nabraxas

Big A, little A, bouncing B The system might have got you but it won't get me 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 External control are you gonna let them get you? Do you wanna be a prisoner in the boundaries they set you? You say you want to ba yourself, by christ do you think they'll let you? They're out to get you get you get you get you get you get you get you Hello, hello, hello, this is the Lord God, can you hear? Hellfire and damnation's what I've got for you down there On earth I have ambassadors, archbishop, vicar, pope We'll blind you with morality, you'd best abandon any hope, We're telling you you'd better pray cos you were born in sin Right from the start we'll build a cell and then we'll lock you in We sit in holy judgement condemning those that stray We offer our forgiveness, but first we'll make you pay External control are you gonna let them get you? Do you wanna be a prisoner in the boundaries they set you? You say you want to be yourself, by christ do you think they'll let you? They're out to get you get you get you get you get you get you get you Hello, hello, hello, now here's a massage from your queen As figurehead of the status quo I set the social scene I'm most concerned about my people, I want to give them peace So I'm making sure they stay in line with my army and police My prisons and my mental homes have ever open doors For those amongst my subjects who dare to ask for more Unruliness and disrespect are things I can't allow So I'll see the peasants grovel if they refuse to bow External control are you gonna let them get you? Do you wanna be a prisoner in the boundaries they set you? You say you want to be yourself, by christ do you think they'll let you? They're out to get you get you get you get you get you get you get you Introducing the Prime Sinister, she's a mother to us all Like the dutch boy's finger in the dyke her arse is in the wall Holding back the future waiting for the seas to part If Moses did it with is faith, she'll do it with an army Who at times of threatened crisis are certain to be there Guarding national heritage no matter what or where Palaces for kings and queens, mansions for the rich Protection for the wealthy, defence of privilege They've learnt the ropes In Ireland, engaged in civil war Fighting for the ruling classes in their battle against the poor So Ireland's just an island? It's an island of the mind Great Britain? Future? Bollocks, you'd better look behind Round every other corner stands P.C. 1984 Guardian of the future, he'll implement the law He's there as a grim reminder that no matter what you do Big brothers system's always there with his beady eyes on you From God to local bobby, in home and street and school They've got your name and number while you've just got their rule We've got to look for methods to undermine those powers It's time to change the tables. The future must be ours Big A, little A, bouncing B The system might have got you but it won't get me Be exactly who you want to be, do what you want to do I am he and she is she but you're the only you No one else has got your eyes, can see the things you see It's up to you to change your life and my life's up to me The problems that you suffer from are problems that you make The shit we have to climb through is the shit we choose to take If you don't like the life you live, change it now it's yours Nothing has effects if you don't recognise the cause If the programme's not the one you want, get up, turn off the set It's only you that can decide what life you're gonna get If you don't like religion you can be the antichrist If your tired of politics you can be an anarchist But no one ever changed the church by pulling down a steeple And you'll never change the system by bombing number ten Systems just aren't made of bricks they're mostly made of people You may send them into hiding, but they'll be back again If you don't like the rules they make, refuse to play their game If you don't want to be a number, don't give them your name If you don't want to be caught out, refuse to hear their question Silence is a virtue, use it for your own protection They'll try to make you play their game, refuse to show your face If you don't want to be beaten down, refuse to join their race Be exactly who you want to be, do what you want to do I am he and she is she but you're they only you

