नवनाग स्तोत्र (अनन्तं वासुकिं शेषं) — Word-by-Word Meaning
नवनाग स्तोत्र (अनन्तं वासुकिं शेषं)
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
अनन्तम्
Anantam
Ananta (the endless one, Adishesha) — the first of the nine serpents
वासुकिम्
Vasukim
Vasuki — the serpent king used as the churning rope at Samudra Manthan, worn by Lord Shiva
शेषम्
Shesham
Shesha — the cosmic serpent on whom Lord Vishnu reclines
पद्मनाभम्
Padmanabham
Padmanabha — a great serpent (also a name of Vishnu)
कम्बलम्
Kambalam
Kambala — one of the divine Naga lords
शङ्खपालम्
Shankhapalam
Shankhapala — a serpent king of the nether worlds
धार्तराष्ट्रम्
Dhartarashtram
Dhritarashtra — a Naga king (sometimes read as Dhananjaya)
तक्षकम्
Takshakam
Takshaka — the famous serpent of the Mahabharata
कालियम्
Kaliyam
Kaliya — the serpent subdued by Lord Krishna in the Yamuna
तथा
Tatha
And, also (completing the enumeration)
एतानि नव नामानि
Etani Nava Namani
These nine names
नागानां महात्मनाम्
Naganam Mahatmanam
Of the great-souled serpents (Nagas)
सायङ्काले
Sayankale
In the evening
पठेन्नित्यम्
Pathennityam
One should recite daily
प्रातःकाले विशेषतः
Pratahkale Visheshatah
Especially at dawn / in the morning
तस्य विषभयं नास्ति
Tasya Vishabhayam Nasti
For that person there is no fear of poison (snakebite)
सर्वत्र विजयी भवेत्
Sarvatra Vijayee Bhavet
He becomes victorious everywhere
Complete Translation
अनन्त, वासुकि, शेष, पद्मनाभ और कम्बल; शङ्खपाल, धृतराष्ट्र, तक्षक और कालिय — ये महात्मा नागों के नौ नाम हैं। जो प्रतिदिन सायंकाल और विशेषतः प्रातःकाल इनका पाठ करता है, उसे विष (सर्पदंश) का भय नहीं रहता और वह सर्वत्र विजयी होता है।
Origin & History
Source: Traditional Sanskrit phala-stuti (Naga worship tradition; recited for Nag Panchami)
Author: Unknown (traditional)
Period: Ancient / classical
Serpent (Naga) worship is among the oldest strands of Indian religion, and the Mahabharata, Puranas and folk tradition revere the great Nagas as semi-divine guardians of the underworld, treasures and waters. This short verse gathers nine of the most renowned serpent lords into a single protective litany. It became the standard prayer for Nag Panchami, the festival on Shravana Shukla Panchami when devotees offer milk and worship snakes, anthills and Naga images for protection and prosperity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the nine Nagas named in this stotra?▼
They are Ananta, Vasuki, Shesha, Padmanabha, Kambala, Shankhapala, Dhritarashtra, Takshaka and Kaliya — the nine principal serpent lords of Hindu tradition. Several appear in famous epics: Vasuki at the churning of the ocean, Shesha as Vishnu's couch, Takshaka in the Mahabharata, and Kaliya subdued by Krishna.
When should the Nava Naga Stotra be recited?▼
The verse itself says to recite it every evening (sayankale) and especially at dawn (pratahkale). It is most important on Nag Panchami, the fifth bright lunar day of Shravan, when Nagas are worshipped across India.
What is the benefit of chanting these nine names?▼
Tradition holds that one who recites them has no fear of poison or snakebite (vishabhayam nasti) and becomes victorious everywhere (sarvatra vijayee bhavet). It is also chanted to relieve Kala Sarpa Dosha.
Can it be chanted on days other than Nag Panchami?▼
Yes. While Nag Panchami is the special occasion, the stotra is meant for daily recitation, and is also chanted on Panchami tithis, during Naga puja, and for those affected by Naga or Kala Sarpa Dosha.
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