Ophiology in Ancient India: A Source of the Indian Knowledge System

Ophiology, the study of snakes, was a vital component of ancient India’s knowledge system, seamlessly integrating scientific inquiry, medicinal practices, and cultural reverence. This article explores the role of ophiology in ancient India, focusing on its scientific foundations in Vedic and Ayurvedic texts, its ecological insights, and its cultural significance, particularly through the Buddhist deities Janguli and Tara. Drawing from primary sources like the Atharvaveda, Susruta Samhita, and Charaka Samhita, as well as secondary scholarship, it examines how ancient Indians studied snakes, their venoms, and their symbolic roles. The inclusion of Janguli, a protectress against snakebites, and Tara, a compassionate Buddhist goddess associated with serpent motifs, highlights the intersection of ophiology with Buddhist spirituality. This study underscores ophiology’s contributions to the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) and its relevance to modern science, ecology, and cultural preservation.