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The snake above Vishnu's head
- Thread starter Sirona
- Start date
Well, depending on who you talk to, he is:
- A servant of God
- A manifestation of God
- A key component in creation.
- The vehicle of Vishnu while resting in Vaikunta (his other being Garuda)
- The source of other manifestations, such as Laxman and Ramanuja.
To me, at least as far as I can tell in my studies, he's primarily the1st, 3rd, and 5th.
- A servant of God
- A manifestation of God
- A key component in creation.
- The vehicle of Vishnu while resting in Vaikunta (his other being Garuda)
- The source of other manifestations, such as Laxman and Ramanuja.
To me, at least as far as I can tell in my studies, he's primarily the1st, 3rd, and 5th.
YmirGF
Bodhisattva in Recovery
With respect, this is a pretty easy one to investigate. Google is your friend, well, when they aren't analyzing every thought that you think.
Shesha - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It certainly brings back fond memories of the things I have seen.
Sirona
Hindu Wannabe
With respect, this is a pretty easy one to investigate. Google is your friend, well, when they aren't analyzing every thought that you think.
Shesha - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It certainly brings back fond memories of the things I have seen.
I've read the article. At first I didn't want to bring it up because it might be in the wrong context but I read in a book about Shiva that snakes may represent the basic instincts and that Vishnu is "resting" on the snake because he is above those "instincts". As said before, I don't know whether that's applicable here but that's why I pose the question here in the forum.
YmirGF
Bodhisattva in Recovery
I'm now too divorced from Vaisnava and Hindu thought to give an answer that would not upset some. I'll let some of the practicing Hindu members answer this for you.
ratikala
Istha gosthi
jai jai , Adi sesa is the support and the shelter of the Supreme , ....you see him also spread his hood above the head of the meditating Buddha , he is also balaram the Brother of Krsna , and Nityananda in Chaitanya lila , ...he is intruth as inseperable from the lord as Laksmidevi , ...as they are one .
Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
I would not get angry at the suggestion but nor I will go with it. But one interpretation always intrigues me. 'Shesha' literally is the 'remainder' - is it what remains after dissolution (that which remains when all else ceases to exist - Wikipedia) and the Lord rests over that? I like the cosmological explanation better than the psychological explanation.
In case of Shiva, it is 'Vasuki'.
You can think what you want about Lord Sheshanaga, Who is Divine. And this will not help much, with explaining the “Snake” over Vishnu’s Head. I might say, there is a “rain” in the “universe” – the Hoods when held over the Divine, be it Vishnu, Shiva, Buddha and so on, protect something near the Divine. Not the Divine Themselves, there is no need for that. But, for example, on the chest of Vishnu is something that represents Lakshmi. So this “rain” will not fall on Sri Vatsa.
Never mind that… It is time to go slightly “off topic” - here is the “Village Hindu” perspective on how you can apply the Divinity of Anantashesha very quickly, this perspective is not about “defining” Lord Shesha, but “befriending” Him. So, it is funny this subject came up, though I am not giving an explanation of the Divinity, I was coincidently thinking of searching for the “Seven Hooded Murti”. Yes, strictly for personal “gain” this thought in my mind, but the mind also has “many hoods”, someone at my level can only, typically, manage seven. I first heard about this Murti, from a Hindu priest who was once a pujari in a temple in Sri Lanka (Kandy). I never was there, I met this pujari in America. He is now dead. I want to find this murti, now that I think about it. But I have not found that Murti, yet.
But I will.
So that I can engage in my own “recommendation”. Which is:
It is a good idea to worship Sheshanag in a murti form with Seven Hoods.
Each individual Hood should be worshiped.
