The Sanskrit term Śarvanāga can be transliterated into English as Sarvanaga or Sharvanaga, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture

Sarvanāga (सर्वनाग) refers to “all serpents”, according to the 2nd-century Meghasūtra (“Cloud Sutra”) in those passages which contain ritual instructions.—Accordingly, “In the end of one’s robe a knot must be tied with seven prayers by the prophet of the Law after he has previously made provision for his safety. This ‘Whirlwind’-Chapter, (also) called ‘The heart of all Serpents (sarvanāga—sarvanāgānāṃ hṛdayaṃ),’ must be recited. [...]”

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

India history and geography

Source: archive.org: Personal and geographical names in the Gupta inscriptions

Śarvanāga (शर्वनाग) is an example of a Śaivite name mentioned in the Gupta inscriptions. Classification of personal names according to deities (e.g., from Śaivism) were sometimes used by more than one person and somehow seem to have been popular. The Gupta empire (r. 3rd-century CE), founded by Śrī Gupta, covered much of ancient India and embraced the Dharmic religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Derivation of personal names (e.g., Śarvanāga) during the rule of the Guptas followed patterns such as tribes, places, rivers and mountains.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Naga, Sharva, Carva.

Full-text: Mandalika.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Sharvanaga, Sarvanāga, Śarvanāga, Sarvanaga, Sarva-naga, Sarvanaga, Sarva-nāga; (plurals include: Sharvanagas, Sarvanāgas, Śarvanāgas, Sarvanagas, nagas, nāgas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

A Historical Study of Kaushambi (by Nirja Sharma)

Kaushambi under the Gupta Dynasty (350 to about 500 A.D.) < [Chapter 2]

show preview