00:11Naga is a semi-divine serpentine deity from Hindu or Buddhist mythology. The name, Naga,
00:19is a Sanskrit word, which means serpent, or snake. Nagas are a strong and a magnificent race of half
00:27human, half-serpent beings, that can appear in three distinct forms, as holy humans with snakes on
00:35their head and neck, as regular serpents, or as half-human half-snake beings. A female Naga is
00:43called Nagini, Nagin, or Nagi. Naginas, a serpent princesses of striking beauty. So great is their
00:53beauty that they say it enchants any mortal who beholds them. The Nagas, are believed to reside
01:00in an enchanted underworld realm called, Nagaloka, or Partala. A realm which is beautifully decorated
01:08and filled with gems, gold and other earthly treasures. This underground realm is presided
01:15over, by a great Naga lord called, Nagaraja. Nagaraja is seen as the king of Nagas and Naginas. In the
01:25myths,
01:25the initial domain of the Nagas, was the earth, before it became the underworld realm of Nagaloka.
01:33It is said that the Hindu god, Brahma, translocated the Nagas to the underworld, because they had become
01:40too populous on earth, and commanded them to bite only the truly evil or those destined to die
01:47prematurely. Some Nagas remained on earth, and are often associated with bodies of waters, including
01:55rivers, lakes, seas, and wells, and are guardians of treasure. Now, Nagas, although powerful, have an
02:04arch-enemy, which they greatly fear. Their eternal mortal enemies are, the Garudas. Garudas are legendary
02:13semi-divine bird-like deities, supposedly more powerful than Nagas. In quite a number of traditions,
02:21Nagas and Naginas, are seen as dark, mischievous and malevolent creatures, which are never up to any
02:28good. Their powerful nature and venom, made them potentially dangerous to humans. However,
02:36in Hinduism and Buddhism, Nagas are often seen as benevolent and protective beings, who often played
02:42protagonistic roles, and performed heroic deeds. In Hinduism, there are three notable Nagas.
02:511. Shisha, also known as Ananta, who in the Hindu myth of creation, supports Vishnu, as he lies on the
02:59cosmic ocean, and on whom the created world rests. 2. Vasuki, an Agaraja who abides on Shiva's neck,
03:09and was used as a churning rope to churn the cosmic ocean of milk.
03:133. Takshaka, the tribal chief of the snakes. In Buddhism, the Naga is sometimes portrayed as
03:22a human being with a snake or dragon extending over his head. There, Nagas are often represented
03:29as door guardians or, in Tibet, as minor deities. Just like Hinduism, the Buddhist mythology recognizes two
03:39great Nagas, namely, King Mukulinda, and, Nagaraja. The Naga King Mukulinda, sheltered the Buddha from
03:49rainstorm, for seven whole days, while the Buddha was deep in meditation. Mukulinda, is now popularly
03:56known as the legendary Naga of Cambodia. There was another story, where one eight-year-old Naga,
04:04the daughter of a dragon king, after listening to a monk breach the Lotus Sutra, transforms into a male
04:11bodhisattva and immediately reaches full enlightenment. This particular tale, emphasizes the viewpoint in
04:20Mahayana scriptures, that only a male body is required for Buddhahood.
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