ATTENTION. Fuck American power. Fuck Russian power. Fuck British power. Fuck all power. ATTENTION. These ignorant shits arm themselves for annihilation and call it world peace. Bollocks. Pacified. Classified. Keep in line. You're doing fine. Lost your voice? There ain't no choice. Play the game. Silent and tame. Be the passive observer, sit back and look At the world they destroyed and the peace that they took. Ask no questions, hear no lies And you'll be living in the comfort of a fool's paradise. You're already dead, you're already dead, You're already dead, you're already dead. If you're the passive observer, here's a message for you... You're already dead, You're already dead. Afraid to do what you know you should do... You're already dead, You're already dead. The world's at the edge of nuclear destruction, But your too afraid to make the connection. You still believe the system's there for your protection... You're already dead, You're already dead. You're already dead, you're already dead, You're already dead, you're already dead. By letting it happen without a fight... You're already dead, You're already dead. With your endless debates about wrong and right... You're already dead, You're already dead. Nothing's going to change if you're not prepared to act, There's no point complaining after the fact, Content to be a number, branded X and neatly packed... You're already dead, You're already dead. You're already dead, You're already dead, You're already dead, You're already dead. Four hundred thousand people marched for CND... They're already dead, They're already dead, Unless they're willing to act on what they can see... They're already dead, They're already dead. If each and every one of us was prepared to fight for more, To stand against the system that creates the need for war, The elite would have to run like it's never run before... They're already dead, They're already dead. They're already dead, They're already dead, They're already dead, They're already dead. We don't need organising Or politicians being patronising. We don't need their leadership, Trendy lefties being hip. Don't need their condescension Or their back to root pretension. We've heard it all before, Politicians saying "No more war", Pulling wool across our eyes. We don't need their dangerous lies. We won't accept capitulation, It's just manipulation. They want the smooth without the rough, But words and gestures aren't enough. We've got to learn to reject all leaders And the passive shit they feed us... They're already dead, They're already dead, They're already dead, They're already dead. If you think moderation's going to pave the way to peace... You're already dead, You're already dead. What good is moderation 'gainst the army and police? You're already dead, You're already dead. We're not promoting mindless violence, keep that for the fools, We're simply saying be prepared to break their laws and rules, Let them know the bigger they come, the harder they will fall... They're already dead, They're already dead. They're already dead, They're already dead, They're already dead, They're already dead. If they're going to play it dirty, so are we... They're already dead, They're already dead. They can keep their lies about the land of the free... They're already dead, They're already dead. We've allowed them too often to use their iron fist, But there's one little detail they appear to have missed... You don't have to be PASSIVE just because you're a PACIFIST... They're already dead, They're already dead. They're already dead, They're already dead, They're already dead, They're already dead. They'll try to sell their system Like it's some kind od age-old wisdom, But we've been had like that before, It's just the rich exploiting the poor. Well here's an honest confession, We think it's time they learnt a lesson. They've tried to hold the people down, But we've simply gone underground, Moving in the darkness looking for the light, Looking for a future and ready to fight. Looking for the freedom that's been denied, Fast to attack and fast to hide. In a world where the people can't make it, They've simply got to learn to break it, And if the wealthy aren't prepared to shake it... O.K., we'll simply have to take it... You're already dead, You're already dead, You're already dead, You're already dead, You're already dead, You're already dead, You're already dead, You're already dead...

One - Two - Three - Four Fuck the politically minded, here's something I want to say, About the state of nation, the way it treats us today. At school they give you shit, drop you in the pit, You try and try and try to get out, but you can't because they've fucked you about. Then you're a prime example of how they must not be, This is just a sample of what they've done to you and me. Do they owe us a living? Of course they do, of course they do. Owe us a living? Of course they do, of course they do. Owe us a living? OF COURSE THEY FUCKING DO. Don't want me anymore, cos I threw it on the floor. They used to call me sweet thing, I'm nobody's plaything, And now that I am different, they'd love to bust my head, They'd love to see me cop-out, they'd love to see me dead. Do they owe us a living? Of course they do, of course they do. Owe us a living? Of course they do, of course they do. Owe us a living? OF COURSE THEY FUCKING DO. The living that is owed to me I'm never going to get, They've buggered this old world up, up to their necks in dept. They'd give you a lobotomy for something you aint done, They'll make you an epitomy of everything that's wrong. Do they owe us a living? Of course they do, of course they do. Owe us a living? Of course they do, of course they do. Owe us a living? OF COURSE THEY FUCKING DO. Don't take any notice of what the public think, They're so hyped up with T.V., they just don't want to think. They'll use you as a target for demands and for advice, When you don't want to hear it they'll say you're full of vice. Do they owe us a living? Of course they do, of course they do. Owe us a living? Of course they do, of course they do. Owe us a living? OF COURSE THEY FUCKING DO.

