Last Update: 14 October 2002
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Nagas
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Region: Pakistan, India, Hindu
Time Period:
References in Literature: None
Sources: entirely too many to name

Notes:
  • Characterized by a snake-body, human head, and the ability to change between the two. They are wingless. Malaysian sailors say they are huge and have many heads.
  • They are not considered to be particularly dangerous in general, although some believe they are destined to destroy the world with fire.
  • May live in the underwater kingdom of Patala in the city of Bhogavati
  • Patrons of the clouds and water, and worshipped for fertility in southern India
  • Could make men invisible under the waves and would give the favored drink, soma, to make them strong.
  • Burmese nagas give rubies to their favourites and protect royalty.
  • Nagas could understand birds and would give charms to the humans so that they, too, could understand. "In European and Arabian stories, folk heroes acquire the language of birds, or of all animals, after eating the hearts of dragons. A Naga king causes an Indian king to understand what animals say" (Source: China and Japan, pg 73)

  • Some sources claim there are exactly 1000 of them, and their king was Ananta-Shesha with between 7 and 1000 heads. Others say the King's name was Bhuridatta, who became Buddha.

There are 4 classes depending on function:
  • Heavenly/Celestial: guards and holds up heaven
  • Divine: rain
  • Earthly: rivers
  • Hidden: treasures underground
Nagas by name: Illiana breaks down the following for us:
  • Youngest: Wind, Storm and Weather
  • Middle: Water
  • Oldest: Spirit and Creation that teach wisdom
Tale 1:

Originates from the Naga Apala god in Pakistan that would keep dragons away in exchange for gifts from the locals. Eventually, they forgot his tribute and he turned into a deadly dragon and plagued the people himself.

Tale 2:

One story says that a man tried to exorcise a naga by circling it with fire. But the naga climbed into the man's pitcher of water after changing himself into a small snake.

Tale 3:

There is one tale about the asoka tree and how the magician came for the Naga King Paravataksha's sword but was defeated by a nymph and died from a broken heart.

Related Tales: Further Reading:

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