Why is Subrahmanya Always Depicted with Snakes?

Nandi Ashram, Sungai Petani

Have you realised that most Subrahmaṇya temples house a shrine for Sarpa Devata ? 

The role of Subrahmaṇya as the Lord of Serpents is not well-known.

Ghati Subrahmaṇya temple, Karnataka where Sarpa Worship is very prominent.

Tirumala hill, on which Lord Veṅkaṭeśvara presides, is also known as 'Śeṣagiri' (Śeṣa: King of Sarpa; Giri: Mountain). Subrahmaṇya is personified as the very Tirumala hill itself in the verse 'sarpa svarūpa dhara'.

This verse is from Muttusvāmi Dīkṣita's Subrahmaṇya Kṛti

Image: Subrahmaṇya as the Lord of Serpents in the famous Kukke Subrahmaṇya temple, Karnataka

In the Yajur Veda, we have something called the Sarpa Sūktam. This portion speaks about the various forms of Sarpa-s and their significance. Sarpa is not a synonym to snake. Sarpa is a term given to a classification of entities that possibly include Nāga-s, serpents, dragons and other variants alike.

There is another name for Sarpa Sūktam. It is called Subrahmaṇya Sūktam.

Video : Sarpa Sūktam recitation by my student Margot

Although Sarpa Sūktam does not talk about Subrahmaṇya, it is still attributed to Him since there is a relation to serpents. It is recited in Subrahmaṇya pūja-s.

In fact, our Batu Caves complex which imbibes the vibes of Skanda is a site to get rid of Sarpa doṣa. It is a spot often referred by experienced astrologers and experts in Malaysia for those who are experiencing a tremendous down-pull from sarpa doṣa. Common experiences from devotees include relief from dreams related to snakes after stepping into the shrine.

Image: Kerling's Subrahmanya Temple, Selangor

Another famous temple specializing in diluting Sarpa Doṣa is Kerling's Subrahmaṇya Temple.

Even if a Muruka temple does not hold a Nāga Shrine, you can always find its symbolism in an adjacent Gaṇapati shrine.

Image: Peepal tree Gaṇapati - Bakar Bata Mariamman, Alor Setar

A Muruka temple will always house a Gaṇapati shrine under a Peepal tree. Interestingly, this shrine will be accompanied by sculptures of Sarpa Devata-s.

Image: Sarpa Vināyaka in Paḻaṉi

Why the slither ? 

In the Hindu culture, serpents are a representation of kuṇḍalini śakti ( The potential energy in you, which once aroused leads to spiritual awakening through the cakra-s ).



Look at the image above. This is the representation of the two Nāḍīs (energy circuits, not nerves. Nāḍīs are not to be confused with nerves) - Iḍā and Piṅgalā, through which the Kuṇḍalinī ascends.

In the yogic culture, the Kuṇḍalinī is described as a sleeping serpent that ascends along the Nāḍīs through the spinal column once aroused. The vertebral column in a human is very similar to a serpent, actually.

Subrahmaṇya is the direct representation of Kuṇḍalinī Śakti. As the Kuṇḍalinī is inert, it represents Śiva. As it awakens and gets activated, it becomes Śakti. Śiva (pure inert consciousness) and Śakti (expression of consciousness as activity) govern the universe.

Subrahmaṇya is actually Śiva-Śakti tattva. He was born from Śiva's third eye, and He receives the vel (lance) from His mother Devī Pārvatī, Who is Śakti.

Image: The Murukā Yantra - The upper triangle represents Śiva. The down-pointing one represents Śakti. The Yantra for Lord Murukā is nothing but a Śiva-Śakti combination.

So the significance of Subrahmaṇya as the lord of serpents is as a deity who helps awaken your Kuṇḍalinī. This is why Subrahmaṇya is very popular in the Siddha tradition. He is known as the Siddha among Siddhas. He is an ideal deity for those who seek enlightenment.

As the lord of Sarpa, He can awaken the serpent of Kuṇḍalinī in you and raise your spiritual consciousness.

Video: My student Kum. Shravanthi and I reciting the Sarpa Suktam

The medical vector symbol well-known by physicians. It actually denotes the Kuṇḍalinī śakti..

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