hellofromthegutter--i guess you're aware that "Golden Brown" is a homage to heroin? on which note-- Heroin---the velvet underground I don't know just where I'm going But I'm gonna try for the kingdom, if I can 'Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man When I put a spike into my vein And I'll tell ya, things aren't quite the same When I'm rushing on my run And I feel just like Jesus' son And I guess that I just don't know And I guess that I just don't know I have made the big decision I'm gonna try to nullify my life 'Cause when the blood begins to flow When it shoots up the dropper's neck When I'm closing in on death And you can't help me now, you guys And all you sweet girls with all your sweet talk You can all go take a walk And I guess that I just don't know And I guess that I just don't know I wish that I was born a thousand years ago I wish that I'd sail the darkened seas On a great big clipper ship Going from this land here to that In a sailor's suit and cap Away from the big city Where a man can not be free Of all of the evils of this town And of himself, and those around Oh, and I guess that I just don't know Oh, and I guess that I just don't know Heroin, be the death of me Heroin, it's my wife and it's my life Because a mainer to my vein Leads to a center in my head And then I'm better off and dead Because when the smack begins to flow I really don't care anymore About all the Jim-Jim's in this town And all the politicians makin' crazy sounds And everybody puttin' everybody else down And all the dead bodies piled up in mounds 'Cause when the smack begins to flow Then I really don't care anymore Ah, when the heroin is in my blood And that blood is in my head Then thank God that I'm as good as dead Then thank your God that I'm not aware And thank God that I just don't care And I guess I just don't know And I guess I just don't know I'm Waiting For The Man I'm waiting for my man Twenty-six dollars in my hand Up to Lexington, 125 Feel sick and dirty, more dead than alive I'm waiting for my man Hey, white boy, what you doin' uptown? Hey, white boy, you chasin' our women around? Oh pardon me sir, it's the furthest from my mind I'm just lookin' for a dear, dear friend of mine I'm waiting for my man Here he comes, he's all dressed in black Beat up shoes and a big straw hat He's never early, he's always late First thing you learn is you always gotta wait I'm waiting for my man Up to a Brownstone, up three flights of stairs Everybody's pinned you, but nobody cares He's got the works, gives you sweet taste Ah then you gotta split because you got no time to waste I'm waiting for my man Baby don't you holler, darlin' don't you bawl and shout I'm feeling good, you know I'm gonna work it on out I'm feeling good, I'm feeling oh so fine Until tomorrow, but that's just some other time I'm waiting for my man

Robert Anton Wilson

if i understand correctly yohimbe causes erection, but no actual aphrodesiac effect. so how would a combination ov mdma (or methamphetamine)---which causes an aphrodesiac effect, but often w/a loss ov erectile capability & yohimbe go? would these reported blood pressure fluctuations be a concern? would there be a timing issue? ie--take one first then the other an hour or so later? anyone heard ov friends trying such a combo?

