Naag Stotram (Sarpa Stotram): Serpent Hymn with Meaning & Benefits
Naag Stotram - Sanskrit Text
ब्रह्मलोके च ये सर्पाः शेषनागाः पुरोगमाः।
नमोऽस्तु तेभ्यः सुप्रीताः प्रसन्नाः सन्तु मे सदा॥१॥
विष्णुलोके च ये सर्पाः वासुकिप्रमुखाश्च ये।
नमोऽस्तु तेभ्यः सुप्रीताः प्रसन्नाः सन्तु मे सदा॥२॥
रुद्रलोके च ये सर्पाः तक्षकप्रमुखास्तथा।
नमोऽस्तु तेभ्यः सुप्रीताः प्रसन्नाः सन्तु मे सदा॥३॥
खाण्डवस्य तथा दाहे स्वर्गं च ये समाश्रिताः।
नमोऽस्तु तेभ्यः सुप्रीताः प्रसन्नाः सन्तु मे सदा॥४॥
सर्पसत्रे च ये सर्पाः आस्तीकेन अभिरक्षिताः।
नमोऽस्तु तेभ्यः सुप्रीताः प्रसन्नाः सन्तु मे सदा॥५॥
प्रलये चैव ये सर्पाः कार्कोटकप्रमुखाश्च ये।
नमोऽस्तु तेभ्यः सुप्रीताः प्रसन्नाः सन्तु मे सदा॥६॥
धर्मलोके च ये सर्पाः वैतरण्यां समाश्रिताः।
नमोऽस्तु तेभ्यः सुप्रीताः प्रसन्नाः सन्तु मे सदा॥७॥
ये सर्पाः पर्वतेषु च दरीसन्धिषु संस्थिताः।
नमोऽस्तु तेभ्यः सुप्रीताः प्रसन्नाः सन्तु मे सदा॥८॥
ग्रामे वा यदि वारण्ये ये सर्पाः प्रचरन्ति च।
नमोऽस्तु तेभ्यः सुप्रीताः प्रसन्नाः सन्तु मे सदा॥९॥
पृथिव्यां चैव ये सर्पाः ये सर्पा बिलसंस्थिताः।
नमोऽस्तु तेभ्यः सुप्रीताः प्रसन्नाः सन्तु मे सदा॥१०॥
रसातले च ये सर्पाः अनन्तादि महाबलाः।
नमोऽस्तु तेभ्यः सुप्रीताः प्रसन्नाः सन्तु मे सदा॥११॥
॥ इति नागस्तोत्रम् सम्पूर्णम् ॥
Transliteration (Roman/IAST)
brahmaloke ca ye sarpāḥ śeṣanāgāḥ purogamāḥ |
namo'stu tebhyaḥ suprītāḥ prasannāḥ santu me sadā ||1||
viṣṇuloke ca ye sarpāḥ vāsukipramukhāśca ye |
namo'stu tebhyaḥ suprītāḥ prasannāḥ santu me sadā ||2||
rudraloke ca ye sarpāḥ takṣakapramukhāstathā |
namo'stu tebhyaḥ suprītāḥ prasannāḥ santu me sadā ||3||
(… and so through all eleven verses, each closing with the refrain …)
namo'stu tebhyaḥ suprītāḥ prasannāḥ santu me sadā ||
Meaning
The Naag Stotram is a salutation to the serpent deities (nagas) dwelling in every realm of creation. The refrain repeated in every verse is the heart of the hymn: “Salutations to them; may they, well-pleased and gracious, always be favourable to me.” Verse by verse the devotee honours the serpents of Brahmaloka led by Shesha; of Vishnuloka led by Vasuki; of Rudraloka led by Takshaka; those connected with the burning of the Khandava forest; those protected by the sage Astika at the serpent-sacrifice; the serpents of the dissolution led by Karkotaka; those of Dharmaloka by the Vaitarani river; those dwelling in mountains and crevices; those moving in villages and forests; those in holes upon the earth; and the mighty Ananta and others in the netherworld. It is a prayer for the goodwill and protection of all serpents everywhere.
