In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

Nāgayajñopavīta (नागयज्ञोपवीत) refers to “having a serpent as a sacred thread” and is used to describe Sadāśiva, according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 9.19cd-26, while instructing to visualize Sadāśiva in order to worship the formless Amṛteśa]—“[He] resembles the swelling moon, a heap of mountain snow. Five-faced, large-eyed, ten-armed, [and] three-armed, [he] has a serpent as a sacred thread (nāgayajñopavīta). He is covered in a garment made of tiger skin. [He] sits in the bound lotus pose atop a white lotus, [holding] a trident, blue lotus, arrow, rudrākṣa, [and] a mallet. [...]”.

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Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Nāgayajñopavīta (नागयज्ञोपवीत) [=nāgayajñopavītaka?] refers to a “one having the sacred thread of a serpent” and is used to describe Śiva, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.30 (“The Celebration of Pārvatī’s Return”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “[...] O sage, on hearing the sweet songs, and seeing the delightful dance, the people entered into raptures of ecstacy. Pārvatī became unconscious. She saw Śiva’s handsome form, bearing trident and other symbols before her vision. He had smeared the ashes all over His body. He was wearing a garland of bones. His face was beaming with his shining three eyes. He had the sacred thread of a serpent (nāgayajñopavītaka [?? nāgāyajñopavītakam ??]). Exquisitely white in complexion, the handsome lord Śiva, the friend of the distressed, the ocean of mercy was repeating the words ‘Choose the boon (or the bridegroom)’. On seeing Him thus in her mind she bowed to Him. Mentally she had chosen the boon when she had said, ‘Be my husband’.”.

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The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Nāgayajñopavīta (नागयज्ञोपवीत):—[=nāga-yajñopavīta] [from nāga] n. a serpent as the sacred thread

[Sanskrit to German]

Nagayajnopavita in German

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Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Naga, Yajnopavita.

Starts with: Nagayajnopavitaka, Nagayajnopavitavat.

Full-text: Nagayajnopavitavat, Nagayajnopavitin, Yajnopavita, Nagayajnopavitaka.

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