Naga: Encyclopedia - Naga

Naga

Naga - Nagas in mythology

In India there is an ancient belief in a subterranean race of divine serpent people who dwell in a patalas or palaces in the underground city of Bhogavati. The word Naga comes from the Sanskrit, and "nag" is still the word for snake in most of the languages of India. They are considered nature spirits and the protectors of springs, wells and rivers. They bring rain, and thus fertility, but are also thought to bring disasters such as floods and drought. Since Nagas have an affinity with water, the entrances to their underground palaces are often said to be hidden at the bottom of wells, deep lakes and rivers. Varuna, the Vedic god of storms, is viewed as the King of the Nagas.

According to some traditions Nagas are only malevolent to humans when they have been mistreated. They are susceptible to mankind's disrespectful actions in relation to the environment.

The Nagas also carry the elixir of life and immortality. One story mentions that when the gods were rationing out the elixir of immortality, the Nagas grabbed a cup. The gods were able to retrieve the cup, but in doing so, spilled a few drops on the ground. The Nagas quickly licked up the drops, but in doing so, cut their tongues on the grass, & since then their tongues have been forked.

Naga - Naga

The word Naga can refer to several different things.

• In mythology, the Nagas are a race of supernatural beings, usually depicted with both snake and human attributes which inspired modern interpretations:
  • In modern fantasy fiction, members of any race with both snake and human characteristics may be called nagas.
  • A species of monster from the Monster Rancher video games.
• The Naga are a fictional race in the Warcraft Universe.
• Naga is a district in Mie, Japan
• Naga, Wakayama is a town in that district.
• The Naga are an ethnic group of people living in Nagaland and Manipur state in the north-eastern part of India.
• Naga could also mean elephant in Sanskrit or Pali, as in the Naga Sutta.
• Naga means snake (also refers to a mythical race of snake-people) in Sanskrit and in many languages derived from it.
• Philippines
  • Naga City, Camarines Sur
  • Naga, Cebu
  • Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay
• Naga is the Malay word for dragon
• A character in the Slayers series is named Naga the Serpent.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Naga", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki