आदिशेष
Adisesha: The Thousand-Headed Serpent Supporting the World
Adisesha, also known as Shesha, is the thousand-headed serpent on whom Lord Vishnu reposes in Vaikunta, the heavenly abode. Floating upon the sea of milk in Vaikunta, Adisesha plays a central role in Hindu cosmology. He is the first-born among serpents, the son of Kadru (a daughter of Daksha) and the sage Kashyapa. As a divine serpent, Adisesha belongs to the greater lineage of the Nagas, mystical beings who bridge the earthly and cosmic realms in Hindu mythology.
According to the Mahabharata [Maha:1.35], Adisesha was tasked by Lord Brahma to bear the weight of the world upon his many heads. His strength and endurance allowed him to take on this cosmic responsibility, becoming the foundation upon which the Earth rests.
Renunciation and Devotion
Saddened by the wickedness of his brothers, Adisesha chose to distance himself from them. He retreated to the sacred mountain Gandhamadana, where he lived in solitude, practicing extreme asceticism and surviving only on air. His devotion to his vows and his control over his passions gained the attention of Lord Brahma, who appeared before him to grant a boon.
When Brahma asked what he desired, Adisesha expressed his wish for salvation, deeply troubled by the immoral actions of his brothers and the mistreatment of his aunt Vinata and her son Garuda by his mother Kadru and his serpent siblings. One of these siblings, Vasuki, would also gain cosmic prominence in the tale of the churning of the ocean, highlighting the powerful destinies shared among Kadru’s children.
In response to Brahma’s offer of another boon, Adisesha humbly asked, “Let my heart always delight in virtue and in ascetic penances.”
Bearer of the Earth
Impressed by Adisesha’s devotion and asceticism, Brahma not only granted him his wish for virtue but also entrusted him with an additional honor: to bear the weight of the Earth upon his heads, keeping it steady and balanced. Thus, Adisesha became the cosmic serpent who supports the Earth, a role symbolizing his strength, patience, and spiritual discipline.
Key Details of Adisesha
| Role | Description |
|---|---|
| Relation to Vishnu | Adisesha serves as the serpent bed on which Lord Vishnu reposes in Vaikunta. |
| Family | Son of Kadru (daughter of Daksha) and Sage Kashyapa. |
| Cosmic Role | Bears the Earth on his many heads, ensuring stability and balance in the universe. |
| Devotion to Brahma | Practiced extreme asceticism and gained Brahma’s favor through his devotion. |
| Boon from Brahma | Asked for a heart that delights in virtue and ascetic penance. |
Significance of Adisesha
Adisesha is revered as the cosmic serpent, representing both strength and spiritual wisdom. His role as the support of the Earth places him at the foundation of the universe’s stability, while his service to Lord Vishnu illustrates his dedication to dharma and divine duty. His deep desire for virtue and penance, coupled with his eventual salvation, makes Adisesha a symbol of self-discipline, humility, and the power of devotion. His devotion to dharma echoes that of Aditi, another cosmic mother figure whose divine lineage helped maintain balance between light and darkness in the universe.