Maa Manasa Devi  

Goddess Manasa Devi, revered in Hindu mythology as the goddess of snakes and fertility, symbolizes protection, health, and the well-being of one’s family. Her connection with Adiyogi Rudraksha and Gemstones can be profound, particularly in how the company’s products, such as Rudrakshas and Gemstones , are used to safeguard and enhance spiritual and physical health. 
Indian mythology describes various deities, assigning everyone a distinct level of divinity and responsibility. Hinduism speaks about Gods and Goddesses, demi-Gods and demi-Goddesses, semi-divine races, and mythological animals. According to Indian mythology, there are around 300 crore celestial beings. Some of them are quite famous, such as Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Parvati, and so on. However, there are many 'lesser' known deities whose stories ought to be told and heard. One of them is the amazing Goddess Manasa.   
Who is Manasa Devi?  
Manasa Devi, also known as the Snake Goddess, is mostly worshipped in Bengal, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and other North-Eastern Indian states. It is assumed that Goddess Manasa has dominion over all snakes on Earth. It is popularly believed that worshipping her will cure you of a snake bite. Devotees pray to Goddess Manasa for fertility and prosperity.  
Goddess Manasa is the sister of Vasuki (King of the Nagas) and the wife of Sage Jaratkaru. She is also thought to be Sage Astika's mother. She is also known as Vishahara (Destroyer of Poison), Padmavati, and Nitya (Eternal). She is known to signify both 'destruction' and'regeneration', comparable to a snake shedding its skin and reborn. Manasa Devi, known as the protector of children, is often associated with Goddess Shasti.  
There are various claims about Goddess Manasa's parentage. While some say her father is Sage Kashyapa, some believe Lord Shiva is her father. Manasa Devi was denied full godhead because of her mixed origin. This is why her ultimate goal was to fully establish her status as a Goddess and attract devoted human devotees.  
Origins of the Goddess Manasa In Hindu Scriptures  
Manasa Devi was formerly considered an Adivasi (tribal) Goddess. Manasa was accepted into the Hindu pantheon by the lowest castes. Afterward, the superior caste honored Goddess Manasa. She is now regarded a Hindu goddess rather than a tribal one. Manasa is said to have originated in South India as a non-Vedic and non-Aryan Goddess, and she is related with the Kannada folk snake-goddess.  
She appears in numerous Hindu scriptures and manuscripts. The Brahma Vaivarta Purana describes Goddess Manasa as Sage Kashyapa's mind-born daughter. This is why her name is 'Manasa', which means conceived in the mind - Manas. It refers to being born in the imagination. The name also implies 'desire'. She is recognized as the goddess who grants the requests of genuine believers. Manasa Devi is a one-of-a-kind deity known for her fair complexion and tremendous allure in the Subterranean world, notably among snakes and other underworld creatures, as well as on earth, in the skies, and in Brahmaloka.  

Goddess Manasa Devi is mentioned in the Mangal-Kavya. The Manasamangal Kavya (the most ancient of the Mangal Kavyas) explains how the serpent Goddess Manasa established her worshipping base in Bengal by converting a Shiva devotee into her worshipper. She was a non-Aryan deity who is thought to have appeared in Bengal with the Dravidians, who prayed to her in the hope of protecting them from snakes. Goddess Manasa was first mentioned in the Hindu epic Mahabharata as the daughter of Sage Kashyapa and Kadru, the mother of all Nagas.  

By the 14th century, Manasa Devi had been recognized as the Goddess of Fertility and Marriage Rituals, and she had been incorporated into the Shaiva pantheon alongside Lord Shiva. In mythology, she is praised as the 'Remover of Poison' for saving Shiva's life after he consumed poison. Her renown grew and extended across South India. There are several stories that attribute Manasa's birth to Shiva, and Shaivism finally integrated this Goddess into the Brahmanical tradition of mainstream Hinduism.  

Goddess Manasa in Hindu iconography  
The iconographical examination of the Goddess Manasa's picture shows that her idol is made of black basalt. The seven-hooded and two-armed goddess is shown reclining in a lalitasana pose on a double-petalled lotus flower above a jar from which two snakes emerge.  
 
Manasa Devi is shown wearing a variety of ornaments, the most popular of which is the Sarpa-Kuchabandha. It's a snake-themed breast band. At the same time, the Goddess is shown clutching an eight-hooded snake with her left hand. Her right hand is shown in varada stance, grasping a fruit. According to the Puranas, she is joined on either side by a sitting emaciated figure and a crowned male named Jaratkaru and Astika, her husband and son, respectively.  
In some areas, the idol of Goddess Manasa is depicted as a lovely woman adorned with snakes, sitting on a lotus or standing on a snake. She is generally seen under a hooded canopy of seven cobras, with a goose next to her. She is commonly known as the 'one-eyed goddess' and is occasionally depicted with her son Astika on her lap. Her one eye is believed to be the result of her stepmother Chandi burning one of her eyes out of jealousy.  

Mythology Surrounding Goddess Manasa Puranas  
The Puranas are believed to be the first writings to mention Goddess Manasa's birth. They claim that Sage Kashyapa is her father. When serpents and reptiles wrought havoc on Earth, Kashyapa summoned Manasa from his mind (mana). Lord Brahma (Creator) created her the deity of snakes and reptiles.  
Sage Jaratkaru married Manasa with the understanding that he would abandon her if she disobeyed him in any way. Jaratkaru was unhappy one morning when Manasa awakened him up late. It was too late for his morning prayer. He was so upset that he abandoned her. After the Hindu Gods asked him to rethink, Sage Jaratkaru returned to Goddess Manasa, who gave birth to their son, Astika.  
 

