What is the difference between Naaga and Sarpa ? as Brahma nominated Vaasuki as Adhipati of Nagas and Takshaka as Adhipati of Sarpas.

in Linga Purana (Poorva Bhaga- Chapter 58, Lord Brahma nominated Vaasuki as Adhipati of Nagas and Takshaka as Adhipati of Sarpas. some believe one is good and another evil.. good is Vasuki.. obvious related to Subramanya. and also Naga - multiple heads e.g Adisesha. Sarpa - single head e.g.Vasuki .

Sep 13, 2022 - 22:42
Sep 13, 2022 - 23:39
 0
What is the difference between Naaga and Sarpa ? as Brahma nominated Vaasuki as Adhipati of Nagas and Takshaka as Adhipati of Sarpas.
Image is for Representation purpose only

Some differences and similarities are mentioned in  " Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (Bhāgavata Purāṇa) » Skandha 5» Adhyay 24  (SB 5.24): "

Sarpas

ततोऽधस्तान्महातले काद्रवेयाणां सर्पाणां नैकशिरसां क्रोधवशो नाम गणः कुहक

तक्षककालियसुषेणादिप्रधाना महाभोगवन्तः पतत्त्रिराजाधिपतेः पुरुष

वाहादनवरतमुद्विजमानाः स्वकलत्रापत्यसुहृत्कुटुम्बसङ्गेन क्वचित्प्रमत्ता विहरन्ति ॥ ५.२४.२९ ॥

The planetary system below Talātala is known as Mahātala. It is the abode of many-hooded snakes, descendants of Kadrū, who are always very angry. The great snakes who are prominent are  Kuhaka, Takṣaka, Kāliya and Suṣeṇa. The snakes in Mahātala are always disturbed by fear of Garuḍa, the carrier of Lord Viṣṇu, but although they are full of anxiety, some of them nevertheless sport with their wives, children, friends and relatives.

Nagas

ततोऽधस्तात्पाताले नागलोकपतयो वासुकिप्रमुखाः शङ्खकुलिकमहाशङ्खश्वेत

धनञ्जयधृतराष्ट्रशङ्खचूडकम्बलाश्वतरदेवदत्दयो महाभोगिनो महामर्षा निवसन्ति ।

येषामु ह वै पञ्चसप्तदशशतसहस्रशीर्षाणां फणासु विरचिता महामणयो रोचिष्णवः पाताल विवरतिमिरनिकरं स्वरोचिषा विधमन्ति ॥ ५.२४.३१ ॥

Beneath Rasātala is another planetary system, known as Pātāla or Nāgaloka, where there are many demoniac serpents, the masters of Nāgaloka, such as Śaṅkha, Kulika, Mahāśaṅkha, Śveta, Dhanañjaya, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Śaṅkhacūḍa, Kambala, Aśvatara and Devadatta. The chief among them is Vāsuki. They are all extremely angry, and they have many, many hoods — some snakes five hoods, some seven, some ten, others a hundred and others a thousand. These hoods are bedecked with valuable gems, and the light emanating from the gems illuminates the entire planetary system of bila-svarga.

Here Vasuki is mentioned as king of Nagas, however, in BG 10.28-29, Lord Krishna says:

सर्पाणामस्मि वासुकिः

I am Vasuki among Sarpas

अनन्तश्चास्मि नागानां

And, I am Ananta among Nagas

That means Vasuki is mentioned as Sarpa in BG 10.28.

Also, Kaliya is mentioned as Sarpa here but in SB 10.16 both Sarpa and Naga words are used for Kaliya. 

As both Sarpas and Nagas have the same category, sometimes words are used interchangeably. Some differences in them are:

Nagas live in Nagaloka or Patala loka but Sarpas in Mahātala loka

Nagas have gems in their hoods

Nagas have many many many hoods. 

So with respect to your question, Lord Brahma appointed one as a king of Mahātala Loka and the other as a king of Nagaloka or Patala Loka. In the beginning, Sesha was king of Nagas and Vasuki was king of Sarpas but when Sesha left his brothers then Vasuki became king of Nagas and Takshaka became king of Sarpas.

That's why some texts mention Vasuki as king of Sarpas and few mention him as king of Nagas. And further both terms are used inter changeably which creates more confusion. Similar is the cases with Daityas, and Danavas which are different but due to the same category used interchangeably sometimes.

What's Your Reaction?

like

dislike

love

funny

angry

sad

wow