PREMIER Peter Beattie could destroy Medicare in Queensland if he goes ahead with plans to means test public hospital patients, the Federal Government said. Mr Beattie today announced moves for private health insurance holders to use their cover if they want to use the public hospital system for non-emergencies. "Basically, it's a free ride for the private health funds and it has to stop," said Mr Beattie, who next Tuesday will deliver a mini-budget to bolster Queensland's health system. A proposed overhaul of Queensland Health is tipped to cost an extra $1.5 billion a year, based on recommendations from consultant Peter Forster. Mr Beattie, who has warned Queenslanders the government will have to "raise some form of revenue" to fund changes in the health system, said today the Forster report made it clear that drastic action needed to be taken. But federal Health Minister Tony Abbott said the means testing move was effectively "destroying Medicare in Queensland". Advertisement: "Whatever the economic arguments in favour of this might be, it is contrary to the Australian Health Care Agreements and it really spells the end of Medicare as we know it, because one of the principles of Medicare is that all Australians are entitled to free treatment as public patients in public hospitals," Mr Abbott said. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) said the measures ensured sustainability of the state's free health system but Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said free health care was "on its death-bed". "Rather than Queensland leading Australia, what Mr Beattie is trying to do is reduce our health system to be in line with the lowest common denominator," he said. Liberal leader Bob Quinn said he would never support means testing patients in the Queensland public hospital system. "We have a free public hospital system in Queensland and I want to see it remain free and available to anyone who wants to turn up at a public hospital in this state," he said. The Australian Health Insurance Association said the move would force premiums up. Mr Beattie said a state-wide rollout of an existing program in which staff inform patients with private cover of their treatment options is tipped to save Queensland up to $20 million each year. The Government would also index existing fees and charges using "realistic" measures of soaring health costs to raise revenue, and consider co-payments or means testing for services such as free spectacles, adult dental services and non-urgent surgery. Specialist outpatient services for non-concession card holders and some pharmaceutical purchases could also be subject to co-payments or means testing. AMA Queensland president Dr Steve Hambleton said he was supportive of the recommendations. "Clearly, the public of Queensland realise you can't provide universal health care for everybody under every circumstance - that's not sustainable," he said. Other cost saving measures could include transferring nursing homes and the delivery of home and community care services to the private or non-profit sector. The Government may also look at changing laws to pursue reimbursement costs involved in treating patients who receive damage payouts for compensatable injuries http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,16973972-1248,00.html

that's the spirit Amulte--let's have some more folks ;) simple mind - dont you (forget about me) ----that's from that film "the breakfast club" which was a classic when it came out

Banned from the Roxy... O.K. I never much liked playing there anyway. They said they only wanted well behaved boys, Do they think guitars and microphones are just fucking toys? Fuck 'em, I chosen to make my stand, Against what I feel is wrong with this land. They just sit there on their overfed arses, Feeding off the sweat of less fortunate classes. They keep their fucking power cause their finger's on the button, They've got control and won't let it be forgotten. The truth of their reality is at the wrong end of a gun, The proof of that is Belfast and that's no fucking fun. Seeing the squaddy lying in the front yard, Seeing the machine guns resting on the fence. Finding the entrance to your own front door is barred And they've got the fucking nerve to call it defence. Seems their defence is just the threat of strength, Protection for the privileged at any length. The government protecting their profits from the poor, The rich and the fortunate chaining up the door. Afraid that the people may ask for a little more Than the shit they get. The shit they get. The shit they get. The shit they get. The shit they get. The shit they get. The shit they get. The shit they get. DEFENCE? SHIT, IT'S NOTHING LESS THEN WAR AND NO ONE BUT THE GOVERNMENT KNOWS WHAT THE FUCK IT'S FOR. Oh yes they say it's defence, they say it's decency, Mai Lai, Hiroshima, know what I mean? The same fucking lies with depressing frequency, They say "We had to do it to keep our lives clean" Well whose like? Whose fucking life? Who the fuck are they talking to? Whose life? Whose fucking life? I tell you one thing, it ain't me and you. And their system, christ, they're everywhere, School, army, church, corporation deal. A fucked up reality based on fear, A fucking conspiracy to stop you feeling real. Well ain't got me, I'd say their fucking wrong, I ain't quite ready with my gun, but I've got my song... Banned from the Roxy, well O.K. I never much liked playing there anyway. GUNS.

Midnight to six man For the first time from Jamaica Dillinger and Leroy Smart Delroy Wilson, your cool operator Ken Boothe for UK pop reggae With backing bands sound systems And if they've got anything to say There's many black ears here to listen But it was Four Tops all night with encores from stage right Charging from the bass knives to the treble But onstage they ain't got no roots rock rebel Onstage they ain't got no...roots rock rebel Dress back jump back this is a bluebeat attack 'Cos it won't get you anywhere Fooling with your guns The British Army is waiting out there An' it weighs fifteen hundred tons White youth, black youth Better find another solution Why not phone up Robin Hood And ask him for some wealth distribution Punk Rockers in the UK They won't notice anyway They're all too busy fighting For a good place under the lighting The new groups are not concerned With what there is to be learned They got Burton suits, ha you think it's funny Turning rebellion into money All over people changing their votes Along with their overcoats If Adolf Hitler flew in today They'd send a limousine anyway I'm the all night drug-prowling wolf Who looks so sick in the sun I'm the white man in Hammersmith Palais Two Tone looking for one And I'm only Looking for fun

