We often confuses whether Nagas are Serpants or Human beings. Some people argue that Nagas are Serpents who are capable of taking human forms. If this is true then Snakes had kingdoms and Kings then. If Snakes had their Kingdom then Where it is? What it would be called? Who was their king? How would be their Kingdom?
Before exploring the Naga kingdom, the
purpose of article is only to describe the Naga kingdom based on Mahabaratha.
The Mahabaratha describes Nagas cities and their relationships with Human beings.
The Nagas—Serpents or Human beings?
The Nagas are a race of serpent beings. They can change their
body shapes. They convert themselves into human beings, half-serpent bodies,
often beautiful maidens. They possess supernatural powers. A precious gem is
embedded on their head. The power of Nagas is that gem which can help them in
gaining supernatural powers.
Bhagavatha Purana 9.22.32 mentions” Arjuna, the son of King Pandu, was "abducted" by Ulupi, the Naga princess who enamored him, into the parallel realm in the river Ganges near Hardwar. After spending a night with her and begetting a son called Iravan, he returned back.” On account of this line it can be noted that Nagas mentioned in Mahabaratha were Human beings.
Traits Of Naga Kingdom In Mahabaratha
The Mahabaratha describes cities of
Nagas –“…beheld the region of the serpents infinite in extent, filled with
hundred of places and elegant mansions with turrets and domes and gateways,
abounding with wonderful places for various games and entertainments.”(Adi
Parva section 3)The Phrases in Mahabaratha were limned about Naga kingdom as a beautiful place. They have all facilities as other kingdoms have like doms, games and entertainments.
The Naga kingdom has many beautiful cities. One of the main Naga cities was Bhogvathi, which literary means Pleasure. This indicates that Nagas had a luxurious life. The beauty of Bhogvathis city is also mentioned in Mahabaratha. This city was compared with Khandavaprastha which was built by Pandavas.
“…the foremost of the cities looked resplendent like Bhogvati (the capital of nether kingdom) decked with the Nagas” (Adi Parva Section CCIX). According to some researchers Naga kingdom can be situated around the River Ganga. They are described as fair skinned people.
Were Nagas Humans?
According to Hindu Mythology Takshika was
the ruler of Nagas. He took Kauravs side during Kurukshetra war. The reason is
to take revenge on Arjuna. Arujan accompanied with Krishna burnt the Khandava
Prastha due to which numerous snakes were dead. During that event Takshika the
Nagas king is living in forest. He however, escaped from fire with the help of
his great friend Indra. But the burning of the forest had filled Takshaka and
his snake accomplices with an immense desire for vengeance.
If Nagas were people and if they have kingdom then why did Takshika lives in Khandava Prastha forest and how can Arjuna burnt forest knowing there were numerous people in forest. So Nagas might be snakes. But there are numerous examples in Mahabharata where an Aryan marries a Naga. Ulupi was a naga princess married by Arjuna. Similarly Astika, an Arya Rishi was born to a Naga woman Mansa, the sister of Vasuki. If we are to believe that Nagas were indeed serpents then we also have to be believe that bestiality was practiced during the time of Mahabharata.
However, in some phrases the Mahabaratha describes Nagas as snakes. The description given in Mahabaratha is even confusing to find out whether Nagas are snakes or human beings.
The mere description given in Mahabaratha may not be sufficient to the conclusive finding about Nagas. It needs an extensive research. The hypothesis that I presented in articles needs to be corroborated by other resources. But i believe that this attempt makes some others to explore the truth.
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