This worship is associated with both Vishnu and Shiva. In relation to Shiva, the Seven Mukhi (faced) Rudraksha bead is known as Ananta Sheshanag, Who is the King of the Serpents. Each face or hood actually represents one of the following Great Nagas:
Anantha
Karkataka
Takshak
Shankhanad
Pundarika
Visholban
Karisha
Now how is this so? Because in each Serpent Hood in this murti to be worshiped is one of the Saptarishi or Seven Great Sages. This Murti, which is rare to find, is also associated with Shani Dev or Saturn. That is the planet which resides “invisibly” just over the heads. Actually, all the “universe” is over these hoods, but it is said Shani Dev “walks” like a raven, “cock wise” in an odd strut sort of “S” shaped and not straight, as when you see the Raven land onto the ground and walk. So this is the nature of the world sometimes. We expect it to go in a “straight line”, but often, even more common, it does not. But by the help of the seven sages, and Sheshanag, even as the “crow strides” you will be steady “within”. You will “rest” even as it goes hither and nether. From Ananta Shesh, there comes a “bioelectricity” inside, that allows one to “surf the walk of the raven” or surf the “hither and nether”. This “electricity” is part of the “serpent power” entry via tirtha. Once you have done this for a while, they say then you may obtain a Nine Hooded Murti and worship that, where the nine hoods represent the Nine Nagas known as:
Ananta
Vasuki
Shesha
Padmanabh
Kambal
Shankhapal
Dhrutrashtra
Takshaka
Kalia
So you see, the hoods are “expanding”, more hoods coming. For Shehanaga has so many hoods, you cannot count. But how many you see, varies with each soul. There are mantras that can help, and one specific to the Nine Hooded Murti.
Never mind that… It is time to go slightly “off topic” - here is the “Village Hindu” perspective on how you can apply the Divinity of Anantashesha very quickly, this perspective is not about “defining” Lord Shesha, but “befriending” Him. So, it is funny this subject came up, though I am not giving an explanation of the Divinity, I was coincidently thinking of searching for the “Seven Hooded Murti”. Yes, strictly for personal “gain” this thought in my mind, but the mind also has “many hoods”, someone at my level can only, typically, manage seven. I first heard about this Murti, from a Hindu priest who was once a pujari in a temple in Sri Lanka (Kandy). I never was there, I met this pujari in America. He is now dead. I want to find this murti, now that I think about it. But I have not found that Murti, yet.
But I will.
So that I can engage in my own “recommendation”. Which is:
It is a good idea to worship Sheshanag in a murti form with Seven Hoods.
Each individual Hood should be worshiped.
This worship is associated with both Vishnu and Shiva. In relation to Shiva, the Seven Mukhi (faced) Rudraksha bead is known as Ananta Sheshanag, Who is the King of the Serpents. Each face or hood actually represents one of the following Great Nagas:
Anantha
Karkataka
Takshak
Shankhanad
Pundarika
Visholban
Karisha
Now how is this so? Because in each Serpent Hood in this murti to be worshiped is one of the Saptarishi or Seven Great Sages. This Murti, which is rare to find, is also associated with Shani Dev or Saturn. That is the planet which resides “invisibly” just over the heads. Actually, all the “universe” is over these hoods, but it is said Shani Dev “walks” like a raven, “cock wise” in an odd strut sort of “S” shaped and not straight, as when you see the Raven land onto the ground and walk. So this is the nature of the world sometimes. We expect it to go in a “straight line”, but often, even more common, it does not. But by the help of the seven sages, and Sheshanag, even as the “crow strides” you will be steady “within”. You will “rest” even as it goes hither and nether. From Ananta Shesh, there comes a “bioelectricity” inside, that allows one to “surf the walk of the raven” or surf the “hither and nether”. This “electricity” is part of the “serpent power” entry via tirtha. Once you have done this for a while, they say then you may obtain a Nine Hooded Murti and worship that, where the nine hoods represent the Nine Nagas known as:
Ananta
Vasuki
Shesha
Padmanabh
Kambal
Shankhapal
Dhrutrashtra
Takshaka
Kalia
So you see, the hoods are “expanding”, more hoods coming. For Shehanaga has so many hoods, you cannot count. But how many you see, varies with each soul. There are mantras that can help, and one specific to the Nine Hooded Murti.
Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
Angkor Shesha
Naga Mantras:
"Anantam, Vāsukim, Shesham, Padmanābham ca Kambalam; Shankhapālam dhārtarāshtram Takshakam, Kāliyam tathā;
Etāni navanāmāni nāgānām ca mahātmanām; Sāyamkāle pathennityam prātahkāle visheshatah."
(Ananta, Vāsuki, Shesha, Padmanābha and Kambala; Shankhapāla, Dhārtarāshtra, Takshaka and Kāliya.
