Naga

Naga is a term in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism referring to a deity or class of entity or being, taking the form of a very large snake, found in Hindu mythology, Buddhist mythology, and Jain mythology. The use of the term nāga is often ambiguous, as the word may also refer, in similar contexts, to one of several human tribes known as or nicknamed "Nāgas"; to elephants; and to ordinary snakes, particularly the King Cobra and the Indian Cobra, the latter of which is also called Nāg in Hindi and other languages of India. A female nāga is a nāgī or nāginī.

Etymology

The word nāga (Sanskrit: नाग) is a Sanskrit word that means "snake", but also "elephant" (due to the connection between snakes and elephants in early Indian mythology) and "serpent". In the early Vedic literature, nāga is a term for a demon in the Rigveda. The nāga concept has evolved in the later Vedic and post-Vedic Hindu scriptures. For example, in the Mahabharata, nāga or nāgī is understood to mean a serpent deity or a human serpent (a tribe).

In Hinduism

In Hindu mythology, the nāga are a race of semidivine serpent beings that reside in the netherworld (Patala) and can occasionally take human form. They are often associated with bodies of waters, including rivers, lakes, seas, and wells, and are guardians of treasure. They are also associated with weather, specifically rain and fertility.

In Buddhism

In Buddhist mythology, nāga are often represented as door guardians or, in Tibet, as minor deities. The nāga king Mucalinda is said to have protected the Buddha from the elements after his enlightenment.

In Jainism

In Jainism, nāga are worldly beings, capable of giving protection to the Tirthankaras. They are also depicted as humans with snake heads.

See also

• Nāga Kingdom
• Nāga people (Lanka)
• Nāga people (Mesopotamia)
• Nāga people (Myanmar)
• Nāga people (Siem Reap)

This article is a medical stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!
Most recent articles Ongoing trials	Wikipedia