TW: themes of sexual assault
The Deity of Ashlesha is not one deity, but rather, the entirety of the Naga race. The Nagas are a mythological snake race (not to be confused with Naga Hills, and the people from that area).
In Vedic mythology, this race plays an important role, they are often devotees of the gods, and play important roles as healers and assistants to the gods. Vishnu’s servant, the cobra over his head, or the cobra that he reclines on, is Adishesha, or Sheshnaag, the first snake. The snake that resides on Shiva’s neck is Vasuki, who was used for churning the ocean, and healed Shiva by sucking out poison from his body when the ocean released toxic fumes.
All of these deities are interesting in their own right, and warrant posts of their own; however, when it comes to Ashlesha, it is not any of these deities who I think of, but rather, I think of Manasa.
Manasa is a snake goddess, and her origins are a bit dubious. Most likely, she’s a tribal goddess who was incorporated into the vedic mythology later on. Her myths are all over the place, but the picture we get, when we put it all together, is an extremely interesting one. First of all, it seems that she was extremely popular amongst the lower caste people, and attempts were made to assimilate her into the fold of the mainstream. This is a common thing in hinduism, where it adapts to the current times, and takes any new ideas into it’s brahmanical fold. This is a way to maintain relevance, as well as make sure any new ideas can be controlled by the elites of the religion.
The reason we know that she was not a high caste goddess is, her original worship, especially where it is still done, in the eastern side of India, requires that there be no idol. Her “idol” is simply a lump of mud.
The story I was told of her as a child, was a simple one. I also feel like it wasn’t the full story, because it had many unnecessary details that made no sense. It was of a young girl, who’s mother in law was cruel (an unnecessary detail), and found baby snakes in her home. She tried to kill the baby snakes, but the young girl protected them, and at night, a large snake came to her, and thanked her. She told her, “you have protected my children, so I will protect your children. Before your children go to sleep, pet their head, and say ‘Astik’ three times, and I will protect your children from any harm.”
I cannot find this story written anywhere. In fact, in the story my grandmother told me, there were no names mentioned, except “Astik”. But, that name immediately makes this character identifiable as Manasa, who is the mother of Sage Astik.
When doing more research, there is much that comes up. Manasa may be the daughter of Kashyap, and sister to Sheshnaag and Vasuki, or she may be the daughter of Shiva, rejected by her stepmother, Parvati.
The story of her as Shiva’s daughter has her approaching him, and Shiva, unaware that she is his daughter, attempts to sexually assault her. When she proves to him that she is his daughter, he takes her back to his home, where she is treated badly by Chandi, because Chandi thinks that Manasa is Shiva’s concubine. Eventually, Shiva deserts her, because he cannot take the argument between the two
As the daughter of Sage Kashyap, she is married off to Sage Jaratkaru, who marries her under the condition that she will obey him no matter what. He then leaves her for a minor slight. The Mahabharata says it is because she woke him up in time for his prayer. The Brahma Vaivarta Purana says it is because she did not wake him up on time for his prayer. As the daughter of Shiva, she is again married to Sage Jaratkaru, who leaves her on her wedding night due to Chandi’s meddling.
All of these stories show her being abandoned by her husband, although, according to some stories, her husband falls in love with her (but, only after coming back from abandoning her).
Abandonment by the people who they love is a theme for the natives of this nakshatra. There’s an unfair demonization that they deal with, especially when young and well intentioned, and it makes them poisonous after it happens enough. This nakshatra is known for the poison, but they are forgiving and extremely protective of their family (as shown by her love for her son, Astik).
Manasa is worshipped for protection against poisons and diseases.
Ashlesha is often known for psychological understanding and manipulation, but personally, I don’t think that’s always the case. Rather, the strength of ashlesha is chemicals in the human body. Moon combined with mercury allows them to have control over someone’s body (moon). While this can be psychological manipulation, it can also be working with literal medicines. Very gifted doctors, pharmacists, and herbalists. Jupiter in Ashlesha can be very interested in the spiritual uses of certain mind altering drugs.
At it’s best, this nakshatra takes their experiences as what to not pass on to the next generation. Treating children well, making donations for organisations dedicated to children’s health, volunteering to take care of children in certain capacities are some practical remedies for Ashlesha Nakshatra. Saying “Astik, Astik, Astik”, every night before sleeping is another remedy.
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