These nine names of great soul Nāgās, one should remember specially in morning and evening)
"Sarve nāgāh priyantām me ye kechit prithivitale, ye ca helimarichistha yentare divi samsthitah.
Ye nadishu mahānāgā ye Saraswatigāminah, ye ca vāpitadāgeshu sarveshu vai namah."
(All the Nāgās who live on earth, in sky, in the rays of the sun, rivers, ponds, step wells, wells and lakes, may they bless us. We bow to them.)
Nāga Gāyatri Mantras:
"Bhujangeshāya vidmahe, sarparājāya dhimahi, tanno nāgah pracodayāt."
"Nav kulāya vidhmahe, vishdantāya dhimahi, Tanno sarpa prachodayāt."
Naga Mantras:
"Anantam, Vāsukim, Shesham, Padmanābham ca Kambalam; Shankhapālam dhārtarāshtram Takshakam, Kāliyam tathā;
Etāni navanāmāni nāgānām ca mahātmanām; Sāyamkāle pathennityam prātahkāle visheshatah."
(Ananta, Vāsuki, Shesha, Padmanābha and Kambala; Shankhapāla, Dhārtarāshtra, Takshaka and Kāliya.
These nine names of great soul Nāgās, one should remember specially in morning and evening)
"Sarve nāgāh priyantām me ye kechit prithivitale, ye ca helimarichistha yentare divi samsthitah.
Ye nadishu mahānāgā ye Saraswatigāminah, ye ca vāpitadāgeshu sarveshu vai namah."
(All the Nāgās who live on earth, in sky, in the rays of the sun, rivers, ponds, step wells, wells and lakes, may they bless us. We bow to them.)
Nāga Gāyatri Mantras:
"Bhujangeshāya vidmahe, sarparājāya dhimahi, tanno nāgah pracodayāt."
"Nav kulāya vidhmahe, vishdantāya dhimahi, Tanno sarpa prachodayāt."
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Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
Atharva Veda, VI, 12. Charm against snake-poison.
"1. As the sun (goes around) the heavens I have surrounded the race of the serpents. As night (puts to rest) all animals except the hamsa bird, (thus) do I with this (charm) ward off thy poison.
2. With (the charm) that was found of yore by the Brahmans, found by the Rishis, and found by the gods, with (the charm) that was, will be, and is now present, with this do I ward off thy poison.
3. With honey do I mix the rivers; the mountains and peaks are honey. Honey are the rivers Parushnî and Sîpalâ. Prosperity be to thy mouth, prosperity to thy heart!"
The shortest charm against snakes at Atharva Veda: I. Charms to Cure Diseases and Possession by Demons of Disease (Bhaishagykni): VI, 12. Charm against snake-poison
"1. As the sun (goes around) the heavens I have surrounded the race of the serpents. As night (puts to rest) all animals except the hamsa bird, (thus) do I with this (charm) ward off thy poison.
2. With (the charm) that was found of yore by the Brahmans, found by the Rishis, and found by the gods, with (the charm) that was, will be, and is now present, with this do I ward off thy poison.
3. With honey do I mix the rivers; the mountains and peaks are honey. Honey are the rivers Parushnî and Sîpalâ. Prosperity be to thy mouth, prosperity to thy heart!"
The shortest charm against snakes at Atharva Veda: I. Charms to Cure Diseases and Possession by Demons of Disease (Bhaishagykni): VI, 12. Charm against snake-poison
spiritualhitchhiker
neti, neti, neti
No snakes are not considered good because of that, I don't know where you heard this, in fact rats are considered good because they are the vehicle of Ganapati. Snakes are considered good because they are seen as servants of GOD, like Vishnu and Shiva.
Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
All animals are important for some reason or the other for Hindus. Mice are important because of Ganesha, then why should snakes be considered bad when they serve the greatest of Gods, Vishnu and Shiva? Actually 'Naga-Panchami' (this year on 19th August) is an important festival for us and celebrated all over India (they try to feed the snakes milk which I find very funny). They are called Nag Devta - snake God. Nobody killed snakes in olden days, even today people will allow them to go away quietly. Snakes are part of Indian life. Many of the ancient Indian royal lineages considered Naga (snakes) to be their ancestors (Naga Vamsha - Nagavanshi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Naga Kingdom - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
See more at nag panchami 2015 - Google Search
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Here is a murti of Krishna dancing on the Cobra - notice the "Chinese" like eyes, this murti actually comes from the island of Bali and is a wood carving.
