Sheshnag is considered the servant of Lord Vishnu. In many pictures Lord Vishnu is seen lying on Sheshnag. He is the first and most mighty son of Mata Kadru. Anantnag district of Kashmir is considered their stronghold.
Snakes are considered worshipable in Hinduism. They are worshiped as deities. The festival of Nag Panchami dedicated to snakes is also celebrated with great pomp. This year this festival is falling on 21 August. There is a ritual of worshiping snakes on this day. Nag Panchami falls every year on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha of Shravan month. Many people also keep fast on this day. Ashtanagas are worshiped on the day of Nag Panchami. In these Ashtanagas, Anant Nag, Vasuki Nag, Padma Nag, Mahapadma Nag, Takshak Nag, Kulir Nag, Karkat Nag, Shankha Nag, Kalia Nag and Pingal Nag.
The most important of these Ashtanags is Anant Nag, which is known as Sheshnag. It is believed that because of his thousand heads, he is also known by the name Anant. It is also said about him that he has carried the burden of the earth on his hood. Let us know today who is Sheshnag and why it is the most important of all snakes-
Origin of snakes from Goddess Kadru
There are many beliefs about Sheshnag in Hinduism. Somewhere in the scriptures, there is a description of her becoming the bed of Lord Vishnu, and somewhere she incarnated with him. Let's understand all these things from the beginning. Prajapati Kashyap, the manas son of Brahma ji, had two wives, Kadru and Vinita. Snakes originated from Kadru and birds from Vinita. It is believed that Goddess Kadru wished to have one thousand snakes as sons. Among them, the son whom he gave birth to first, his name is Sheshnag. Sheshnag is the eldest and most mighty son of Devi Kadru. Anantnag district of Kashmir is considered their stronghold. Due to giving birth to thousand snakes, Goddess Kadru is also known as Naga Mata.
Lord Brahma made him the king of Hades
According to scriptures, Sheshnag's mother Kadru had cheated her stepmother Vinita out of jealousy. This hurt Sheshnag a lot and he became disillusioned with Samsar, after which he decided to do penance on Gandhamadan mountain. Brahma ji was so pleased with his penance that he made him the king of Hades. However, later he decided to become a servant of Lord Vishnu, after which he went under the earth i.e. Jalloka. After him, his younger brother Vasuki was made the king of Hades. In the same way, the process continued and after Vasuki, Takshak and Pingla became the kings of Patal Lok. Later, after reaching Kshirsagar, Sheshnag served Lord Vishnu as a bed. Even today Sheshnag is known as the servant of Lord Vishnu. Even in the pictures, Lord Vishnu is seen lying on Sheshnag.
Many incarnations taken with Lord Vishnu
It is believed that Sheshnag took many incarnations along with Lord Vishnu. In Tretayuga, where he incarnated as Lakshmana, the younger brother of Rama, in Dwaparyuga, he became Balram, the brother of Shri Krishna. There are many beliefs about taking the burden of the earth on one's shoulders. There is a belief that once Lord Vishnu told Sheshnag that the earth always keeps on shaking. In such a situation, wear it on your hood in such a way that it becomes stable. It is believed that since then Sheshnag has been carrying the burden of the earth on its hood.
According to a legend, Lord Brahma was very pleased with the penance of Sheshnag on Mount Gamdhamadan and gave a boon that his intellect would remain stable. Along with this, he had also said that the earth has always been shaking, so wear it on your hood.
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