Snake In India

1826 Words8 Pages

Reyna Bae
Ms. Driscoll
World Cultures
2/22/2018
The Symbolic and Physical Significance of the Snake in India.

In India there are three main religions practiced, Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. These religions all have a certain respect for animals. Firstly, Jains believe in extreme cases of non violence, and firmly believe in not hurting snakes. Secondly, In Hinduism every living thing is connected with each other through our life force, Brahman. Brahman is within everything living on this world, including snakes. Thirdly, in Buddhism they practice a peaceful religion that is against harming any living creatures. Many of these religions specifically mention snakes because they thrive in India. Snakes usually live agriculturally prominent …show more content…

The meaning of Nag Panchami is that, ‘Nag’ means snake and ‘Panchami’ means fifth day. The festival is held on the fifth day of the bright half of the shravan month. This popular festival is celebrated by much of Nepal and overall all of India. It is held on July 27. The festival’s purpose is to celebrate and worship snakes by giving and or offering milk and honey to them. (Merala). This shows how respected snakes are to Hindu culture. This respect carries over to Hinduism’s similar religion, Buddhism. Relating to the beliefs found in Hinduism, Buddhists also believe in the Nagas. They carry the same respect the Hindus have for snakes. Snakes also have an overall symbolism to many people in India, religious or not. Snakes in India are believed to have power of rain distribution. Nagas, and just plain snakes are commonly known for the ability to control the amount of rain that rains down. Snakes also symbolize many relationships and ideas in India. Snakes are known to symbolize the relationship between the people of India, and nature. For example, if a snake is mean or violent, it is could symbolize the negative bond that is happening between nature and man. Snakes are also known to symbolize India’s environment as a whole. Including its plants, water, and …show more content…

India has a high rodent population because of the vegetation and grasslands. Snakes eat rodents, as a result, snakes have a steady source of food. That means they have enough protein and food to start a greater population. India has many natural hiding places such as the mountains, villages and plains that are ideal for a snake to live in. With almost guaranteed safety, they can increase their population. With a steady, good source of food, a safe habitat, and no overpowering predator, snakes can overpopulate in this agriculturally based economy. So many people get snakes bites as a result of the rural places, laws, and lack of equipment to protect themselves. So much of India is rural land that many people encounter snakes in farms. (Whitaker) There is also a law against hurting or killing snakes if they are not poisonous, or if they are not attacking someone. (Nadu). This law is called the Wildlife (Protection) Act which was created and enforced every since 1972. People in agriculturally dependant and rural places additionally do not have the right equipment to defend or avoid a snake bite. In fact, most people do not wear shoes or long pants because of the hot weather and the lack of money they have to buy these essentials. As a result, they wear clothes that show much of their skin which makes it easier for a snake to bite someone. Many people also do not have a good light source. This makes it

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