I am no feeble Christ, not me He hangs in glib delight upon his cross, upon his cross, Above my body, lowly me Christ forgive, forgive? Holy He, He holy, He holy? Shit He forgives, Forgive? Forgive? I? I? Me? I? I vomit for you Jesu Christy Christus Puke upon your papal throne Wrapped I am in the muddy cloud Of hellish genocide Petulant child I have suffered for you Where you have never known me I too must die Will you be shadowed in the arrogance of my death? Your valley truth What light pass those pious heights? What passing bells for these in their trucks? For you lord. You are the flag-bearer of these nations One against the other that die in the mud No piety. No deity Is that your forgiveness? Saint. Martyr. Goat. Billy. Forgive? Shit he forgives He hangs upon his cross In self-righteous judgment Hangs in crucified delight Nailed to the extend of His vision His cross. His manhood. His violence. Guilt. Sin. He would nail my body upon his cross As if I might have waited for him in the garden As if I might have perfumed His body Washed those bloody feet This woman that he seeks Suicide visionary. Death reveller. Rake. Rapist. Gravedigger. Earthmover. Lifefucker. Jesu. You scooped the pits of Auschwitz The soil of Treblinka is rich in your guilt The sorrow of your tradition Your stupid humility is the crown of thorn we all must wear. For you. Ha. Master. Master of gore. Enigma. Stigma. Stigmata. Errata. Eraser. The cross is the mast of our oppression. You fly there, vain flag. You carry it, wear it on your back, Lord. Your back. Enola is your gaiety. Suffer little children (to come unto me) Suffer in that horror. Hirohorror. Hirrohiro. Hiroshimmer. Shimmerhiro. Hiroshima. Hiroshima. Hiroshima. Hiroshima. The bodies are your delight The incandescent flame is the spirit of it They come to you Jesu. To you The nails are the only trinity Hold them in your corpsey gracelessness The image that I have had to suffer These nails at my temple The cross is the virgin body of womanhood That you defile In your guilt you turn your back Nailed to that body Lame-arse Jesus calls me sister There are no words for my contempt Every woman is a cross in filthy theology He turns His back on me in His fear His vain delight is that pain I bear Alone He hangs. His choice. His choice Alone. Alone. His voice. His voice He shares nothing, this Christ Sterile. Impotent. Fucklove prophet of death He's the ultimate pornography He. He. Hear us Jesus You sigh alone in your cockfear You lie alone in your cuntfear. You cry alone in your womanfear. You die alone in you manfear. Alone Jesu, alone In your cockfear. Cuntfear. Womanfear. Manfear. Alone in your fear. Alone in your fear. Alone in your fear. Your fear. Your fear. Your fear. Your fear. Your fear. Your fear. Your fear. Warfare. Warfare. Warfare. Warfare. Warfare. Jesus died for his own sins. Not mine.

THE PRISONER MEETS THE MUPPET HI-FI NORTH OF WATFORD JUNCTION WE GET IN BUT WE DON'T HAVE FUN AN' WE LEAVE BEFORE THE TRUNCHEONS SO IT'S BACK TO WATCH THE DAY TO DAY SAGA OF WORKING PEOPLE HANGING OUT THE WASHING AND CLIPPING COUPONS AND GENERALLY BEING DECENT JOHNNY TOO BAD MEETS JOHNNY BE GOOD IN THE CHARING CROSS ROAD THAT'S THE ONLY THING THAT HAPPENS IN LIFE IS THE WEST END GETS MORE CLOTHES ALL THE GERMANS AND ALL THE FRENCH JAM THEMSELVES DOWN THE TUBE THEY RE-ENACT THE SECOND WORLD WAR WHILE THE RUDE BOYS GET RUDE! AND I LOOK TO MY LEFT AND I LOOK TO MY RIGHT AND I'M LOOKING FOR A MAN I'M LOOKING FOR A SIGN I DON'T WANNA BE THE PRISONER THE PRISONER LIVES IN CAMDEN TOWN SELLING REVOLUTION THE PRISONER LOADS HIS TRACKING ARM UP WITH SELF-DISILLUSION YOUR MOTHER DOES THE WASHING UP YOUR OLD MAN DIGS THE GARDEN YOU'RE ONLY FREE TO GO TO JOBS AN' BUNK THE TRAIN TO STARDOM

