Naag Panchami

Today being Nagarapanchami,a few learning points to share

There are 8 Nagadevatas who are worshipped 

Vaasuki,Takshaka,Kaaliya,Manib hadraka,Airavata,Drutharaashtr a,Kaarkotaka

And Dhananjaya.

Worship of Snakes is symbolic for the Nagadevas who are invisible 

Rishi gave description of 5 headed,7 headed,1000 headed etc.We do not see any of these in this world,are they just imaginary then?.

Adi shankaracharya's Yogataravali and Sharada Tilaka mentions pranashakthi in Kundalini
akin to the Adi shesha.With the awakening of Kundalini,the pranasthithi rises up in 5,7 or 1000 head upwards.

Rig veda does not give a mention about Nagaradhane.Yajurveda Taittireeya and Vaajasaneya samhitha gives the prostrations to the sarpa.

Naga and Sarpa are different.

In Bhagavat Gita Lord Krishna says,''Among the sarpa,I am Vasuki',''Among the Naagas,I am Anantha'.

Naagas are multi headed have a white body where as Sarpa have one head and have different colours.

Going by the Shruti,smriti and Purana,the worship of Sarpa/Naaga are to the divine characters,not to the snakes in the world.