That One Nag Panchami Snake Is Still Nicer Than Some People I Know
- Shweta Bhosale
- Jul 29
- 4 min read
Every year on Nag Panchami, we celebrate snakes. Yes, the actual snakes. The ones that slither, hiss, scare people, and still manage to get a day of prayers, milk offerings, and lots of attention.
But this year, I want to talk about a different kind of snake. One that doesn't live in forests or under rocks. One that lives around us. At work, in our families, and sometimes even in our friend circles.
Yes, I’m talking about the human snakes.
These people don’t hiss or bite in public. They smile. They say nice things. But behind your back, they are spreading gossip, planting doubts, and silently hoping you fail. Compared to them, the real snake on Nag Panchami feels honest, even respectful.
What is Nag Panchami?
Nag Panchami is a Hindu festival where people worship snakes. Devotees offer milk, turmeric, flowers, and sweets to snake idols or real cobras. In some places, snake charmers bring snakes out in public, and people perform rituals to ask for protection, blessings, or to remove fears.
It is believed that snakes are connected to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and other deities. People pray to snakes to avoid harm and to live in peace with nature.
The message of Nag Panchami is simple. Respect the creatures that you fear. Don’t harm them, and don’t spread fear about them.
It’s a beautiful thought. But it also made me think. Maybe we should have a ritual to deal with fake people too.
Why Do We Call People "Snakes"?
In today’s world, calling someone a snake means that they are not trustworthy. These are people who pretend to be your friend but secretly compete with you, mock you, or enjoy your problems.
They might smile at your wedding, but tell others your outfit was too loud. They might ask how your new job is going, only to say behind your back that you are "lucky, not talented." They follow you on Instagram, like your posts, and still talk behind your back.
That is a human snake. And sadly, they are everywhere.
Real Snakes vs Human Snakes
Let’s compare them fairly. You ask me why? Because I have a lot of time to do that!
Real Snake | Human Snake |
Only bites when it feels threatened | Bites you with words for no reason |
Comes out once a year on Nag Panchami | Comes out only to gossip or ask for help |
Honest about being dangerous | Pretends to be your friend |
Lives in forests | Lives in your WhatsApp groups |
To be honest, I would rather deal with a real snake. At least I know it is dangerous and I can keep my distance. With human snakes, you don’t even know they have bitten you until it’s too late.
Snakes at Work
Workplaces are full of these silent biters. The ones who:
Ask for your help on a project, then take all the credit
Act like your biggest supporters in meetings, then bad-mouth you in emails
Pretend they forgot to tag you on LinkedIn because "it just slipped their mind"
The worst part? These people often move up while you’re still busy fixing your energy and wondering what just happened.
Snakes at Family Functions
Family snakes are a special category. They usually wear sarees with heavy embroidery, bring mithai boxes, and know everything about your life, even things you never told them.
They ask questions like:
When are you getting married?
Why are you still renting a flat?
What happened to your job? Saw your cousin’s promotion yesterday.
And then they smile and say, "I’m only asking out of concern."
Of course. Concern served cold and with extra masala.
Friendships That Hiss
Some friends only call you when they need something. A reference, a free design, or your Netflix password.
Then there are the ones who vanish when you need them, but pop up when your reel hits 100K views.
The ones who say, "You’ve changed," when really, you just stopped accepting nonsense.
They might have shared your birthday post, but not your proudest moment. They might have attended your party, but talked badly about the food. They may be in your group photo, but not in your corner.
How to Deal With These Human Snakes
It is not always easy, but here are a few things that help:
Set boundaries. You don’t need to reply to every message or accept every invitation.
Observe actions, not words. People can say anything. But how they treat you when no one is watching says everything.
Don’t overshare. Keep your personal wins, losses, and dreams safe.
Build your real circle. Invest in people who cheer for you when you are not in the room.
Walk away when it gets too heavy. It is not rude. It is self-respect.
Link to a Real Snake Story
Here’s the irony. The real snake only wants to live its life in peace. It doesn't gossip. It doesn’t care about your outfit. It doesn’t compete. It only attacks when it feels threatened.
Meanwhile, the people we know can act out of jealousy, boredom, or pure negativity.
Some even dress better, speak better, and still behave like they are in some daily soap.
In Conclusion
Nag Panchami teaches us to respect even the most feared creature. It tells us that everything in nature has a place and a reason.
But human behavior is harder to understand. Sometimes, the ones we trust the most are the ones who hurt us quietly. And sometimes, the ones who smile the most are hiding the most poison.
So this Nag Panchami, let’s pray not just for safety from snakes in the grass, but also for strength to walk away from snakes in our lives.
And if anyone tells you this blog is too harsh, just smile. You never mentioned any names.
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