You might wonder why Panchami is ruled by the Nagas. What’s the story behind it? The Varaha Purana narrates the events that took place on Panchami.
Once upon a time, Lord Brahma was creating the world. His first creation was Kashyapa. Kashyapa married Kadru, the beautiful daughter of Daksha. Together they had many children, and among them, Ananta, Vasuki, Kambala, Karkotaka, Padma, Mahapadma, Sankha, and Kulika were the chief serpents.
These sons were powerful and destructive. Their stings could reduce anyone to ashes. The human population began to decline because of them. As the earth filled with the progeny of serpents, humans could no longer bear their presence. They went to Brahma and said, “Oh Lord, these serpents are destroying your creation. If they are not stopped, both men and beasts will soon vanish from the earth.”
Lord Brahma assured them of protection and asked them to return to their homes. Then he summoned all the serpents and their leaders, including Vasuki, and cursed them in anger. He said, “Since you are destroying my creation, your population will face a great decline due to the curse of the Mother in the Swayambhu Manvantara.”
The serpents fell at Brahma’s feet and pleaded, “Oh Lord, we were born crooked and evil by birth. You are our creator. How can we change our nature?”
Brahma replied, “Even if you are crooked and evil, what gave you the right to destroy my progeny?”
The serpents then requested him to reduce the intensity of their cruelty and to assign them another region to live in.
Brahma agreed and allotted them the regions of Patala, Vitala, and Sutala. He said, “You will dwell there and enjoy all luxuries until the seventh Manvantara. But in the Vaivasvata Manvantara, you will befriend the Devas and the mighty Garuda. Your progeny will perish, but you will remain unharmed. You must agree never to bite humans unless they are destined to die or wish to harm you. You must flee from those who recite mantras, wear Garuda symbols, or take protective medicines.”
After this, the serpents went to Patala and lived there peacefully. The event took place on the Panchami tithi, and that is how the Nagas became the deities of this day. Anyone who worships them, recites their praises, bathes them in milk, and keeps a fast on Panchami tithi will be protected by the Nagas.
