Nāga
Nāga are mythological creatures prominent in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, depicted as beings with human upper bodies and serpent lower halves, often associated with snakes, cobras, and sea serpents. The term "nāga" in Sanskrit translates to "cobra" or "snake." These beings occupy a complex role in mythology, embodying both benevolent and malevolent traits; they are considered nature spirits and guardians of water, rain, and fertility. In various narratives, nāgas possess the ability to shapeshift, navigate human society undetected, and bestow immortality upon favored individuals.
Prominent figures among the nāgas include Taksaka, a character known for his significant interactions with kings, and Muchalinda, who famously sheltered the Buddha during meditation. Nāgas hold a revered place in cultural practices, particularly in India, where they are worshiped and are believed to bring good fortune. The legends reflect their dual nature, as they can also enact vengeance if disrespected, particularly through pollution of water bodies. Across Southeast and East Asian cultures, nāga are integrated into folklore and art, symbolizing protection and the balance of nature, with festivals such as Nāga Panchami celebrating their significance.
Nāga
God or Goddess Information
- Symbol: snakes, sea serpents, cobras
- Culture: Hindu and Buddhist
- Mother: Khadru
- Father: Kasapaya
A nāga is a creature from Buddhist and Hindu mythology. They are considered nature spirits and are closely affiliated with snakes, sea serpents, and especially cobras. Some people consider these mythological creatures to be demons, while others view them as immortal demigods. Nāga is a Sanskrit word that means "cobra" or "snake." These reptilian creatures have the upper halves of humans and the lower halves of snakes. They are like mermaids, except with snake tails instead of fishtails. Sometimes, their human heads are depicted with a cobra hood. Buddhists sometimes portray nāgas as cobras with more than one head. Some consider them to be legless dragons. The words dragon and nāga can be interchangeable in Asian literature.
Female nāgas are sometimes called nāginis or nāgis. Nāginis are said to be very beautiful and have magical jewels in their heads.
The nāga were thought to be powerful, having both good and evil qualities. These beings could shape-shift into human form so that they could walk through human cities undetected. They were thought to be able to grant immortality to those they favored. If angered, nāgas might use venom to kill the offender. Another way nāgas might destroy their enemies is by squeezing them, as a boa constrictor might. Much like the mythical basilisks, nāgas were thought to be able to end their victims' lives simply by looking into their eyes. One way people might offend nāgas is by polluting bodies of water.
In Mythology
Taksaka is an important nāga character. He lorded over twenty-seven types of snakes. He killed a king with his bite, infuriating the king's son. The king's son wished to burn all the serpents in the world as retribution. Taksaka sought refuge with Indra, the chief of all the gods. But both Indra and the nāga king were pulled toward the prince's fire. Fortunately, they were rescued by a sage.
These creatures are folklore characters in many countries in the East, including China, India, and Laos. Because India is known for snake worship, nāgas are prominent in the country's mythology. The Gaddi people of India's Punjab region continue to worship the nāgas, even leaving offerings. Many important Indian dynasties claim to have a nāga ancestor. Nāgas play an important role in the Mahabharata, an Indian epic, and also feature in many Buddhist sutras.
The Mahabharata reveals that nāgas were enemies of the garudas, creatures of the skies. The nāgas controlled the rains. If they held back the rains for too long, the garudas would force them to unleash the rains. When Buddha intervened to help the nāgas and protect them from the garudas, the nāgas and garudas became friends, ending their long-standing enmity.
Buddha also made reference to the nāgas in a parable. He said their strength depended on the Himalayan Mountains. Once they had gained the power they needed, the nāgas returned to their palatial homes in the underwater realms. He compared the nāgas to the monks and the Himalayan Mountains to the Seven Factors of Enlightenment. If the monks drew strength from the Seven Factors as the nāgas drew strength from the mountains, the monks would attain their desires, as the nāgas collected their wealth in the sea.
Muchalinda, a nāga, used his hood to protect the meditating Buddha from the inclement weather. The nāgas also guarded sacred scriptures, the Prajnaparamita Sutras, for Buddha until he felt he was ready to learn the knowledge within them. Sheshna, another nāga, keeps watch over the god Vishnu while he sleeps.
On the border between Laos and Thailand, people watch for fireballs in the water. The cause of this underwater luminescence, some onlookers believe, is nāgas. Specifically, the fireballs are thought to be nāga eggs. People in Laos believe that nāgas are sea serpents. Even in modern times, people in the East claim they have seen gargantuan snakes.
Cambodians believe the nāga realm is in the Pacific Ocean. Nāgas are important to the Cambodian legends. One such story is about a long-ago ruler, a king named Preah Thong, who married a nāga princess called Neang Neak. From the union of the two, the Cambodians (Khmer) were born. Many nāga images can be seen in important architecture throughout Cambodia. The seven-headed variety is popular, with the heads thought to correspond to the seven colors of the rainbow.
Origins & Cults
Thought to be children of the god Brahma's granddaughter, Kadru, and her husband, Kashyapa, nāgas have a strong association with good fortune. They are thought to bring fertility and good luck to those who worship them. Despite their parentage, they serve the god Indra. They are thought to be guardian spirits who protect the elixir of immortality. Buddhist and Hindu shrines often have stone statues of these demigods at the entrance.
As nature spirits, they are most often associated with water. They did not always live under the sea. First, they lived on land until Brahma decided there were too many of them. He sent them to underwater realms. They are thought to make their homes at the bottom of bodies of water. They live in spacious, jeweled homes, and the name of their kingdom is named Patala, or sometimes Bhagavati. Because of their association with water, they are considered guardians of raindrops and pearls. Nāga supposedly are in charge of the distribution of rain. Sometimes, nāginis take a liking to mortals and bring them to their underwater home. The nāgas also have negative associations. Some legends claim these serpentine creatures will put a fiery end to the world.
In the twenty-first century, nāga remained important in Eastern religions and cultures. In Hinduism, they continued their association with fertility and protection. Festivals like Nāga Panchami were dedicated to nāga. Nāga remained important to Buddhism as well. The symbolism of nāga continued to be found in the art, literature, and culture of many South and Southeast Asian peoples.
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