Apoth- [/b]Makes me not want to try to do anything! i'm pretty sure you don't mean that. you have rapidly become an industrious & well loved member ov this community, & i'm sure we all appreciate the work you do behind the scenes here. i haven't got the time to check, but i'm sure you've done your usual great job. love your work geezer. keep on keeping on.

Animals & children thrive on routine---as a farmers wife once said. recent evidence shows that the 'highs' & 'lows' ov bi-polar can be avoided by sticking to a routine. as a few here know, the wife & i have been planning to take december, january & febuary off work, in order to search rural areas looking for an idealic country retreat. the anticipation ov such a drastic change & end to our present routine has played havoc w/my wifes mental health. the 'anxiousness' has been slowly building until she finally 'snapped' on thursday. the psychiatrist upped her trifluoperazine dose from 25mg to 30 mg, added sertraline to her daily meds & put her on 40mg of diazepam a day. the sertaline seems to be having some effect on her mood, but it's hard to tell w/all the diazepam, still it's better to see her peaceful, rather than pacing the flat restlessly, hysterically crying while literally trying to tear her hair out, w/me trying to restrain her from hurting herslf. i put this up to explain why i haven't been around too much--if anyone noticed--, but also to ask that members send good thoughts this way---i believe every little bit helps ;) cheers. Simon.

thanks folks it's not so much the fear ov the loss ov routine as the fear ov the fact that we're basically heading off into the unknown. it's something we both want but as the time gets closer "the fear" takes hold. you can't really reason w/a paranoid delusional schizophrenic. medication, reassurance, time & massage ov severly agitated limbs seem to be the only means ov coping. the zoloft does seem to be working pretty well though, hopefully it will only be for a short term, or we may have to delay our plans for awhile. again, thanks for the good vibes :D

In the case of the amino acids I would like to try some of those though. Anyone got where to get any of these things?? I've been looking for mooonths!! googling could have saved you mooonths!!

resistance to tamiflu maybe a worry but relenza maybe a new hope.

Webpage

bully a close friend into thinking they're opinion is worthless, then where does this leave our democracy --surely the whole essence ov party politics in this fairy tale mockery is to coerce people into accepting one version ov reality. government endures through the threat ov violence. compulsory voting resting on the threat ov financial depravation (fine) or physical incarceration is an example ov how removed from democracy the farce ov government has come.

i think that maybe once you make that kind ov link, you'll find yourself increasingly "drawn" there in similar circumstances... then you get the voices in the head

I think, like I've been saying, enlightenment can be found in this lifetime so why does their not appear to be any enlightened beings around?

but wouldn't you think there is an end to it at some point? no. enlightenment as a permanent condition i don't believe possible. change maybe the only constant, & as circumstances change so will you. imagine the very worst that could happen in your life---do you think "enlightenment" would prevent you from being effected? imagine the very best that could happen in your life---do you think "enlightenment" would prevent you from being effected? & by 'effected' i mean a profound change in what you are terming "me"

i dunno mate, i think it's a constant process ov evolving. i mean i know enough about "the real me" to know that in some areas i "could do better", so i'm working on them. other aspects i feel more comfortable w/now than last year; but then circumstances change & possibly areas that i'm comfortable w/now will need attention in a year or so. does any ov that make sense?

the first post is stuff that was all new to me. the second is how the nagas have remained a popular deity in India. this is just to say that some shivite saddhus still use cobra venom as an aid to approach the devine, usually smoked. when smoked a "mist" comes down over the eyes, & various visions are formed within that mist.

