1879.] J. H. Eivett-Carnae— The Snake Symbol in India. 17 



The Snake Symbol in India, especially in connection with the worship of 

 Siva. — By J. H. Rivett-Caknac, Esq., c. i. e., e. s. a., m. e. a. s., &c. 



In his work on " Tree and Serpent Worship" Mi*. Fergusson has urged 

 the desirability of workers in the rich field of Indian Antiquarian research 

 collecting information regarding the worship of the snake, which is known 

 to prevail in various forms in many parts of India. 



The accompanying instalment of rough jottings and sketches, made 

 at various times, has been worked up by me into the present imperfect 

 shape during the Christmas holidays. It is now submitted to the Society 

 in the hope that this paper, although doubtless full of faults, may at least 

 induce discussion, and thereby assist in placing me on the right track, and 

 in awakening further interest in this important subject amongst those who 

 have better opportunity than I have of following it up. 



The snake as a personal ornament, or as a canopy surmounting the 

 figure, is not, of course, confined to representations of Siva, and in the col- 

 lection of the deities of the Hindu Pantheon that I have been able to make, 

 the five-headed snake (Nag panchamukhi) is to be seen overshadowing 

 Vishnu, Garuda and others. The Sesha or Ananta in the pictures of 

 Vishnu is well known. Still, as Moor says at p. 36 of his Hindu Panthe- 

 on, " As emblems of immortality, serpents are common ornaments with many 

 deities. But Mahadeo seems most abundantly bedecked with them ; bound 

 in his hair, round his neck, wrist, waist, arms and legs, as well as for 

 rings, snakes are his constant attendants." 



The serpent appears on the prehistoric cromlechs and menhirs of 

 Europe, on which, as stated in my paper on the Kamaon Rock-carvings 

 published in the Society's Journal for January 1877, I believe, the remains 

 of phallic worship may also be traced. What little attention I have been 

 able to give to the serpent- symbol, has been chiefly in its connection with 

 the worship of Mahadeo or Siva, with a view to ascertain whether the wor- 

 ship of the snake and that of Mahadeo or the phallus may be considered 

 identical, and whether the presence of the serpent on the prehistoric remains 

 of Europe can be shewn to support my theory that the markings on the 

 cromlechs and menhirs are indeed the traces of this form of worship, 

 carried to Europe from the East by the tribes whose remains are buried 

 beneath the tumuli. 



During my visits to Benares, the chief centre of Siva worship in 

 India, I have always carefully searched for the presence of the snake-sym- 

 bol. On the most ordinary class of " Mahadeo," a rough stone placed on 

 end supposed to represent the phallus, the serpent is not generally seen, 

 c 



