Sheshnag is a the serpent god in Hindu mythology. He is the serpent on which Lord Vishnu reclines. It is the king of the Nagas (serpent race) and the ruler of Patal, or the underworld. In between the cycles of creation, Vishnu sleeps on the bed formed by its coils. Sheshnag is also believed to support the world on its hood. Vasuki, Takshak, and Sheshnag are the 3 kings of the Naga race. Sheshnag represents the ‘remainder’ when the universe is dissolved, and Vishnu rests on its coils.
According to Hindu mythology, Seshnag incarnated as Lakshman, Lord Rama’s brother during the Treta Yuga, and as Balarama, Lord Krishna’s brother during the Dwapara Yuga.
Sheshnag as Ananta
Sheshnag has a thousand heads and is also known as ‘Ananta’ (the timeless) because it does not perish when the universe is destroyed. All serpents have a divine lineage, as they are the children of Sage Kashyap and Kadru. Bhogvati, the city of pleasures, is the main city of the Nagas. Here, Sheshnag appears like the White Mountain, wearing precious gems. Sheshnag is supposedly the soul of Balarama, Krishna’s brother. It emerged from the body of Balrama as he lay dying and entered the earth, where he was warmly welcomed by the other Nagas.
Sheshnag as Lakshman
Vishnu descended to earth during the Treta Yuga as Lord Rama. Rama was the 7th incarnation of Vishnu. Sheshnag also accompanied him by taking birth as Lakshman, Rama’s younger brother. Lakshman doted on Rama and accompanied Rama and Sita to the forest when Rama went into exile. As Lakshman, Sheshnag rendered selfless service to Vishnu as Rama. He was the epitome of an ideal brother. When Lakshman fell unconscious due to the Brahmastra on the battlefield, Rama said that he could get whatever he wanted in this world but not a brother like Lakshman. Such was the love between the two brothers.
Lakshman chose to give up his life to prevent Ayodhya from falling under Sage Durvasa’s curse. Sage Durvasa once came to see Rama. Rama was talking to Yama and told Lakshman to kill anyone who entered the room and disturbed them, as per Yama’s instructions. So Lakshman refused to let Durvasa in. The furious sage threatened to curse all of Ayodhya if Lakshman failed to inform Rama of his arrival. Lakshman decided it was better to die to save all of Ayodhya from Durvasa’s curse. So, he informed Rama of the sage’s arrival. Rama ended his meeting with Yama and received Durvasa with warmth. To fulfill his brother’s promise, Lakshman went to the Sarayu River’s banks as he planned to abandon the world through penance. He attained Vaikuntha before Rama and waited for him.
Sheshnag as Balarama
Balarama, Lord Krishna's (8th avatar of Vishnu) elder brother, was born as the son of Vasudeva and Devaki. He is an incarnation of Sheshnag. His weapon was a plow, and devotees also called him Haldhar. He symbolizes duty, honesty, and simplicity.
When Devaki became pregnant with her seventh child, Vishnu asked Goddess Yogmaya to install Devaki’s seventh eternal embryo in Rohini’s womb. Rohini was another wife of Vasudeva. Yogmaya did accordingly. This prevented Kamsa from killing him as soon as he was born. It was Kamsa’s destiny to die at the hands of Devaki’s eighth son, so Kamsa would kill all the children born to Devaki.
Rohini became pregnant, and after nine months, Balarama was born. Kamsa heard a divine prophecy that Devaki’s seventh child was stillborn. Balarama grew up at Nanda’s (a friend of Vasudeva) house. During his naming ceremony, Sage Garg had prophesied that the child would possess infinite strength (Bal), so he got the name Balarama. As he was drawn from Devaki’s to Rohini’s womb, he got the name Sankarsana (plowing). He was so powerful that when he was still a boy, he single-handedly killed the demon, Dhenuka, who took the form of an ass.
Revati, daughter of King Raivat of Aanart, was the wife of Balarama. Balarama was Krishna’s constant companion and always protected him. Whenever Krishna needed him, he served him.
Balrama accompanied Krishna to the Dhanush Yagna organized by Kamsa. He helped Krishna kill the elephant, Kubal. During a wrestling bout, he also threw Mushtik (a trusted lieutenant of Kans) with such force that he died instantly.
Jarasandha used to attack Mathura often. Balarama and his Yadava army defeated him every
time. Jarasandh had 23 armies armed with weapons. Balarama defeated them all.
Balarama taught club-fighting to both Bhīma and Duryodhana. During the Kurukshetra war, the two came face to face in the final fight. Balarama remained neutral, being their guru. Bhīma, the stronger opponent, defeated Duryodhana (the more skilled fighter) by striking him below the navel with his mace. However, this violated the rules of mace combat. So, Balarama decided to kill Bhīma. But when Krishna reminded Balarama that Bhīma had vowed to kill Duryodhana by crushing the thigh he had exposed to Draupadi, Balarama changed his mind.
There are many temples for Balarama or ‘Dauji’ (elder brother) in India. Devotees believe that he will bestow wealth on them.
Balarama is also the “God of farmers”. Indian farmers worship him before doing any task. Before doing any important farming-related tasks, they worship his weapon, the plow. It was Balarama who performed the funeral ceremony of Abhimanyu, the Pandava prince Arjuna’s son, being his maternal uncle.
The Yadava clan was cursed to destroy itself. This happened 36 years after the end of the Kurukshetra war. Balrama also participated in the drunken battle that led to the destruction of the rest of the Yadavas and witnessed Krishna’s disappearance. During his last hours, Balarama went into a meditative state, and a great white snake came out of his mouth. In this manner, he left this world. The place where this occurred is around 1 km from Somnath temple in Gujarat. The locals in Vera Val (a town in Gujarat) claim there is a cave in the town where, supposedly, the white snake emerged from Balarama’s mouth.
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