About this Stotra/Mantra
The Naag Stotram (also called Sarpa Stotram) is a traditional eleven-verse hymn recited to seek the blessings of the nagas and to ward off the fear and harm associated with snakes. In Hindu cosmology the serpents are powerful semi-divine beings - Shesha bears the worlds on his hoods, Vasuki served as the churning-rope of the cosmic ocean, and the nagas guard hidden treasures and the waters. This stotra gathers all of them into a single reverent salutation, region by region, so that none is left unhonoured.
Significance & Spiritual Benefits
The hymn is chanted especially on Nag Panchami and during serpent worship for protection from snakebite, fear of snakes and the unseen harm attributed to offended nagas. Devotees recite it for relief from Sarpa Dosha / Kala Sarpa Dosha, for the blessing of progeny (serpents are linked with fertility and lineage), for the curing of skin ailments and chronic afflictions, and for peace and prosperity in the home. Above all it cultivates an attitude of harmony with the often-feared powers of nature, asking only for their goodwill.
Astrological Relevance
In Jyotisha the serpents are intimately connected with the shadow planets Rahu and Ketu - the lunar nodes, depicted as the head and tail of the cosmic serpent. When all seven planets fall between Rahu and Ketu in a chart, the resulting Kala Sarpa Yoga / Dosha is traditionally remedied through naga worship, and the Naag Stotram is a principal recitation for this purpose. The hymn is also prescribed for afflictions of Rahu (sudden fears, mysterious obstacles, illusions) and Ketu (entanglements from the past, skin and nerve troubles). Worship of the nagas is further linked to Shani (Saturn) and the 8th house of hidden and chronic matters. Regular recitation, alongside offerings of milk on Nag Panchami, is a classic remedy to pacify the nodal axis and soften serpent-related doshas.
How to Chant (Vidhi)
Bathe and sit before an image of a naga or of Lord Shiva (whom the serpents adorn). Light a lamp and incense; offer milk, turmeric, sandal paste and flowers. Recite the eleven verses with a calm, devotional mind, dwelling on the refrain that asks the serpents to remain gracious. On Nag Panchami the stotra is recited while offering milk to a naga idol, an anthill or a serpent image. Eleven, twenty-one or one hundred and eight recitations are made for specific intentions; daily recitation of the full stotra is excellent for those addressing Kala Sarpa Dosha.
Best Day & Time
Nag Panchami (the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Shravana) is the foremost day for this hymn. Panchami tithi in general, and the weekdays Monday (for Shiva) and Saturday (for Saturn and nodal remedies), are especially favourable. Recitation in the morning after bathing, or at dusk, carries the most benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Naag Stotram used for?
It is recited to honour the serpent deities, to seek protection from snakes and snake-related fears, and as a traditional remedy for Sarpa Dosha and Kala Sarpa Yoga. It is also chanted for progeny, health and household peace.
How does it help with Kala Sarpa Dosha?
Because the nagas are connected with the lunar nodes Rahu and Ketu, sincere worship and recitation of the Naag Stotram are believed to pacify the nodal axis and reduce the difficulties associated with Kala Sarpa Yoga, especially when done on Nag Panchami and Panchami tithis.
How many verses does it contain?
The traditional Naag Stotram has eleven verses, each saluting the serpents of a different realm or circumstance and closing with the same prayer for their grace.
Serpent deities, cosmic guardians, and the remedy of reverence
The Naag Stotram, sometimes called the Sarpa Stotram, belongs to a current of Vedic and Puranic devotion that has always treated serpent deities not as fearsome adversaries but as cosmic guardians of the underworld, keepers of ancient wisdom, and pillars that sustain creation itself. The hymn moves systematically through the great Nagas - Shesha who bears the earth, Vasuki who adorned Shiva's throat at the churning of the ocean, Ananta who forms the timeless couch of Vishnu - honouring each realm of existence through its serpent protector. This panoramic reverence reflects the understanding that every dimension of the cosmos rests on an order that the Nagas embody.
Devotees traditionally recite the Naag Stotram on Nag Panchami, the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Shravan, when serpent worship is observed across India with milk offerings and fervent prayer. In the Jyotish tradition, the hymn carries particular significance as an offering to Rahu and Ketu, the shadow planets whose serpent iconography runs through classical astrology. Those navigating the effects of Sarpa Dosha or Kala Sarpa Yoga often include the Naag Stotram in their remedial practice, approaching it not with fear but with the respectful, petitionary mood the verses themselves model - honoring these ancient powers and humbly seeking their protection.