| Type: | Hindu |
| Nagalakshmi | |
| Deity Of: | Queen of the Serpents |
| Affiliation: | Vaishnavism |
| Abode: | Vaikuntha |
| Spouse: | Shesha |
| Texts: | Garga Samhita |
Nagalakshmi is a serpent goddess and the consort of Shesha, a nagaraja (king of the serpents) and one of the two mounts of Vishnu featured in Hindu mythology. She is considered to be the personification of the divine ocean called the Kshira Sagara.[1]
Nagalakshmi's legend is mainly found in the Garga Samhita. In this, the Kshira Sagara is personified as her. In Chapter 3 of the Balabhadra Khanda of the Garga Samhita, it is mentioned that she incarnated on earth along with her husband.[2] [3]
The Kshira Sagara is the fifth from the centre of the seven oceans. It surrounds the continent known as Krauncha.[4] According to Hindu scriptures, the devas and asuras worked together for a millennium to churn this ocean in order to acquire amrita, the elixir of immortal life.[5] It is described as the place where the deity Vishnu reclines over his serpent-mount Shesha, accompanied by his consort, Lakshmi.[6]
In the Treta Yuga, she incarnated as Urmila, the wife of Lakshmana. She was born as the daughter of King Janaka of Mithila and Queen Sunayana. She played a prominent role in the Hindu epic Ramayana.[7] [8] When Shesha's avatar Lakshmana went to exile with Rama (Vishnu's avatar), Urmila slept continuously for fourteen years so that her husband could serve his brother without requiring sleep, an episode known as Urmila Nidra.[9] [10]
In the Dvapara Yuga, she was born as Revati, the wife of Balarama and the daughter of King Kakudmi of Kushasthali.[11] However, in traditions where Balarama is identified with Vishnu, Revati is regarded to be a form of Lakshmi.[12]
In the Garga Samhita, the sage Pradipika recounts the attributes of Nagalakshmi:[13]
The Ananthankavu Nagalakshmi Temple, located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is known for its environmental sensitivity and association with snakes. It stands as the sole sacred grove (surppakavu) housing ancient 1000-year-old idols of Nagalakshmi and Nagaraja Ananthan.[14]