Icchadhari Naagin

Phew! The analysis is done, on time. I can start designing the slab and foundation post lunch, I murmured to myself as I arranged the files on my desk.

"Girls, I am hungry be on time", Trupti alarmed us as she entered our design department and then straight to me. We exchanged smiles.

And before I could barely speak, she exclaimed, "Yeah Supreet look at me again, are you wearing colored lenses today? Looks nice and your eyes resemble to the Naagin of Ekta's serial. "

" Ichadari Naagin not Naagin" I clarified. Oh yes!, Trupti immediately quipped as we laughed while Pranab my neighbor at the office looked quizzed at us but didn't dare ask because he feared we might take his entire lunchtime. What's that? Sonal asked curiously as she walked towards us carrying her lunch box.

But tell us in short, I and Pranab have to go out for lunch today, Shantanu requested sitting at his desk as he was multitasking his work like Mrunali. ( Everyone chuckles)

Ok and I continued. We all know the importance of Naag and Naagin in Hindu Mythology, they are worshipped as Gods and also its known they are big devotees of Lord Shiva.

Icchadari means you can attain anything you wish and Naagin means the female cobra. Icchadari Naagin are shape shifting cobras which can take form of any human, animal or creature. Cobras are identified as the most intelligent species among snakes. A snake doesn't harm any human until the later prodes.

It is believed that a snake which has not used its poisonous glands, accumulates the poison and converts it into a crystal called "Nag Mani" which is the most precious gem and is very powerful, anyone who posses it will be the master of its powers. The Icchadari Nag and Naagin's prime purpose is to protect the Nag Mani especially from the greedy humans and evil forces.

Once a naag and naagin were mating when some hunters attacked them. They killed the Naag and Naagin was nearly dead. Snakes being huge devotees of Lord Shiva, Naagin prayed to God for blessing and to seek revenge. Lord Shiva blessed the Naagin with unique powers mainly comprising of changing forms.

It is said when you kill an Icchadari Naag the imprisson of the killer is traced in the Naag's eye. The Naagin now knew all the faces and killed each and everyone of the hunters painfully, dragging them from their hidden places . After her revenge was completed she left the world with all her powers assimilated in the NagMani. Lord Shiva had blessed if any Naag or Naagin would do Tapasya for 100 years they will get the same powers. Hence not all cobras are Icchadari Naag, they happen to be only one in 100 years.

It is also worth noting that it is very difficult for a snake to not use its venom and practice tapasya for 100 years so when they overcome this with their will power , Lord Shiva blesses them as Icchadari Naag. Hence many a times you all must have heard when our ancestors dug deep earth to find treasure, they would find snakes because they live underground and are believed to safeguard treasures.

So is it real that Icchadari Naagin exists? Sonal asked as an afterthought.

Maybe, yes! I replied but the lesson here is, If your willpower is strong then God will bless you to achieve all your dreams. Good intention and Resilience is the Tapasya!

The desk phone rangs, ( Its Pratima Madam),Are you girls coming for lunch , I had sent Trupti but even she stayed there with you all itseems she asked.

We quickly collect the lunch boxes and rush.