The "Naga" is the divine aspect of the cobra found in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions. The word ‘Naga’ in Sanskrit means "serpent". In Hindi it is called ‘Nag’.
In mythology snake means duality of mind which needs to be controlled. In Srimad Bhagwad, Kalia the snake was tamed by Krishna and not killed. The right age for taming is when one enters school. Taming of mind is done by consciousness (Krishna).
“Nag” in mythology means ‘ego’. Sheshnag represent a ‘Nag” with 5 heads. The five heads represents the five senses. Sheshnag therefore represents the one who has learned to control his ego and the five senses will automatically come under control. In Bhagwad Gita, Krishna says that “amongst the Nags I am Sheshnag”, which again means that I can be in touch with consciousness only by learning to control the ego and the five senses.
“Nag Devta” in mythology means the one who has learned to control his mind and ego.
The description of ‘Nag’ also comes in reference to Lord Shiva wearing it around his neck, Krishna being protected by him at the time of birth, Vishnu being protected by him when he is sleeping in the ocean. In all these situations, the ‘Nag’ is shown with the mouth turned inward.
To acquire spirituality one must control the ego and keep the desires inwards and not have egocentric desires. Controlling the ego is depicted as a snake sitting over the basket and guarding Lord Krishna at the time of birth.
Krishna controls Kalia. Here ‘Kalia’ represents the disturbed duality of mind. To control the mind Krishna has to win over Kalia, and this he does by dancing over its head.
The ‘Nag’ around Lord Shiva’s neck means to keep your ego under control. Same is true for Lord Vishnu being protected by Sheshnag when he is sleeping. The message is very clear we should keep our ego under control.
Nagpanchami is another festival that tells us how to tame the ego. Here ‘Nag’ (the poisonous snake) represents ego. In Chaturmas, when the festival is observed, chances of becoming egoistic are high as this is the most negative period of the year.
We can only face ego with humility (namrata and madhurta). Ego cannot be faced with ego or it will end up with destruction. Giving milk to the snake means feeding the ego temporarily and nor running away from it and not confronting it. One cannot ignore a person who behaves in an egoistic manner nor can one confront him or her. In both these situations the egoistic behavior can turn into aggressive destructive behavior.
Krishna is depicted as a person with blue skin (everything is possible), yellow skin (I can do it) and a flute in his hand (egoless behavior). It symbolizes that one can do anything in life provides he learns to control the ego and practices humility.
Hanuman’s journey to Lanka is another example which signifies this. On his journey to Lanka, Hanuman faces Sursa the snake woman. She had a boon that everybody who comes before her must pass through her mouth. However, when she wanted to swallow Hanuman, he became bigger and bigger so she also had to become bigger and bigger. Then Hanuman suddenly became very small and went in through her ear, coming out of her mouth, thus fulfilling the boon.
This depicts that if you get egoistic thoughts during meditation you should face them with humility and they will disappear. (Hanuman ki adhyatmic yatra).
In Ramayana and Krishna Lila, Ravana and Kansa respectively represent ego. Ego cannot be killed my mind. Lakshman cannot kill Ravana. It can only be killed by consciousness (Rama or Krishna). Ego cannot be tamed it can only be killed. Ravana and Kansa will have to get killed. Ego cannot be killed in one day. It has to be an effortful activity. In both Ramayana and Krishna Lila it took time for Rama and Krishna to kill Ravana and Kansa.
To kill ego one has to learn to take control over the mind and the intellect first. In Ramayana to kill Ravana Rama had to first befriend Hanumana (controlling Prana Vayu to control the mind) and Sugriva (controlling intellect with one point concentration).
In Krishna Lila too, Krishna had to first control the mind (Tame Kalia the snake) before killing Kansa and win over Indra (Govardhan Pooja with one point concentration).
No comments:
Post a Comment