Nagas and Their World of Mysticism
J. K. Rowling, British author stated in a tweet that "the Naga are snake-like mythical creatures of Indonesian mythology, hence the name 'Nagini.'" Amish Tripathi, the writer of the bestseller Shiva trilogy, responded to Rowling's tweet with the following: "Actually @jk_rowling the Naga mythology emerged from India. It travelled to Indonesia with the Indic/Hindu empires that emerged there in the early Common Era, with the influence of Indian traders and Rishis/Rishikas who travelled there. Nagin is a Sanskrit language word.” Nagini is Lord Voldemort's snake in the Harry Potter series. However, few people are familiar with or have a thorough understanding of the concept of the naga despite the fact that nagas are part of a number of traditions across the world and definitely, its origin goes back to India.
Nagas are strong, semi-divine serpents that guard the earth's riches. They frequently take on human forms, and their rulers enjoy the ultimate in luxury with their entourages in their splendid palaces at the bottom of lakes, rivers, and the sea. Both male and female Nagas may transform into humans. When a female naga assumes human form, she is invariably praised for her unfathomable beauty. However, because they possess lethal poison and supernatural abilities, and are thought to be impulsive, they are viewed as dangerous. The notion of Nagas is prevalent in various cultures and religions.
Hinduism:
The Nāgas are said to guard Bhogavatī, the capital of Nāgaloka, according to the Bhagavat Purana. Since the Nāgaloka is below the earth, it is believed that sunlight is impeded there. But the Nagalok's darkness is dispelled by the jewel-set Nāgas' flashes. It has lovely gardens, rivulets, and other features purportedly there for their delight. In Hindu mythology, the Nagas are frequently connected to fertility. Some are depicted with multiple heads, while others are shown as humans. The celestial serpents are the offspring of Kadru, the daughter of Daksha and the Vedic sage Kashyapa, the son of Marichi. In Hinduism, the most well-known nagas are Shesha, Vasuki, and Takshaka.
Vishnu sleeps atop Shesha Naga, also known as Ananta, whose hoods provide shade, when he is sleeping. Earthquakes are caused by his yawns.
The Lord of Serpents is called Vasuki. The narrative of the ocean churning or sagar manthan featured the naga Vasuki as a rope to churn the oceans when Shiva performed the cosmic dance of creation, and later he wore it as a girdle which has the ability to drive out demons.
Takshaka is the tribe leader of snakes who is mentioned in the Mahabharata epic. He is related to the Ikshvaku dynasty, which is the same lineage that Rama is purported to be descended from.
The Pandavas of the Kuru clan as well as nagas are shown at loggerheads in the Mahabharata. The Khandava woodland was Takshaka and his tribe's home. Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers burned down the forest in the absence of Takshaka and slayed his wife while his son, Ashvasena managed to escape. Later, Ashvasena took his revenge by attacking him during the Kurukshetra War when he was engaged in combat with Karna. Brihadbala was the name of Takshaka's another son, who was killed in the war by Arjuna's son Abhimanyu. In order to exact his retribution, Takshaka disguised himself and poisoned Arjuna's grandson Parikshit. Later, Takshasila was the scene of a battle waged by King Janamejaya, the son of Parikshit, who drove out the Takshaka-led Nagas from Takshasila. The bloodshed continued between the Kuru clan and the Naga race until the sage Astika, the son of a Naga Mansa who is the sister of Vasuki intervened and saved the naga race from complete destruction when King Janamejaya decided to annihilate them by sacrificing them in his yajna, called the sarpa satra. At Astika's request, Janamejaya freed Takshaka, put an end to the Naga carnage, and severed all ties of hostility with them. The Nagas and Kurus coexisted peacefully after that as Janamejaya turned into a peaceful monarch. In India and Nepal, the day is commemorated as Naga Panchami since Astika rescued Takshaka and his kin from the fatal yajna. This celebration honours these demi-gods and Mansa, the mother of Astika, is revered as a devi (goddess).
