The snake is an important creature in many ancient cultures particularly associated with transformation and mysticism. In Hindu and Buddhist traditions, the Nagas feature as semi-divine beings, with both positive and negative associations. In many cultures, the serpent is associated with the creation of the world – for instance, in ancient Egypt, the serpent Sito was believed to have created the world; in China, it was two half-human, half-divine beings called Fuxi and Nuwa and in Australia, the indigenous people believe the Rainbow Serpent to have created the world. In Greek mythology, the god of medicine, Asclepius has a snake coiled around his staff (Rod of Asclepius), associating the serpent with healing.
Patanjali, the father of yoga who gave us the Yoga Sutras, is said to have been half-human and half-serpent. He is, in fact, considered to be the avatar of Adi Shesha, the cosmic serpent on whom Vishnu reclines and who is his great devotee, taking avatars alongside Vishnu, such as Lakshmana and Balarama. Other prominent divine roles include the snake Shiva wears around his neck, Vasuki, and the Kundalini energy, the very embodiment of Shakti, that is depicted as a coiled snake at the Muladhara chakra. Shakti is the creative energy, and so this symbolism again echoes the stories of snakes as creators of the world in other cultures. The way the awakened energy moves in our human body is in the form of the Kundalini serpent – the electrical charges that open up our consciousness and extra-sensory perception.
For the spiritual seeker, there are two main aspects that the snake represents – Stillness and Sensing.
Alertness, Stillness and Awareness
The snake is not only known for its ability to be absolutely still physically, but it is also known to have heightened awareness and is very sensitive to vibrations, changes in the earth (that help it to for e.g. sense earthquakes much before time) and even the chemistry of human beings. The snake around Shiva’s neck symbolizes the alertness of a conscious or meditative state.
The heightened awareness of snakes symbolizes the ‘awakeness’ of Consciousness. It is a reminder to spiritual seekers to always be conscious and aware.
Sensing
Consciousness is a dimension beyond the mind and five senses. A different kind of sense or ‘sensing’ is involved in the knowing of It. The snake, which is highly sensitive in its body and does not ‘think’ like humans, symbolizes this extra-sensory perception. This is the reason why the snake is often associated with mysticism. The snake symbolizes the opening up of this dimension of mystic exploration in human beings because access here is through this different kind of ‘sensing’.
Short Practice – Earthing
To understand this a little better and to honour this dimension on this auspicious day of Naga Panchami, you can try a simple exercise for a few minutes. Here we explore what ‘sensing’ means, through the fact that the snake is associated with the Muladhara chakra and the earth element.
Sit in a room with as little sensory input as possibly i.e. preferably a dark, quiet room. Close your eyes and feel yourself in the earth – as a creature that lives in and on the soil. A creature, like an earthworm or other insect or a reptile, even a snake – whatever you prefer. This creature has no mind or thinking, maybe not even the five senses. Just feel what it feels like to be this creature. Not mentally, but with your body.
Imagine yourself in the earth, going in and out of the soil and moving closely with it, on it. Feel the darkness of the earth that leaves you only with your sensing ability.
Sit a few minutes like this. You will begin to know what it is to live by sensing rather than thinking or seeing, hearing, etc. It is this dimension that the yogis have always tried to point us to.
