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News India Live, Digital Desk: Sheshnag’s place in mythology is very revered and mysterious. He is not only the king of snakes but also an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu and his resting place (bed). The thousand heads of Sheshnag, known as ‘Anant’, are considered a symbol of the infinity of the universe. It is believed that the movement of Sheshnag causes earthquakes on the earth and when they move straight, the cycle of time remains in motion. But do you know that Sheshnag, who had a very peaceful and religious nature, had once abandoned his real mother and brothers?
Why did Sheshnag abandon his mother Kadru?
According to the story described in the Mahabharata and other Puranas, Maharishi Kashyap had two wives—Kadru and Vinata. Kadru gave birth to a thousand snake sons, of whom Sheshnag was the eldest. Garuda was born from Vinata there. Once Kadru defeated his own sister Vinata in a bet by deceit and made her his maid.
Sheshnag was extremely religious by nature. When he saw that his mother Kadru and his brothers (Vasuki, Takshak etc.) were doing injustice and cruelty to his own aunt Vinata, his heart was filled with guilt. He tried to stop his brothers from the path of unrighteousness, but when they did not agree, Sheshnag completely abandoned his mother and brothers instead of supporting unrighteousness. He left home and went to Gandhamadan mountain and got absorbed in the rigorous penance of Lord Brahma. Pleased with his piety, Lord Brahma gave him the power to bear the weight of the earth on his head.
4 main incarnations of Sheshnag in different eras
Sheshnag’s relationship with Lord Vishnu is so unbreakable that he incarnates in every age to serve the Lord. Let us know about his 4 major incarnations:
Lakshman (Treta Yuga): At the time of Lord Rama’s incarnation, Sheshnag took birth as his younger brother Lakshman. He did not blink his eyes even for a moment during his exile (overcoming sleep) so that he could serve Lord Rama and Mother Sita.
Balaram (Dwaparyug): At the time of Shri Krishna’s incarnation, Sheshnag appeared in the form of his elder brother Balram (Dauji). When Lord Krishna was crossing Yamuna and going to Gokul, Sheshnag had spread the umbrella of his hood over him to protect him from the torrential rain.
Maharishi Patanjali (Kaliyuga): Maharishi Patanjali, the originator of Yoga Sutra and who spread Yoga knowledge to the world, is also considered to be a part of Sheshnag.
Ramanujacharya: Ramanujacharya, the great saint and philosopher of South India, is also considered to be the incarnation of Sheshnag in Kaliyuga, who spread harmony in the society through the Bhakti movement.
Sheshnag is the basis of creation
According to the Puranas, Sheshnag maintains the balance of the universe. When Lord Vishnu is in Yoga Nidra, Sheshnag takes care of his safety and comfort. His wife Nagalakshmi also supported him in every incarnation by becoming his companion (like Balram’s wife Revati). The story of Sheshnag teaches us that even if one has to sacrifice one’s family to protect religion and justice, then it is the best.