Buddhism:
The Nagas are frequently thought of in Buddhist tradition as water deities. It is said that the naga kings look after rivers, lakes, and seas as well as regulate rainfall. They offer defense against lightning-related fires. They live deep inside the earth throughout the winter, but they soar to the heavens in the spring. The Buddha in his previous existence is said to be born as a naga. He was born as a naga King Champeyya in the lake Champa, as King Samkhapala in the lake Samkhapala, and as King Bhuridatta in the sacred River Yamuna.
It is also believed that the Nagas watch over Buddhist texts. In accordance with Northern Buddhism, Nagarjuna, the founder of Mahayanism, received instruction from the Nagas in the sea, who showed him unknown books and presented him his most significant work, the Prajnaparamita Sutra, which he brought back to India. As a result, his given name, Arjuna, was altered to Nagarjuna, and he is depicted in art as having seven Nagas above his head. According to legend, Gautama Buddha gave the text to the Nagas so they could keep it secure until humanity was ready to receive it.
Within the hierarchy of the world in Indian Buddhism, nagas are ranked eighth, following the Buddhas, Pratyekabuddhas, Arhats, Devas, Brahmas, Gandharvas, and Garudas. They are always portrayed as huge serpents in the Buddhist Jataka tales. Many Naga monarchs are mentioned in the Mahayana School of Buddhism; the eight "Great Naga kings" are Nanda or Nagaraja (the King of the Nagas), Upananda, Sagara, Vasuki, Takshaka, Balavan, Anavatapta, and Utpal. These eight in Chinese and Japanese mythology are known as "eight Great Dragon Kings". They were supposed to have been the Buddha's audience when he imparted the Sadharma Pundarika Sutra's teachings. The Buddha gave Vajrapani the task of defending them against the Garudas, their adversaries, as the nagas appeared before him to hear what him deliver his wisdom. According to Buddhism, nagas and garudas are the submissive attendants of saints, bodhisattvas, and Buddhas who are constantly ready to absorb their teachings. Elapatra, the king of the Nagas, assumed a human form so that he could hear the Buddha's sermon.
As per the Lalitavistara and Mahavagga, the Buddha after attaining enlightenment went to lake Muchalinda. There the meditating Buddha was shielded from the wind and rain for seven days by the coils and hoods of the Naga King Muchalinda, who resided in lake Muchalinda. It has been portrayed in Buddhist iconography in a number of places in India including Bodh Gaya, the land of enlightenment.
Because nagas are also connected to clouds and rain, as mentioned in the Jataka tales, the Chinese tied the concept of naga with their dragon. The ability of Nagas to produce rain is very much emphasized in the Chinese Tripitaka. For example, in Chinese Tripitaka, when the Buddha went into river Muchalinda (not lake here), he was protected by the Naga king by surrounding him with seven coils and covering him with his seven heads (not hoods) and the delighted Naga caused wind and rain for seven days and nights. The Korean Tripitaka is the same in this regard. They are primarily associated with bringing rain.
Jainism:
In Jainism, the Nagas are connected to guardianship and protection. The Tirthankaras (spiritual guides) are frequently pictured with a Naga sheltering over their heads. Parshvanath, the 23rd Tirthankara is also known as Panibhushan meaning the one wearing snakes. In Jain iconography, he is often shown with a multiple headed naga. A tale involving Parshvanatha's rescue of a snake stuck in a log in an ascetic's fire is told in the Jain text Kalpa-sutra. A demon-sent storm shielded Parshvanatha from the snake when it later reincarnated as Dharana, the king of the underworld kingdom of Nagas.
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Interestingly, the Nagas were featured in some British East India Company coins as well. Well, that is undoubtedly inaccurate. However, they, along with Hindu gods and goddesses, do appear on some coins of the British East India Company which are fake.
To conclude, the Nagas are mentioned in a variety of regional myths and tales throughout South Asian, Far Eastern, and Southeast Asian civilizations. In these tales, they are frequently portrayed as guardians of holy places or as keepers of hidden riches. The ongoing relevance of these semi-divine serpentine entities in their society is reflected in the art, architecture, and customs of the people, in addition to their existence being obvious in myths and legends.
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