Nag
Panchami
Vrat
Katha

Nag Panchami Vrat Katha

According to a popular Nag Panchami legend, a wealthy merchant lived in a town with his seven sons and their wives. Among all the daughters-in-law, the youngest was known for her gentle nature, wisdom, and kindness.

One day, all the daughters-in-law went together to dig yellow clay for household work. While digging, a snake suddenly emerged from the ground. The eldest daughter-in-law raised her tool to kill it, but the youngest stopped her.

"Do not harm it," she said. "The snake has done nothing wrong."

Hearing this, the snake's life was spared. The snake quietly moved aside and sat nearby. Before leaving, the youngest daughter-in-law told the snake that she would return with milk for it. However, after reaching home, she became busy with household duties and completely forgot her promise.

The next day, she remembered and hurried back carrying a bowl of milk. To her surprise, the snake was still waiting.

Feeling ashamed, she folded her hands and said, "Brother, forgive me. I forgot my promise."

The snake replied, "I was angry because you did not return. But since you called me brother, I forgive you. From today, you are my sister."

The young woman happily accepted the snake as her brother. She asked for nothing in return except that he should come whenever she remembered him.

Some time later, during the month of Shravan, all the daughters-in-law prepared to visit their parental homes. The youngest daughter-in-law became sad because she had no brother to take her home.

At that moment, a man arrived claiming to be her distant relative. He was actually the same snake in human form. With the family's permission, he took her along.

On the way, he revealed his true identity and told her not to be afraid. Soon they reached Naglok, the divine realm of serpents.

The young woman was amazed by its beauty, wealth, and splendor. The snake introduced her to his mother and family. Everyone welcomed her warmly, and she began living there happily.

One day, she noticed that the serpent mother cooled milk before feeding the young snakes and rang a bell to call them. Wanting to help, the young woman tried doing the same. But she rang the bell before the milk had cooled completely.

As the young snakes rushed to drink it, several of them burned their hoods.

The young serpents became furious and wanted to punish her. However, their mother calmed them down and reminded them that the woman was their brother's beloved sister. Eventually, everyone forgave her.

When it was time for her to return home, the serpent family gifted her immense wealth, precious jewels, and a magnificent necklace.

Seeing her riches, the elder daughter-in-law sarcastically remarked, "If your brother gave so much wealth, he should have also given you a golden broom."

When the serpent brother heard this, he immediately fulfilled the wish and sent a golden broom as well.

Soon, the fame of the woman's beautiful necklace spread throughout the kingdom. When the queen heard about it, she wished to wear it. The king ordered the necklace to be brought to the palace.

Out of fear, the merchant's family handed it over.

The young woman was heartbroken and prayed to her serpent brother for help.

He assured her, "Do not worry. The necklace will return to you."

As soon as the queen wore the necklace, it transformed into a living serpent. Terrified, she threw it away.

The king immediately summoned the young woman and demanded an explanation. Before she could speak, the serpent brother appeared before the royal court and declared:

"She is my sister, and the necklace belongs to her."

Witnessing this miracle, the king, queen, and everyone present bowed before the serpent deity.

From that day onward, people began worshipping Nag Devta with devotion, and the sacred festival of Nag Panchami came to be celebrated.