Hinduism Visual Essay by David Benjamin

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Adishesha (Shesha) the Serpentine Demigod

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Shesha is said to hold all of the planets of the universe on his hoods

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In many depictions, Vishu is seen resting on shesha such as seen here.

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Adishesha means "He who remains", because even if the world is destroyed Shesha remains

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Adishesha was the eldest among and the first king of Nagas (serpents)

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Vasuki, one of Shesha's brothers

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Iravati, Shesha's sister

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Takshaka, one of Shesha's brothers

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The sage Kashyapa, Shesha's father

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Many of Shesha's brothers were cruel, wanting to inflict harm on others.

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Kadru, mother of Shesha

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Shesha was disgusted by the acts of his brothers and mother, causing him to leave to seek penance to attain a higher state of mental awareness

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During Shesha's departure, he would go to many places such as the Himalayas, Badarikashrama, among others to meditate.

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Shesha gave up on his life during his journey, and completely stopped eating. This caused his flesh, skin, and muscles to be dried up.

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Brahma meets and consoles Shesha, asking Shesha to ask him for a favor

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Shesha asked only to be able to keep his mind under control, so he could continue to seek penance. Brahma accepts.

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After granting Shesha's favor, Brahma asks for his own favor. The newly created had massive earthquakes, and wasn't stable. Brahma asked Shesha to support the Earth with his thousand hoods.

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Shesha accepts. going beneath the earth to stabilize it.

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It is also said that Shesha went to stabilize Bhumi, the Earth Goddess, where he continues to support her to this day

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Vinata, Kadru's sister

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Both Kadru and Vinata were jealous of each other, and made a bet about Uchaishravas, the divine horse. Kadru cheated in this bet, then enslaved Vinata per the terms of the bet.

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In the Bhagavata Purana, Shesha is named Sankarshana, living in the deep layers of Patala ruling over many serpents

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When the universe is towards its end, Sankarshana, Shesha, creates 11 Rudras from the serpents to destroy the universe to create a new one.

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Nagalakshmi, according to legend to be Shesha's wife

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Shesha is also said to be the bed upon which Vishnu lies in the primordial waters, also called the "milky ocean".

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According to legend, these snake boats were designed by Lord Krishna to look like Shesha.

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Heads of Shesha at the Kerala Folklore Museum

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It is said that praying to Shesha will bring peace and serenity and improve health and wellbeing.

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Praying to Shesha is also said to bring good luck and prosperity

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There are many other figures believed to be incarnations of Shesha, like Patanjali Maharshi and Ramanujacharya