Hindu mythology is very rich. It has lots of stories of divine bodies symbolizing wisdom, protection, strength, and faith. Maa Manasa Devi is one of them. She is regarded as the goddess of snakes, health, prosperity, and fertility. A large number of Hindus worship her and wish for their well-being. Let’s know more about Maa Manasa Devi, her story, importance, rituals & festivals associated with her, and more in a proper sequence. Whether you are an ardent devotee of hers or just curious about Hindu culture, this blog will help you understand her importance thoroughly.
Who is Manasa Devi?
The word Manasa comes from the Sanskrit word "manas," meaning mind. She is the goddess of snakes, representing poison, wisdom, and the forces of nature. People worship her, offer milk, fruits, and clay pots to please her. It is believed that she protects folks and crops. Devotees argue that she turns dangers into blessings through faith. Remember, Manasa Devi connects humans with the snake world (popularly known as Nagas) and represents the divine feminine energy. She balances creation and destruction.
Manasa Devi Story
As per Hindu mythology, Manasa Devi is considered the daughter of Lord Shiva. One version of the legend argues that she was born from Shiva’s mind. While the other version says that she was the daughter of a celestial being and Shiva. Vasuki, the king of serpents, brought her up. He treated her like his sister. Because of his influence, Manasa felt associated with snakes.
Despite the fact that she was Shiva’s daughter, people did not give her the same respect and recognition as other gods and goddesses. They did not worship her. Furthermore, several gods denied her status as a powerful goddess. Seeing this, she became disappointed. But she had a desire that people also worship her like other deities. But the problem was that they were afraid of her because of her association with snakes.
To prove her power, she married Jaratkaru, a sage. The couple had a son named Astika. He played an important role in the Mahabharata. He intervened in King Janamejaya’s snake sacrifice, which was aimed at eliminating all snakes (to avenge his father's death).
Upon his request, Janamejaya stopped the ritual. It saved the Naga race. This incident highlighted Manasa’s role in maintaining balance between humans and the serpent world & established her as a protector.
Her conflict with Chand Sadagar, a wealthy merchant and devout follower of Shiva, is also famous. According to the mythology, Chand Sadagar used to consider Manasa inferior to Shiva and refused to worship her. This angered her. She killed six of his seven sons with snakebites, caused famines, and sank his trading boats. Moreover, his seventh son, Lakhindar, was also killed by a snake (sent by Manasa) on his wedding night.
Behula, the wife of Lakhindar, refused to accept her husband’s death. She went on a dangerous journey, wrapped Lakhindar’s body on a banana raft, floated down a river, and demanded divine intervention.
It pleased the gods. They granted her an audience in heaven. There, she pleased the gods with a divine dance. They revived Lakhindar and Chand’s sons & wealth. This impressed him. He unwillingly agreed to worship Manasa and offered her a flower with his left hand. It symbolized partial submission.
Symbolism of Manasa Devi Statues
Manasa Devi statues carry symbolic meaning. Usually, she is displayed as a charming woman sitting on a lotus or a swan. It symbolizes her purity. Seven cobra hoods above her head display her spiritual energy and control over snakes. She holds things in her hands, symbolizing certain values-
- Pot- for abundance.
- Fruit- for fertility
- Snakes- protection.
Lessons From Maa Manasa Devi
Maa Manasa Devi’s mythological stories offer valuable lessons for individuals.
Rising Strong After Rejection
Rising Strong After Rejection
Remember, many humans, gods, and even her stepmother, Parvati, rejected Manasa Devi in the initial days and did not recognize her divine status. But she did not lose her courage. Her son Astika saved the Naga race, establishing her divine presence. Her struggle teaches us to go ahead in life despite disappointments and failures. We must take all possible efforts to turn challenges into opportunities for recognition and growth.
The Power of Devotion & Faith
Mansa’s encounter with Chand Sadagar and Behula’s devotion towards her husband highlight the power of faith. It displays the fact that true faith can conquer even the greatest hurdles.
Balancing Authority & Compassion
Maa Manasa Devi symbolizes both strength and compassion. She punished Chand Sadagar for his refusal to worship her and displayed mercy when he showed devotion. Her ability to control snakes and heal snakebites reflects her ability to use power with responsibility. It teaches humans to exercise firmness and kindness perfectly in relationships and communities.
Respect for Nature’s Forces
Manasa Devi represents nature & has the power to harm and protect. By worshipping her, devotees acknowledge the peaceful coexistence with nature & respect the divine power. In modern times, it teaches humans to protect wildlife and maintain ecological balance.
The Value of Community and Tradition
Festivals and rituals dedicated to Manasa Devi unite people, bring them together, and encourage them to preserve old cultural traditions & heritage.
Festivals and Rituals Associated with Maa Manasa Devi
An overwhelming number of people worship Maa Manasa Devi for protection from snakebites, fertility, and prosperity. Many festivals and rituals are associated with her.
Manasa Puja
It is the main festival dedicated to Maa Manasa Devi. It takes place during the monsoon season, Shravan or Bhadra (July–September). During this period, due to rain and flooding, snakes are hyperactive. It increases the risk of snakebites to a great extent. People worship her, offer milk, fruits, flowers, and sweets to clay or metal idols of Manasa Devi to please her. They recite specific mantras to invoke her protection. Many devotees, especially women, observe fasts to display devotion.
Nag Panchami
A large number of devotees celebrate this festival on the fifth day of Shravan. They visit the nearby Manasa Devi Temples or other serpent deities and worship snakes. They also organize theatrical performances or storytelling sessions about her victory over Chand Sadagar or Behula’s devotion.
Apart from this, people worship Manasa Devi daily or on special religious occasions to seek her blessings and protection from unpleasant happenings.
Conclusion
Maa Manasa Devi symbolizes struggle, wisdom, protection, human faith, and spiritual power. From being a lesser-known or ignored goddess to becoming one of the most worshipped deities, she displays divine authority and resilience. Worship her daily or on special occasions; she protects individuals from difficulties and rewards them with health, fertility, protection, and prosperity. Jay Maa Manasa Devi. Cottage9 is the best online hub to get handcrafted statues and paintings of various gods. Explore the product catalog today & shop now.
