Difference between revisions of "Nagas"
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| − | + | [[Ah]], young {{Wiki|mortal}}, so nice to see you again. So far I have told you about Y Ddraig Gosh, the [[Red]] [[Dragon]] of [[Wales]], and Fafnir, the [[greedy]] {{Wiki|Norse}} {{Wiki|dwarf}} who became a [[dragon]]. Today I am going to tell you about a race of [[dragons]] from [[India]] called [[nagas]]. [[Nagas]] do not look like me or either of the previous [[dragons]] I have mentioned. Instead, [[nagas]] look like the hooded {{Wiki|cobra}}, though they can vary greatly in size and have many heads. [[Nagas]] can also take on [[human]] [[forms]] as well as hybrid [[forms]]. [[Nagas]] are seen as [[deities]] in both [[Hinduism]] and [[Buddhism]]. They are also seen as [[nature]] [[spirits]] and are closely associated with [[water]] rather than with [[fire]] like we [[dragons]] of the {{Wiki|West}}. Also, unlike many [[western]] [[dragons]], [[nagas]] are usually quite {{Wiki|benevolent}} - unless they are mistreated. Something that we do have in common is the protecting of [[treasure]]. | |
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| − | [[ | + | In [[Hinduism]], one very important [[naga]] is [[Shesha]], the [[king]] of the [[nagas]]. [[Shesha]] is one of the first [[beings]] ever created and he holds the entire [[universe]] on his many hoods. According to {{Wiki|Hindu texts}}, [[Shesha]] is an [[avatar]] of the [[divine]] [[power]] [[Sankarshana]]. He is also a loyal servant of the [[god]] [[Vishnu]]. [[Shesha]] has followed [[Vishnu]] through many [[incarnations]], or [[lives]], and has been his loyal companion. [[Vishnu]] has taken on various [[forms]] in [[order]] to {{Wiki|protect}} [[humans]] and the [[world]]. When [[Vishnu]] took on the [[avatar]] of the [[Indian]] [[hero]] {{Wiki|Rama}}, [[Shesha]] took on the [[avatar]] of Rama’s brother {{Wiki|Lakshmana}} so that he could stay with him and assist him. When [[Vishnu]] took on the [[avatar]] of {{Wiki|Krishna}}, [[Shesha]] took on the [[avatar]] of [[Krishna’s]] brother [[Balarama]]. Such loyalty is extremely different from the [[deception]] and [[selfishness]] in the story of Fafnir, is it not? Though we are all [[dragons]], we are all very different, just like you [[humans]]. |
| + | Two other important [[Hindu]] [[nagas]] are [[Manasa]] and her brother [[Vasuki]]. [[Manasa]] is the [[Hindu]] [[goddess]] of {{Wiki|snakes}}. She is associated with {{Wiki|fertility}} and {{Wiki|prosperity}} and she is also capable of curing snakebites. Manasa’s mother is {{Wiki|Kadru}}, the mother of all [[nagas]], and her father is [[recognized]] as Kadru’s husband, the [[sage]] [[Kashyapa]], though it is also believed that the [[god]] [[Shiva]] is Manasa’s father. [[Vasuki]], on the other hand, is a [[naga king]] who allowed the [[gods]] and [[demons]] to use him as a churning rope in [[order]] to churn the [[ocean of milk]] and extract the [[nectar]] of [[life]]. [[Vasuki]], as well as other [[nagas]], is also a worshiper and [[protector]] of the [[Buddha]], who is said to be yet another [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]]. | ||
| + | An important [[naga]] in [[Buddhism]] is the [[naga king]] [[Mucalinda]], who protected the [[Buddha]] from the [[elements]] for seven days by sheltering him with his hood. It is widely believed that the [[Buddha]] was an [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]]. Many also believe that [[Mucalinda]] was an [[avatar]] of [[Shesha]]. According to the [[Mahayanists]], followers of one [[sect]] of [[Buddhism]], there are four classes into which [[nagas]] can be placed. The [[Heavenly]] [[Nagas]] are {{Wiki|guardians}} of the [[heavenly]] palace. The [[Divine]] [[Nagas]] control the clouds and the [[rain]]. The [[Earthly]] [[Nagas]] control the [[rivers]]. Lastly, there are the Hidden [[Nagas]] who {{Wiki|guard}} [[treasure]]. | ||