The snake ranks sacred second only to the cow. Because of its swift and gliding movement, scaly skin, hypnotic eyes and poisonous bite, it is feared and therefore the subject of myth and legend. Inevitably, it was worshipped in the hope that veneration would make it protect and not harm its devotees. Snake worship forms an important part of mythology, especially in southern India, and the Atharva Veda speaks of this practice. Snakes or nagas are usually represented as gigantic cobras with several hoods, or with a human head and serpent body. They are considered the kings of all other snakes, capable of assuming beguiling human forms. They live in Patala loka and their capital city, Bhogvati, is the richest and the most beautiful city in the whole universe. There are various beliefs about the origin of snakes. The most popular belief, according to the Puranas, is that snakes are the progeny of Sage Kashyapa and Kadru. The Brahmanda Purana, says that they were produced from water, while the Linga Purana states that they originated from Brahma's tears, produced after he realised that he could not create the universe alone without Lord Shiva Eight pre-eminent snakes from mythology are: Shesha, Adisesha or Seshnaga, whose name literally means 'residue', is believed to have been born of what was left after the universe and its inhabitants had been created. Revered as the king of the snakes, he has a 1,000 heads ('sahasrashirsha') which form a massive hood. He is believed to be Vishnu's couch, and his hood shelters the god during the periodic deluges. Earth is said to rest on Seshnaga .He is believed to spew venomous fire that destroys all creation at the end of each kalpa, and is worshipped as a manifestation of Vishnu. Ananta, literally 'endless', is a very long snake, encircling all earth and therefore symbolising eternity. Believed to be dark blue in colour, he, too, is regarded as a manifestation of Vishnu. Vasuki, literally 'of divine being', is believed to be the green, seven-headed naga king who was used as a churning rope around Mount Mandara during the samudra manthan. He is of the same royal status as Shesha and Takshaka. Manasadevi, the queen of the snakes, is sister to Vasuki. She is said to possess special powers to counteract snake venom and protects mortals from snakebite during Chaturmasya Takshaka, lord of the nagas, said to be saffron-coloured and have nine hoods. He was almost destroyed by King Janamejaya, a descendant of the Pandavas, but was saved in the nick of time by a young ascetic, Astika, who was half Brahmin and half naga. This story is probably a mythification of Aryan-Dasa conflict and integration. Kaliya, the five-headed demon serpent, who lived in the depths of the Yamuna, is believed to have troubled Krishna and his friends in their childhood. Finally, Krishna danced on his hood and subdued him, but spared his life at the behest of his wives. Padmaka or Padmanabha is the five-hooded, green-coloured snake who guards the south. Kulika, of whom not much is known, is described as dusky brown, with a half-moon crescent on his head. Each snake is worshipped on a particular day at different times of the year. Besides Vishnu, snakes are also commonly associated with Shiva. He wears a serpent across his chest, as his sacred thread Upanayanam Coiled serpents adorn his hair, neck and arms. For this reason, snakes widely worshipped by Shaivas everywhere and particularly in south India, where Shiva is more popular than Vishnu. Webpage Snake worship no doubt owes its origin to man's natural fear of these reptiles. Hindu books are filled with stories and fables about snakes, and pictures and images of them meet you at every turn. Worshippers search for holes where snakes are likely to be found. When they have found a hole, they make periodic visits, placing before it milk, bananas, and other food that the snake is likely to fancy. Because of its cyclical moulting, the serpent is believed to be immortal by the Hindus, and eternity is thus illustrated in the form of a serpent eating its tail. Temples have also been erected in honour of snakes. There is a particularly famous one in Mysore, at a place called Subramania, which is also the name of the great snake (it is on this snake that Lord Vishnu reclines while sleeping in the sea), so often mentioned in Hindu fables. The Naga culture was fairly widespread in India before the Aryan invasion, and continues to be an important segment of worship in certain areas. After the invasion, the Indo-Aryans incorporated the worship of snakes into Hinduism, as is apparent in prevailing worship and mythology. The thousand-headed Ananta is Vishnu's couch and also holds up the earth, while snakes play an ornamental role in the case of Shiva. Snake worship is more common in peninsular India than in the north. On this day, ploughing a field is forbidden. Legend has it that on this day, while tilling his