Naag Panchami Katha

In ancient times, there was a wealthy merchant who had seven sons. All seven were married. The youngest son's wife was virtuous, wise, and well-mannered, but she had no brothers.

One day, the eldest daughter-in-law asked all the daughters-in-law to accompany her to fetch yellow clay for plastering the house. They all took baskets* and spades and began digging for clay. Suddenly, a snake appeared, and the eldest daughter-in-law started hitting it with her spade.

Seeing this, the youngest daughter-in-law stopped her and said, "Don't kill it! This poor creature is innocent." Hearing this, the eldest daughter-in-law refrained from killing it, and the snake slithered aside. Then the youngest daughter-in-law said to the snake, "We will return soon. Don’t leave this place." Saying this, she went home with the others, carrying the clay. Busy with household chores, she forgot her promise to the snake.

The next day, she remembered her promise and returned to the spot with everyone. Seeing the snake still sitting there, she said, "Brother Snake, greetings!" The snake replied, "Since you’ve called me brother, I’ll spare you. Otherwise, I would have bitten you for breaking your word."

She said, "Brother, I made a mistake. I apologize for it."

The snake then said, "Very well. From today, you are my sister, and I am your brother. Ask for whatever you desire."

She replied, "I have no brother. It’s wonderful that you’ve become my brother."

After some days, the snake took human form and came to her house, saying, "Send my sister with me." Everyone said, "But she has no brother!" He replied, "I am her distant cousin brother. I left home in childhood." Convinced, the family sent the youngest daughter-in-law with him.

On the way, he revealed, "I am that snake, so don’t be afraid. If the path gets difficult, hold my tail." She did as instructed and reached his home. Astonished by its wealth and splendor, she marveled. One day, the snake’s mother told her, "I’m going out for some work. Give your brother cold milk to drink."

She forgot and gave him hot milk instead, severely burning his mouth. Enraged, the snake’s mother scolded her, but the snake calmed her down. He then said, "It’s time to send our sister back home." The snake and his father gifted her gold, silver, jewels, clothes, and ornaments before sending her home.

Seeing such wealth, the eldest daughter-in-law said enviously, "Your brother is very rich. You should bring even more from him." Hearing this, the snake brought everything in gold. The eldest daughter-in-law then said, "Even the broom to sweep should be made of gold." So, the snake brought a golden broom too.

The snake had given the youngest daughter-in-law a magnificent necklace of diamonds and gems. Hearing of its beauty, the queen of that land demanded it from the king. The king ordered his minister to fetch it. The minister went to the merchant and said, "The queen wishes to wear the youngest daughter-in-law’s necklace. Hand it over." Fearing the king, the merchant took the necklace from her and gave it away.

This deeply upset the youngest daughter-in-law. She remembered her snake brother and prayed for his help. When he arrived, she pleaded, "Brother, the queen has taken my necklace. Make it turn into a snake around her neck until she returns it, and back into gems when I get it back." The snake did exactly that. As soon as the queen wore it, it turned into a snake, making her scream and cry.

Hearing this, the king summoned the youngest daughter-in-law. Fearing punishment, the merchant himself accompanied her to the court.

The king demanded, "What sorcery is this? I will punish you!" She replied, "Your Majesty, forgive my boldness, but this necklace is enchanted—it remains gems around my neck but turns into a snake around anyone else’s." The king returned the snake-necklace and said, "Prove it by wearing it now." As soon as she wore it, it transformed back into diamonds and gems.

Convinced, the king rewarded her generously with coins. She returned home with her necklace and the rewards. Seeing her wealth, the eldest daughter-in-law, consumed by jealousy, poisoned her husband’s mind, saying, "The youngest daughter-in-law’s wealth comes from suspicious means." Hearing this, her husband confronted her, "Tell me truthfully—who gave you all this wealth?" She then remembered the snake.

Instantly, the snake appeared and declared, "If anyone doubts my sister’s virtue, I will devour them!" Hearing this, her husband was overjoyed and honored the snake god. From that day on, the festival of Nag Panchami is celebrated, where women worship snakes as their brothers.