The Integral Role of Naga Devatas

Naga Devatas play an integral role in human life and spiritual progression. In our previous article, we covered the specific eating habits of the Nagas, which will help readers seamlessly relate this new piece to our earlier discussions.

The link for that article is here.

The Cosmic Time of the Nagas: The Power of Shanivara

Time operates on a vastly different scale in the spiritual realm. Seven human days equal exactly one day for the Naga Devatas. For them, the day begins at sunset on Saturday and ends at sunset the next Saturday.

Shani Bhagavan is considered the most powerful among the Navagrahas, and perhaps because of this immense power, the Naga day starts and ends on Shanivara (Saturday). It is said that Shani Bhagavan can both bring and stop any calamity. He can even halt the fierce agni (fire) of Mahadeva for a brief moment, a profound act he once performed to save the world. While the exact textual source of this specific event escapes memory, this incredible mahatva (greatness) of Shani Bhagavan remains widely known.

Even within Saura Vidya, there is a specific mantra of Surya Bhagavan that must be chanted daily, but it becomes absolutely mandatory on Saturday evenings. Usually, we hold the conception that any Surya mantra is highly potent on Sundays. However, this particular Surya mantra is a rare exception; it is capable of stopping all Navagraha doshas and specifically requires us to chant it on Saturday evenings after sandhyavandana. This Saturday evening period belongs to Ananta Naga, who is the Surya graha swarupa (embodiment of the Sun).

Ashta Nagas: The Embodiments of the Navagrahas

All Ashta Nagas are the direct embodiments of the Navagrahas. Because of this profound connection, worshipping the Nagas comprehensively takes care of one’s life in this world and beyond.

Let us look closely at the direct links between the Nagas and the Navagrahas:

• Ananta Naga is linked with Surya Bhagavan.

• Vasuki Nagaraja is linked with Chandra Bhagavan.

• Takshaka Naga is linked with Ankaraka Bhagavan.

• Karkotaka Naga is linked with Budha Bhagavan.

• Padma Naga is linked with Brhaspati Bhagavan.

• Mahapadma Naga is linked with Shukra Bhagavan.

• Shankhapala Naga is linked with Shani Bhagavan.

• Gulika Naga is linked with Rahu-Ketu Bhagavan.

The Rulership of Naga Devatas: Elaborate Time Calculations

All these eight Nagas rule specific portions of the single Naga day. Let us explore the details of these calculations elaborately.

In traditional timekeeping, 1 ghatika equals 24 minutes. Therefore, a human day consists of 1,440 minutes. For the Nagas, a day consists of 420 ghatikas, totaling 10,080 minutes, which is exactly 7 human days.

When we break this down into human timeframes, the rulership is divided as follows:

• Ananta Naga rules for 60 ghatikas: 60 x 24 = 1,440 minutes, which is 24 hours (1 whole day) starting from the Saturday 6:00 PM to Sunday 6:00 PM.

• Vasuki Nagaraja rules for 90 ghatikas: 90 x 24 = 2,160 minutes, which is 36 hours (one and a half days) starting from the Sunday 6:00 PM to Tuesday 6:00 AM.

• Takshaka Naga rules for 50 ghatikas: 50 x 24 = 1,200 minutes, which is 20 hours starting from the  Tuesday 6:00 AM to Wednesday 2:00 AM.

• Karkotaka Naga rules for 40 ghatikas: 40 x 24 = 960 minutes, which is 16 hours starting from the Wednesday 2:00 AM to Wednesday 6:00 PM.

• Padma Naga rules for 80 ghatikas: 80 x 24 = 1,920 minutes, which is 32 hours starting from the  Wednesday 6:00 PM to Friday 2:00 AM.

• Mahapadma Naga rules for 70 ghatikas: 70 x 24 = 1,680 minutes, which is 28 hours starting from the Friday 2:00 AM to Saturday 6:00 AM.

• Shankhapala Naga rules for 15 ghatikas: 15 x 24 = 360 minutes, which is 6 hours starting from the Saturday 6:00 AM to Saturday 12:00 Noon.

• Gulika Naga rules for 15 ghatikas: 15 x 24 = 360 minutes, which is 6 hours starting from the Saturday 12:00 Noon to Saturday 6:00 PM.

Dispelling Misconceptions: The Unity of Garudi and Naga Vidya

A general misconception, often based purely on common sense, is that Garudi Vidya is against Naga Vidya. However, spirituality is inherently beyond common sense and sometimes even extends beyond written texts. We cannot arrive at valid conclusions based on a superficial understanding. Spirituality is beyond science: whatever is measurable falls under the domain of science, and whatever remains immeasurable stays safely within the fold of spirituality.

In Garudi Vidya, these Ashta Nagas—along with Powndra Naga, Kaliya Naga, and Elapatra Naga—hold a highly venerated place. These Ashta Nagas have a separate tarpana within the sandhyavandana of Garudi Vidya. In fact, while practicing Garudi Vidya, one must chant the Ashta Naga mantras at one-tenth the count of the Garuda japa; this practice is mandatory for attaining both kamya phalida (desired results) and moksha (ultimate liberation).

Although Garudi Vidya superficially appears to be a vishanashana vidya (a science for destroying poison), it is, in absolute truth, a papanashana vidya (a science for destroying sins).

The Awakening of Kundalini and Ultimate Liberation