land, a farmer accidentally killed some young serpents. The mother of these serpents took revenge by biting and killing the farmer and his family, except one daughter, who happened to be praying to the Nagas. This act of devotion resulted in the revival of the farmer and the rest of his family. On this day, the women draw figures of snakes on the walls of their houses using a mixture of black powder, cow dung and milk. Then offerings of milk, ghee, water and rice are made. It is believed that in reward for this worship, snakes will never bite any member of the family. In Maharashtra, snake charmers go from house to house carrying dormant cobras in cane baskets, asking for alms and clothing. This festival heralds the arrival of Ganesha, almost exactly one month later. In Kerala, snake temples are crowded on this day and worship is offered to stone or metal icons of the cosmic serpent Ananta or Sesha. Altars in many Kerala homes have a silver or copper cobra that is worshipped and offered milk and sweets as families pray for the welfare of their children and for prosperity. In Punjab, the festival is celebrated in September-October and is called Guga Naumi. A snake made of dough is taken round the village in a basket, and an offering of flour and butter is made from each house. The 'snake' is then buried. In West Bengal and parts of Assam and Orissa, the snake deity worshipped on Naga Panchami is the goddess Manasa. Lord Krishna and the Kaliya Snake: Nag Panchami is also connected with the following legend of Krishna. Young Krishna was playing with the other cowboys, when suddenly the ball got entangled in the high branch of a tree. Krishna volunteered to climb the tree and fetch the ball. But below the tree there was a deep part of the river Yamuna, in which the terrible snake Kaliya was living. Everybody was afraid of that part of the river. Suddenly Krishna fell from the tree into the water. Then that terrible snake came up. But Krishna was ready and jumping on the snake’s head he caught it by the neck. Kaliya understood that Krishna was not an ordinary boy, and that it would not be easy to overcome him. So Kaliya pleaded with Krishna: “Please, do not kill me.” Krishna full of compassion asked the snake to promise that henceforth he would not harass anybody. Then he let the snake go free into the river again. On Nag Panchami day the victory of Krishna over the Kaliya snake is commemorated. For this reason Krishna is known as “Kaliya Mardan”. Snakes are believed to like milk. As this is the day of the serpents, devotees pour milk into all the holes in the ground around the house or near the temple to propitiate them. Sometimes, a small pot of milk with some flowers is placed near the holes so that the snakes may drink it. If a snake actually drinks the milk, it is considered to be extremely lucky for the devotee. The festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm by all, especially women. As most rivers in India are in spate during the month of Shriven, poisonous snakes come out of their subterranean abodes and creep about in plenty all over the place. Many also float on flooded rivers running through the countryside. Mortality from snakebites must have been considerable to prompt people to worship the nagas to seek protection from them. Because of the fear, nagas were elevated to a divine status by the Hindus. The serpents are believed to have the capability to change their shape at will. When in human form, they are depicted as beautiful women and handsome men. Naga Panchami is observed indifferent ways in different parts of India. It is one of the most ancient fasts, and finds mention in the Puranas. It is believed to be one of the most auspicious days of the entire year. According to the Bhavishya Purana, when men bathe the snakes called Vasuki, Takshaka, Kaliya, Manibhadra, Airavata, Dhritarashtra, Karkotaka and Dhananjaya with milk on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Shriven, they ensure freedom from danger for their families. In some parts of southern India, figures of snakes are drawn with red sandalwood paste on wooden boards, or clay images of snakes coloured yellow or black are purchased. These are then worshipped and offered milk. Snake charmers wander about with all sorts of snakes, to which people offer milk. The snake charmers are paid some money for allowing this Serpent worship developed gradually from the fear of serpents that must have taken a heavy toll on life, particularly at the beginning of the rainy season. In the Ashvalayana Grihyasutra, the Paraskara Grihyasutra and other Grihyasutras, a rite called Sarpabali or 'offerings to serpents' was performed on the full moon night of Shriven. However the reason that it was moved from the full moon night to that of the fifth night of the bright fortnight is not apparent. It may be due to the slight change in the time of the onset of the rains. Webpage