From the Padma Purāṇa
A Serpent’s Journey Around the Temple
In a peaceful village nestled among groves and fields, stood a splendid temple of Lord Viṣṇu at its very heart. Surrounded by manicured gardens and smooth stone pathways, the temple was a place of daily pilgrimage. Devotees would come from near and far, offering flowers, lamps, and most commonly, performing pradakṣiṇā—circumambulating the temple in reverence, gratitude, and surrender.
One bright morning, as the sun bathed the courtyard in golden light, a snake emerged from the underbrush. It was not aggressive or fearful—it moved with calm and silent grace. Perhaps in search of warmth, or simply led by unseen destiny, the snake slithered along the stone path that encircled the temple sanctum.
Unaware of its surroundings, the serpent followed the very path taken by countless devotees. Unknowingly, it completed one full pradakṣiṇā of the Lord’s temple. And then another. The snake circled the temple several times, gliding in silence, its body brushing against the cool stones imbued with centuries of devotion.
A Witness in Awe
A learned and gentle temple priest stood near the sanctum entrance, observing this unusual sight. He made no move to chase away the snake. Instead, he folded his hands in wonder and thought, “The Lord accepts all service—look how even this creature has performed pradakṣiṇā without malice or intent. Surely this is not ordinary.”
After a time, the snake slowly made its way out of the temple grounds and vanished into the tall grasses nearby. Days passed, and life in the village flowed as usual.
The Moment of Liberation
Not long after, the same snake was bitten by another creature while near the bank of a small river and left its body. But the end of its life marked not destruction, but divine deliverance.
At the moment of death, from the sky descended the Viṣṇudūtas—the shining servants of Lord Viṣṇu. Clad in yellow garments, radiant with spiritual light, and bearing the conch, disc, club, and lotus, they appeared before the soul of the departed snake.
They spoke with gentle authority:
“Though you were in the body of a serpent, you circumambulated the temple of Lord Viṣṇu. You did so without offense, and without intention—but the sacred power of that act cannot be diminished. One round of pradakṣiṇā in a holy place wipes away the sins of countless births. By the mercy of the Lord, you are now purified and worthy of liberation.”
At their words, the soul of the snake shed its lower covering and assumed a resplendent, divine form. Its eyes sparkled with awareness and peace. With folded hands, it bowed to the Viṣṇudūtas, who gently lifted it and carried it upward—toward Vaikuṇṭha, the eternal realm of the Lord.
The Priest’s Revelation
Later, the priest who had seen the snake’s pradakṣiṇā shared the story with the villagers. Their hearts were filled with astonishment, and then with awe. From that day onward, the practice of circumambulating the temple became even more sacred to them.
Many began increasing their rounds, doing so with deeper devotion and prayerful hearts. They remembered that even one unknowing step in the holy abode of the Lord can lead to liberation, if done without offense.
Lessons from This Story
- Sacred Spaces Transform the Soul: Even unintentional acts of devotion performed in holy places carry immense spiritual power.
- The Lord Is Merciful Beyond Comprehension: He accepts service from all living beings—regardless of their form, knowledge, or intent—if they come without offense.
- Pradakṣiṇā Is a Powerful Practice: Going around the temple with humility purifies the heart and soul, and can lead to liberation.
- Scriptural Confirmation: mandirāṇi tu devānāṁ
“The temples of the Lord are divine abodes. Any act performed there—whether walking, bowing, singing, or offering—is accepted by the Lord and brings spiritual merit.”
