Naga

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Digital Devil SagaDragon race
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[edit] About

The nagas are a race of beings in Hindu mythology that are described as large snakes, usually with human-like characteristics. Higher classes of naga are known as the Great Naga Kings or Raja Naga and include prominent Hindu figures such as Vasuki and Shesha.

In the Hindu epic Mahabharata the nagas are the children of Kadru and depicted largely in the negative. After they enslave Garuda's mother Vinata, they force him to fetch for them elixir of immortality known as amrita in exchange for her freedom. Garuda does so, but the elixir is snatched back by Indra before they can use it. From that point on, Garuda becomes the sworn enemy and predator of the naga race.

In modern Hinduism, the nagas are considered spirits of nature and protect rivers and springs. They bring the rain which brings new life, but will also bring flood or drought if they have been mistreated.

In Buddhism the nagas are seen as a large, intelligent race of serpents or dragons and are among the lesser deities that inhabit Mount Sumeru, although some also live in rivers or oceans. It is said that the ones on Mount Sumeru protect the devas from the attack of the asuras. They are also the rivals of the garudas, a race of intelligent, carnivorous birds.

There were eight Great Naga Kings in Buddhism who were always present at the sermons of Buddha. They were in charge of honouring and worshiping Buddha among the nagas and protecting other enlightened beings from danger.

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