| − | [https://sites.google.com/site/dragonsaroundtheworlds/nagas] | + | Along with [[Buddhism]], the [[nagas]] spread out towards [[China]], [[Tibet]], and other {{Wiki|Asian}} countries. Because of this, the [[dragons]] of [[China]] and [[Japan]] are closely related with the [[nagas]] of [[India]], but I will tell you more about this next [[time]]. Until then, young {{Wiki|mortal}}. |
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| + | Author’s Note: I used [[information]] from [[Sacred Texts]] Archive and Wikipedia. I wanted to go into more [[information]] on [[Shesha]], but I have a [[feeling]] I would have gotten off track, and I wanted to make this a general overview of the [[nagas]] and feature a few different ones. I’ve actually studied [[Buddhism]] on and off for a few years, but until really [[looking at]] the [[nagas]], I had never [[heard]] of [[Mucalinda]]. I also hadn’t [[realized]] how many [[nagas]] there are in {{Wiki|Chinese}} and [[Japanese]] [[dragon]] lore. I have some [[dragons]] I’m focusing on for [[China]] and [[Japan]], but there may be a [[naga]] in there now too. I think it’s [[interesting]] how [[Western]] [[dragons]] are usually huge [[malevolent]] fire-breathers with wings and claws while the Eastern [[dragons]] look like cobras, [[humans]], or a mix, are associated with [[water]], and are kind unless they are mistreated. They’re so different, yet they are all [[dragons]]. I guess it’s the same with [[humans]] though. The {{Wiki|image}} of [[Vishnu]] and [[Lakshmi]] resting on [[Shesha]] is extremely popular. On the {{Wiki|image}} [[information]], it refers to [[Shesha]] as Sheshnag. I’ve noticed that the final ‘a’ is left off sometimes, but from my [[understanding]], Sheshnag is a contracted version of [[Shesha]] and [[naga]]. | ||
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| + | Fun Fact: In the Harry Potter series, Vlademort's {{Wiki|snake}} is named [[Nagini]]. [[Nagini]] is used to refer to a {{Wiki|female}} [[naga]]. Therefore, [[Nagini]] is a [[naga]]! I [[thought]] that was really neat. | ||
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| + | ==[[Bibliography]]:== | ||
| + | *“[[Indian]] [[Nagas]] and Draconic Prototypes” by Ernest Ingersoll, from [[Dragons]] and [[Dragon]] Lore (1928). Web Soucre: [[Sacred Texts]] Archive. | ||
| + | *“{{Wiki|Manasa}}.” Website: Wikipedia. | ||
| + | *“{{Wiki|Nāga}}.” Website: Wikipedia. | ||
| + | *“{{Wiki|Shesha}}.” Website: Wikipedia. | ||
| + | *“{{Wiki|Vaskui}}.” Website: Wikipedia. | ||
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| + | {{R}} | ||
| + | [https://sites.google.com/site/dragonsaroundtheworlds/nagas sites.google.com/site/dragonsaroundtheworlds] | ||
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| + | [[Category:Nagas]] | ||
Latest revision as of 11:54, 30 October 2023
Ah, young mortal, so nice to see you again. So far I have told you about Y Ddraig Gosh, the Red Dragon of Wales, and Fafnir, the greedy Norse dwarf who became a dragon. Today I am going to tell you about a race of dragons from India called nagas. Nagas do not look like me or either of the previous dragons I have mentioned. Instead, nagas look like the hooded cobra, though they can vary greatly in size and have many heads. Nagas can also take on human forms as well as hybrid forms. Nagas are seen as deities in both Hinduism and Buddhism. They are also seen as nature spirits and are closely associated with water rather than with fire like we dragons of the West. Also, unlike many western dragons, nagas are usually quite benevolent - unless they are mistreated. Something that we do have in common is the protecting of treasure.
