during the game of dice, the Pandavas lost their kingdom to the Kauravas, their cousins. As a result of their defeat, Draupadi was dragged into the assembly hall, and Dushasan, one of the Kaurava brothers, attempted to disrobe her in front of the entire court. However, Draupadi called out to Lord Krishna for help. Krishna, who was her dear friend and devotee, heard her prayers and came to her aid. It is believed that as Dushasan tried to disrobe Draupadi, her saree garment seemed to have no end, and Krishna miraculously protected her modesty by ensuring that the saree never ran out.

Krishna and Sudama were childhood buddies. Sudama once ate the butter on his own because he was the tall friend who was responsible for stealing it from the pot and would end up getting a less share. Another story says that they became good friends when they were studying in gurukul. One day Sudama ate all the food (beaten rice) alone given by his Guru's wife leaving Krishna hungry when they had gone to the forest to get firewood. He eventually got poorer. So much so that at one point of time he had little to eat. On being repeatedly asked by his wife, Sudama finally arrived at Krishna’s kingdom, Dwarka to get some assistance. However, the palace guards forbade him from entering, but Krishna saw him as a childhood friend and invited him inside. After seeing his condition, Krishna assisted his buddy in constructing a mansion for himself. With his approval, Sudama amassed wealth and led a contented life. In the face of any relationship, their friendship teaches us the value of unconditional love.

USEFUL SCAVENGERS

Crows, kites and coucals 

Crows, kites and vultures are useful scavengers. These birds effectively clean up bodies of dead animals, thus cleansing our surroundings and protecting us from disease and foul smell. 

Crows are scavengers as well as predators. They are omnivores. Their diet ranges from insects, frogs, mice and snakes to roadkill and human garbage. Crows are generally considered as pests. But they perform a valuable service for humanity. Without them, dead animals would be rotting around us, causing hygiene hazards. Remember the Panchatantra story of the intelligent crow which puts pebbles into a pot of water in order to raise its level and quench its thirst? Researchers have found that despite having a nut-sized brain, the crow is as intelligent as a 7-year-old child, and can understand analogies, exercise self control and fashion tools. Highly innovative in hunting food, crows have been known to make hooked tools from soft twigs. They’ve been seen at traffic signals dropping nuts that are difficult to crack for the wheels of passing cars to run over them and break them open. An Oxford University researcher observed a crow bending a wire from its cage with the help of a stone in order to hoist a can of meat. Crows also have an uncanny memory for human faces. They remember those who have been a threat to them.

Black kites and Brahminy kites are the most commonly seen kite species in human habitats, woods and forests. A black kite is not all black but colourfully spotted with brown and grey. A Brahminy kite is brown to golden in colour with a whitish head. When not circling the sky, the black kite can be seen perched on the chimney or the parapet of a building searching for prey. It has exceptional eyesight and can spot prey or a dead creature from kilometres away. The bird’s weapons are its powerful talons and meat ripping bill. It is able to fly high with minimum effort, and dive at an extremely high speed. Some kites eat only snails, some, mainly insects but most are scavengers, feeding on carrion and roadkill. They even snatch kills from other birds. Black kites are intelligent and fearless, and the only birds known to fly towards a wildfire rather than away from it. They do this to catch insects, small birds and mammals that are trying to escape the flames. They have been seen carrying burning twigs and dropping them on dry grass elsewhere to start a fresh fire and flush out more prey.

Coucals belong to the cuckoo family. A coucal is about the size of a crow. Its head is black, its upper mantle and underside are purplish black, and its back and wings are chestnut brown. It is a scavenger as well as a predator. It eats insects, caterpillars, snails, small vertebrates like snakes and dead creatures, as well as eggs and chicks of other birds. After eating a dead animal, it sometimes leaves bits of the animal’s body parts in the nest. Like the crow, it can be seen both at dawn and dusk on trees or on the ground, devouring whatever food comes its way. While some people believe that seeing a coucal first thing in the morning is a good omen, there are others who think that the bird brings bad luck.