Mahabharata  
The Mahabharata discusses Manasa's marriage. Sage Jaratkaru practiced strict austerity and had vowed to avoid marriage. One day, he stumbled upon a bunch of men hanging upside down from a tree. These persons were thought to be his forebears. They were doomed to misery and suffering because their children had not performed their final rituals. So they suggested Jaratkaru marry and have a son who could free them from their troubles by executing the ceremonies. Vasuki (King of Nagas) extended his sister Manasa's hand to Sage Jaratkaru. Goddess Manasa gave birth to their son Astika, who liberated his forefathers. Astika also helped to save the Naga race from extinction when King Janamejaya decided to exterminate them by sacrificing them as a fire offering during his Yagna.  

Legend  
In this story, Goddess Manasa was thought to be Lord Shiva's daughter. Her stepmother Parvati disliked her, so she decided to dwell on Earth with Shiva's other daughter, Neta. Manasa Devi never achieved the status of a premium deity because there was no confirmation of her parentage. Manasa wished to be worshiped as a Goddess and thought she could achieve her goal if she could get the affection of a wealthy and strong merchant prince from Champak Nagar - Chand Saudagar - Bengal. He was a widower with six sons whom he adored. Manasa attempted everything she could to persuade him, but he was a strong devotee of Lord Shiva and would not change his allegiance to the Goddess of Snakes.  
Manasa once appeared before Chand disguised as a beautiful maiden. He was attracted by her attractiveness and asked her to marry him. But the lady requested that he bestow the magical powers (granted to him by Lord Shiva) on her before the wedding. Manasa later manifested as her natural personality and urged Chand to worship her again, but he declined.  
Manasa's recommendations led to the deaths of six kids from snake bites. Chand subsequently remarried and had a son named Lakhinder. Chand grew up and chose a beautiful lady named Behula as Lakhinder's bride. Manasa killed Lakhinder, but Behula's passionate love and devotion saved his life. Eventually, Behula persuaded her father-in-law to worship Goddess Manasa. Chand decided to pray to Manasa using his left hand to perform the ceremonies. Manasa accepted the condition, and Chand worshipped her wholeheartedly.  
 
Characteristic Attributes of Goddess Manasa  
Unfortunately, due to the mystery surrounding her parentage, Goddess Manasa was not given the role that other goddesses have, which enraged her. She is renowned to be loving and kind to those who venerate her, but she is also seen as equally destructive to those who refuse to worship her.  
Certain scriptures identify Lord Shiva (rather than Sage Kashyapa) as Goddess Manasa's father. According to some legends and myths, Manasa Devi was sad and had a nasty temper because she was rejected by her father, Lord Shiva, and her husband, Sage Jaratkaru. She was also depressed since her stepmother Chandi (Lord Shiva's wife, known as Goddess Parvati in this scenario) despised her.   

Interesting facts about the goddess Manasa.  
Goddess Manasa is believed to have rescued Lord Shiva's life when he was poisoned during Samudra Manthan. Lord Shiva had consumed the terrible poison Halahala, which would have otherwise destroyed the entire cosmos. The poison had stained Lord Shiva's throat blue as he drank it, but Manasa prevented it from spreading deeper into his body, saving him from being entirely poisoned.  
Manasa Devi is most worshiped during the rainy season. Due to waterlogging, snakes are more likely to emerge from their holes at this time. It is during this time when the risk of being bitten by a snake increases.   

Festivals To Celebrate Goddess Manasa  
Jhapa Mela  
This festival honors Manasa Devi, Vasuki's (King of Nagas) sister who is thought to be Sage Kashyapa's mind-born daughter. Goddess Manasa is regarded as a kind deity who bestows blessings on plentiful rainfall and crops. The tribal community of West Bengal celebrates Jhapan Mela, which is a form of snake festival.  
Nag Panchami.  
On this auspicious day, people worship living snakes or serpent representations in temples by offering milk. It is said that worshiping snakes on this holy day aids in the forgiveness of sins. This deeply ingrained cultural tradition of praying to Nagas or snakes occurs on the fifth day of the lunar fortnight in the month of Shravana.  

How to worship the goddess Manasa (Manasa Devi Puja Vidhi)  
To worship Goddess Mansa, you can do the Manasa Devi Ashtang Puja at home. The puja ceremonies take place on the fifth day, or Panchami, of each fortnight in the months of Ashara and Shraban. In many parts of India, the puja and rituals last a month, and numerous ceremonies are held to please Goddess Manasa.  

There are various ways to honor Manasa Devi as well. She is usually revered without an image. You can venerate the deity by using a tree branch, an earthen snake figure, or an earthen pot. However, in some situations, images of Goddess Manasa are used. Manasa Devi is often worshipped during the rainy season, when snakes are most active.  

Benefits of Worshiping the Goddess Manasa  
Goddess Manasa protects and cures people from snake bites and contagious diseases like chickenpox and smallpox.  
Childless couples come to the Manasa Devi shrine hoping to be blessed with children.  
If you worship Manasa Devi on Panchami tithi, you will be blessed with name and reputation.  
Goddess Manasa removes snake curses and unblocks doshas like kala sarpa and naga dosha.  
Manasa Devi relieves snake dreams, eliminates snake fear, and removes all types of venom from the body.