In Hinduism, one very important naga is Shesha, the king of the nagas. Shesha is one of the first beings ever created and he holds the entire universe on his many hoods. According to Hindu texts, Shesha is an avatar of the divine power Sankarshana. He is also a loyal servant of the god Vishnu. Shesha has followed Vishnu through many incarnations, or lives, and has been his loyal companion. Vishnu has taken on various forms in order to protect humans and the world. When Vishnu took on the avatar of the Indian hero Rama, Shesha took on the avatar of Rama’s brother Lakshmana so that he could stay with him and assist him. When Vishnu took on the avatar of Krishna, Shesha took on the avatar of Krishna’s brother Balarama. Such loyalty is extremely different from the deception and selfishness in the story of Fafnir, is it not? Though we are all dragons, we are all very different, just like you humans.
Two other important Hindu nagas are Manasa and her brother Vasuki. Manasa is the Hindu goddess of snakes. She is associated with fertility and prosperity and she is also capable of curing snakebites. Manasa’s mother is Kadru, the mother of all nagas, and her father is recognized as Kadru’s husband, the sage Kashyapa, though it is also believed that the god Shiva is Manasa’s father. Vasuki, on the other hand, is a naga king who allowed the gods and demons to use him as a churning rope in order to churn the ocean of milk and extract the nectar of life. Vasuki, as well as other nagas, is also a worshiper and protector of the Buddha, who is said to be yet another avatar of Vishnu.
An important naga in Buddhism is the naga king Mucalinda, who protected the Buddha from the elements for seven days by sheltering him with his hood. It is widely believed that the Buddha was an avatar of Vishnu. Many also believe that Mucalinda was an avatar of Shesha. According to the Mahayanists, followers of one sect of Buddhism, there are four classes into which nagas can be placed. The Heavenly Nagas are guardians of the heavenly palace. The Divine Nagas control the clouds and the rain. The Earthly Nagas control the rivers. Lastly, there are the Hidden Nagas who guard treasure.
Along with Buddhism, the nagas spread out towards China, Tibet, and other Asian countries. Because of this, the dragons of China and Japan are closely related with the nagas of India, but I will tell you more about this next time. Until then, young mortal.
Author’s Note: I used information from Sacred Texts Archive and Wikipedia. I wanted to go into more information on Shesha, but I have a feeling I would have gotten off track, and I wanted to make this a general overview of the nagas and feature a few different ones. I’ve actually studied Buddhism on and off for a few years, but until really looking at the nagas, I had never heard of Mucalinda. I also hadn’t realized how many nagas there are in Chinese and Japanese dragon lore. I have some dragons I’m focusing on for China and Japan, but there may be a naga in there now too. I think it’s interesting how Western dragons are usually huge malevolent fire-breathers with wings and claws while the Eastern dragons look like cobras, humans, or a mix, are associated with water, and are kind unless they are mistreated. They’re so different, yet they are all dragons. I guess it’s the same with humans though. The image of Vishnu and Lakshmi resting on Shesha is extremely popular. On the image information, it refers to Shesha as Sheshnag. I’ve noticed that the final ‘a’ is left off sometimes, but from my understanding, Sheshnag is a contracted version of Shesha and naga.
Fun Fact: In the Harry Potter series, Vlademort's snake is named Nagini. Nagini is used to refer to a female naga. Therefore, Nagini is a naga! I thought that was really neat.
Bibliography:
- “Indian Nagas and Draconic Prototypes” by Ernest Ingersoll, from Dragons and Dragon Lore (1928). Web Soucre: Sacred Texts Archive.
- “Manasa.” Website: Wikipedia.
- “Nāga.” Website: Wikipedia.
- “Shesha.” Website: Wikipedia.
- “Vaskui.” Website: Wikipedia.
