Significance of Great serpent
The "Great serpent" is a multifaceted symbol across various traditions. In Jainism, it signifies the culmination of a serpent's journey. Vaishnavism associates it with anguish, divine forms, and powerful mythical creatures, including Shesh. Purana views it as Maha-Sarpa, linked to poison, divine beings, and metaphors for cosmic events, often associated with Shiva and Krishna. Kavya sees it as a symbol of peril. Yoga depicts it as a source of infinite wisdom, while Dharmashastra and India history link it to Nagas and divine arrival. Mahayana and Theravada also offer unique interpretations, emphasizing knowledge and transformation.
Synonyms: Dragon, Large snake, Huge serpent, Giant serpent
In Dutch: Grote slang; In Finnish: Suuri käärme; In Spanish: Gran serpiente; In German: Große Schlange; In Swedish: Stor orm; In Malay: Ular yang hebat; In French: Grand serpent; In Portugese: Grande serpente; In Italian: Grande serpente; In Polish: Wielki wąż
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Great serpent'
In Buddhism, the Great Serpent embodies a Yakkha, a being of immense size that coils around the Great Being. This entity's language is interpretable, symbolizing a distinct aspect of existence within the broader context of knowledge.
From: Akshayamatinirdesha [english]
(1) A type of being whose language is understood within the larger framework of knowledge of interpretation, representing another facet of existence.[1]
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) This refers to the form assumed by the Yakkha, which is described as being as large as a canoe and coiling around the Great Being.[2]
Hindu concept of 'Great serpent'
In Hinduism, the Great Serpent embodies diverse concepts: mythical creatures aiding Manu, symbolizing infinite wisdom, adorning deities, representing danger, and participating in divine events. They can be protectors, figures of anger, or symbolic of cosmic events, embodying power and mystique.
From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri)
(1) Powerful mythical beings who witnessed the conflict between Rama and Ravana.[3] (2) A metaphorical representation of the earth's withdrawal, symbolizing cosmic events.[4] (3) Mythical beings present at the conflict, representing additional forces or spectators to the combat.[5] (4) A simile used to depict Bali's anger and movement as he exits the city, illustrating his furious demeanor.[6] (5) A metaphor used to describe Ravana's breath when he is furious, symbolizing his anger.[7]
From: Gautami Mahatmya
(1) The serpent born to King Shurasena, who possessed very terrible features but could speak like men.[8]
From: Vishnu Purana
(1) Mythical creatures that assist Manu by serving as cords to fasten the ark to the horn of the fish in the Matsya Purana's flood narrative.[9]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) The beings that Utanka adores on the northern banks of the Ganges, including Airavata and his followers, in his quest for the earrings.[10]
From: Garuda Purana
(1) The great serpent, also known as Maha-Sarpa, is linked to the poison that an emerald can counteract, as stated in the provided text.[11]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) A large mythical creature observed by an individual, notable for spreading its hoods.[12] (2) Large serpentine creatures that appear in the text, characterized by having numerous hoods.[13]
From: Prem Sagar (English translation)
(1) Creatures that acknowledge the superiority of the bird in the island of Kounuck and offer it a snake.[14] (2) Refers to Shri Bhagavan in the form of Shesh, essential in the events involving the seventh pregnancy.[15]
From: Chaitanya Mangala
(1) A metaphor for the anguish that manifested physically as a serpent, symbolizing danger and fear.[16]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) A dangerous entity mentioned by the old Brahman that symbolizes peril and the threat of death.[17]
From: Harsha-charita
(1) The camp was like hell formed to embower these creatures, representing a dangerous and chaotic environment.[18]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Refers to the Nagas, significant mythical creatures that hold places in various narratives.[19]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Vyasa and Vachaspati Mishra)
(1) A metaphorical figure representing the infinite wisdom and strength that sustains stability, symbolized by the steady thousand heads he uses to uphold the earth.[20]
Jain concept of 'Great serpent'
In Jainism, the Great serpent symbolizes a formidable snake entity. It signifies the apex of the kukkuta-serpent's evolution, emerging from hell. The text also implies these serpents vanished, likely due to environmental impacts like battle drums.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) These disappeared from hole into hole, showing the impact of the battle-drums on the environment.[21] (2) A powerful and significant snake creature, representing the culmination of the kukkuta-serpent's existence after rising from hell.[22]
The concept of Great serpent in local and regional sources
The "Great Serpent" is identified by large serpents coiling the Chan-t'an-ni-p'o tree, according to regional sources. It symbolizes divinity and arrival linked to the fifth day of the bright half of the moon in Shravan.
From: Buddhist records of the Western world (Xuanzang)
(1) Lord shakra changed his form and appeared as a great serpent, extending his dead body all along the void of the great valley, in order to rescue and save the people.[23] (2) Large serpents are observed entwining the Chan-t'an-ni-p'o tree as a method of identification.[24]
From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
(1) A symbol connected with divinity, representing the arrival associated with the fifth day of the bright half of the moon in the month of Shravan.[25]
Classical concept of 'Great serpent'
From: Ancient Egypt the Light of the World
(1) The great serpent is in the waters of darkness, who was pierced and smitten through and through when he rose up in rebellion against Ra or Horus or Atum-Iu = Jahu, and Abaddon or destruction lurked below in the shape of the Apap-reptile, the destroyer, the.[26] (2) It had been awesomely remarked that the serpent had the faculty of sloughing its skin and renewing itself. Hence it is said by the Kaffirs that when the girl makes her change she is visited by this, or, in other legends, she is said to change into a serpent.[27]
From: The Gods of the Egyptians Vol 1
(1) The great serpent of the Egyptian Underworld, known by many names, was a terror to the worshippers of the Sun-god, with allies and companions that took the form of snakes or serpents.[28] (2) The great serpent of Egyptian mythology, which was indeed a formidable opponent of the Sun-god, had its prototype in some monster serpent on earth.[29]
From: The Book of Gates
(1) A being upon which offerings are made to the gods.[30]
From: The History of Herodotus
(1) The Athenians believed that a great serpent lived in the temple and guarded the Acropolis, offering it monthly honey-cakes as a ritualistic practice.[31]