I have seen many Lingams in India which have the cobra single, seven, nine or eleven hoods umbrella like over the Lingam.
I am still looking for my seven hooded Ananta murti, I found several Cambodian Khmer style, but I am looking for Nepalese or Indian style.
In ancient Egypt there was known of special "cobra headed staffs" which had some sort of powers if touched to water.
In the olden days, "Westerners" considered seeing the cobra as confirmation you have entered the "oriental" land of Buddha.
In one way, the cobra is identified as India Herself. The King Cobra, or any Ananta image. I have seen a devotee put a flower on the head of a cobra in India as an act of devotion. When I see a cobra, I think of Bharat. It is almost like Ananta is the guardian of Hinduism in some manner.
I have seen many Lingams in India which have the cobra single, seven, nine or eleven hoods umbrella like over the Lingam.
I am still looking for my seven hooded Ananta murti, I found several Cambodian Khmer style, but I am looking for Nepalese or Indian style.
In ancient Egypt there was known of special "cobra headed staffs" which had some sort of powers if touched to water.
In the olden days, "Westerners" considered seeing the cobra as confirmation you have entered the "oriental" land of Buddha.
In one way, the cobra is identified as India Herself. The King Cobra, or any Ananta image. I have seen a devotee put a flower on the head of a cobra in India as an act of devotion. When I see a cobra, I think of Bharat. It is almost like Ananta is the guardian of Hinduism in some manner.
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Shh,
"left and right" is a reference meaning you should restrict yourself to the political debates forum or the religious debates forum and not the Hinduism DIR, you are not contributing anything here but insults to Hindu members, pointless and very odd insults, and antagonism. You are not fit for this DIR format.
"left and right" is a reference meaning you should restrict yourself to the political debates forum or the religious debates forum and not the Hinduism DIR, you are not contributing anything here but insults to Hindu members, pointless and very odd insults, and antagonism. You are not fit for this DIR format.
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Wannabe Yogi..
Member
Just an interesting side to this thread. I my travels in India. I meet a family in India who had a Naga (cobra) living in a bayon tree. Right inside there family compound. They said this cobra lived there many generations. They made offerings to this cobra of eggs in milk. They also said it has been seen eating the eggs. This cobra has never bothered any body in the family or neighbors in all those years. I saw children playing in the area. I saw the offerings but unfortunately no snake.
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spiritualhitchhiker
neti, neti, neti
That is what I said.
Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
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Cats?
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@Sirona My reply a little bit weird
For me, Balaram is Shesha or Shesha is Balarama. Balarama is representation of Jiva. Once Shri krishna told Balarama that he is not different from him, to the world only, you are different from me. This jiva is in eternal service with Vishnu. Profoundly, it means Jiva was never separate from vishnu.
For me, Balaram is Shesha or Shesha is Balarama. Balarama is representation of Jiva. Once Shri krishna told Balarama that he is not different from him, to the world only, you are different from me. This jiva is in eternal service with Vishnu. Profoundly, it means Jiva was never separate from vishnu.
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ratikala
Istha gosthi
namaskaram spiritualhitchhiker ji
now now this is not nice behavoir , ...if you find something lacking then pleas give a good answer your self
no need to criticise others
please make an effort to read other peoples posts more carefully then you will often see some interesting conections
yes Guru is very important , but there is no reason Sirona ji canor ask such questions amongst Hindu brothers and sisters please do not forget that when one is young the first Guru is the mother infact any one who nurtures you should be seen as Guru , ....
now now this is not nice behavoir , ...if you find something lacking then pleas give a good answer your self
no need to criticise others
please make an effort to read other peoples posts more carefully then you will often see some interesting conections
yes Guru is very important , but there is no reason Sirona ji canor ask such questions amongst Hindu brothers and sisters please do not forget that when one is young the first Guru is the mother infact any one who nurtures you should be seen as Guru , ....