Saturday, October 16, 2010

Story 13 - Sheshnaag

This is the story of Sheshnaag, the most supreme son of Kadru, and how he was given a boon.

Kadru had 1000 snakes as her sons and she had cursed some of them when they had refused to comply with her wishes to wrap themselves round the tail of the celestial horse Uchchashrava to deceive their stepmother Vinta. Now the snakes were really worried about the consequence of the curse. One of the sons of Kadru was Sheshnaag who was tired of the wily and evil deeds of his other brothers. He left his mother and brothers and started strict penances. With only air as his means of nourishment, he observed deep meditation and tapas. Controlling his senses, he toured the various spiritual sites in the Himalyas.

When Lord Brahma noticed Sheshnag’s body was emancipated and he was wasting away due to tapas, he appeared before the snake and asked, “Shesh! Why are you observing such strict penance? Why are you subjecting your body to such hardships? Why do you not do something to help the mankind? Tell me, what do you desire?”

Shesh replied, “My Lord! My brothers are fools and I do not want to stay with them. They keep fighting with each other and have made the lives of Vinta and her son Garuda miserable. After all, Garuda is our brother and they should not be so cruel to him. Tired of them, I have left them and have started to do penances so that I can leave this body and free myself from those miserable creatures. I am only troubled when I think that even after death I would have to suffer their company.”

Brahma replied, “Shesh! Your brothers' deeds are not hidden from me. By defying your mother, they have brought trouble over their heads. I have also thought of a suitable punishment for them. Do not bother about them. Ask me what you desire. I am very pleased by you because your mind is set in the right dharma and would like to grant you a boon.”

Shesh requested, “O Father of the world! I only wish that my mind is always used for the pursuit of goodness, spirituality, and peace.”

Brahma, delighted at these words, replied, “Shesh! I am pleased by your control over your desires and heart. I would like to ask you to do something for the mankind. The Earth, with her mountains, forests, oceans, and lands, is not stable and shakes a lot. I want you to hold her so that it stabilizes.”

Sheshnaag told Brahma that he would do as he was asked and would wear the earth on his head and stabilize her. Brahma instructed to him, “Shesh! Earth will show you the way. You enter her.”

As instructed, Sheshnaag went through the Earth, held her from all sides and placed her on his head. From that time Sheshnaag has been still and patiently carrying the Earth on his head. Brahma praised his dharma, patience, and strength and returned to his planet.

9 comments:

  1. It would be illogical to call these stories Mythological. Firstly, the word mythology comes from the word "Mythya or Mithya" from Sanskrit which means a lie or deception.

    Hence from the beginning you are adding some thing very wrongful to begin with.

    It has been an Abrahmic poly to warp history , and people keep using the subtle manipulation which will destroy the foundations of Vedic civilization.

    Its best you become more aware of the destruction happening around you.

    Augadha

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  2. Your efforts are very appriceable.. But please be very precise and specific while using the information of our Dharam Granthas....

    So their sanity is saved..

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  3. I agree with Anonymous.
    Whatever a non-vaidika person have not understood it was counted as primitive and mystical. We, Indians have been independent for more than 70 yrs, but the best of the intellectuals, including the government of India, is still trying to use the same measuring stick of the invaders. People are bending backwards to prove how right our literature is! A billion people, do not need to prove anything to anybody. Unfortunately, the slavish mentality has not gone, as yet - dhoti may have turned into trousers, but the mind is still slavish (due respect to all)!
    That is why, read the originals with full faith, research and you will see the wisdom in what our rishis have said.Insert the references from the original literature and avoid personal opinions.
    The Vaidika literature is incomparable and unparalleled.
    keep up the good work, and thank you

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