The Origin Story and Significance of Shesh Naga

In Hinduism, devotees deeply respect not only the gods and goddesses but also their animal companions and the vehicles they ride on. They also honor the musical instruments and weapons used by the deities, as well as the stars and planets associated with them.

Countless stories in Indian folklore feature magical creatures, unbreakable spells, and fascinating tales of gods and goddesses known for their incredible powers, breathtaking beauty, and boundless kindness and compassion. Additionally, Hinduism cherishes a host of semi-divine beings whom millions across the country adore.

Among these beings, the Nagas, known for their extraordinary divine abilities, stand revered in Hindu thought, stories, art, and culture. Shesh Naga, a colossal snake king and one of the foundational entities of the universe, stands out among them.

Also known as Sheshnaga or AdiShesh, Shesh rules all Nagas. Legends say that all the planets in the universe rest on his heads, and his movement from one head to another causes earthquakes. Shesh Naga embodies the notion of gravitational force, maintaining the orbits of all planets and stars.

Lord Vishnu rests on Shesh Naga, who devoutly worships him.

The epic Mahabharata describes Shesh Naga as the firstborn of Sage Kashyapa and Kadru, daughter of Daksha. After Shesh’s birth, Kadru gave birth to more children, including Vasuki and Takshaka, in that sequence. Many of Shesh’s brothers enjoyed causing trouble and hurting others for fun. Interestingly, Sage Kashyapa had another son, Garuda, with Vinatha, Kadru’s sister, making Garuda Shesh’s step-brother. Unfortunately, Shesh’s brothers were just as mean to Garuda.

Disgusted and unhappy with his brothers’ cruel antics, Shesh decided to leave his family behind and chose a life of intense spiritual practices and meditation, subsisting only on air. He traveled to many sacred places for his penance, including Gandhamadana, Badarikashrama, Pushkara, Gokarna, and the Himalayas. His commitment to spirituality was so intense that his body became emaciated, with his flesh, skin, and muscles drying out and merging with his bones.

Pleased with his dedication, Lord Brahma appeared to Shesh Naga and offered him anything he desired. The great snake sought something that would help keep his mind focused, enabling him to continue his strict spiritual practices for a long time. Lord Brahma agreed and granted his request.

Then, Lord Brahma asked Shesh Naga for a favor: to go under the Earth and keep it steady. Excited to take on this new role, he descended to the underworld, lifted his hood, and placed the Earth on it. It is said that even now, he holds the Earth up with his hood, making the underworld his permanent home.

Thus, Ananta Shesh became the entity holding up the Earth and the great serpent in the cosmic waters, where Lord Vishnu takes rests between creating the universe. It is believed that Lord Vishnu dreams of the universe while resting on Shesh Naga. The immense serpent also aided Lord Vishnu when he incarnated as a boar by holding one of his feet as he emerged from the water.

The Sanskrit word ‘Shesh,’ especially in texts about mathematics, means ‘Remainder’ – what’s left when everything else is gone. He is sometimes called ‘Ananta Shesh,’ meaning ‘Endless Shesh’ or ‘Eternal Shesh,’ signifying his eternal nature. This is because Shesh remains through all the great floods, each marking significant periods of time and ages that have passed.

In Vishnu Purana Shesh Naga is known as ‘Sankarshana’ – he who represents Lord Narayana’s dark energy.

Time and creation in the universe begin when Shesh Naga stretches out, and when he curls up, time stops, and the universe vanishes.

He resides deep within the underworld, among many serpents adorned with gemstones, where he is revered as a king. Shesh Naga existed even before the universe was created. As the end of the universe approaches, he creates 11 Rudras to destroy it, allowing a new one to emerge.

In the early phase of the universe, he transforms into Garbhodakshayi-Vishnu to bring Lord Brahma into existence, demonstrating that Lord Sankarshana is truly Lord Narayana. It’s mentioned in the Puranas that Lord Sankarshana shared the teachings of the Bhagavata with the Four Kumaras, who then passed this knowledge to sage Maitreya, and he, in turn, shared it with Vidura.

Shesh Naga is usually depicted as a massive snake floating in space or on the cosmic ocean, forming the resting place for Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Sometimes he appears with various numbers of heads, from five to a million, often adorned with crowns.

He also serves as a bed for Lord Vishnu atop the ocean of change, earning him names like AdiShesh (the first of snakes) and Ananta (endless), as he exists even after the universe ends.

Thus, Shesh Naga plays a crucial role in Hindu philosophy as the cosmic serpent.

Throughout the ages, Shesh Naga took four avatars. In the Satya Yuga, he appeared in his true form to support Lord Narasimha, who came to save his devotee Prahlada. In the Treta Yuga, he was born as Lakshmana, brother to Lord Rama. In the Dwapara Yuga, he became Balarama, brother to Lord Krishna. And, in the Kali Yuga, he incarnated as Patanjali Maharishi and Ramanujacharya, spreading devotion on his own without Lord Vishnu.

The city of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala is named in his honor, meaning ‘The Sacred City of Anantha’.