Reading Notes: Kashyapa and Nagas

 



Nagas are supernatural serpents that are depicted as either complete serpents, complete humans with multiple snake hoods protruding from the back, or being half-snake and half-human. They are also known to live in an aquatic realm that is filled with treasures. It is also thought that anthills are portals to this world. Nagas are often seen as a symbol of rebirth, death, fertility, immortality, medicine, health and wealth due to their mystical powers.


According to The Mahabharata, rishi Kashyap and Kadru are the parents of all nagas. Shesha was the eldest, and then came Vasuki, Manasa, and many more. Kashyapa had another wife, who was also Kadru’s sister, Vinata. She gave birth to Vishnu’s vahana, Garuda, an eagle-human hybrid and he became the arch-nemesis of the nagas since eagles consume snakes.

In The Ramayana, Indrajit used the Nagapasha astra on Rama and Lakshmana, which hurled venomous snakes over them. The two fell unconscious and Garuda came to their rescue and got rid of the venomous snakes.



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