Nag Kanya: Snake Goddess

Village life is replete with local guardians, genii and divinities that are closer to the village realities, especially agriculture. These bestow on humankind boons of life-bountiful crops, children, health and long life. Water is especially important in village life and is considered the counterpart on earth of the liquor of heaven (Amrita). Serpent kings and queens (nagas, naginis), are the guardians of terrestrial waters of lakes, ponds, rivers and oceans.

Nagas are genii superior to humans and should be feared as such. They are direct descendants of the great Anata-Sesha, the serpent-bed of Vishnu. They are said to inhabit grand palaces with many jewels at the bottom of lakes and are also said to guard the treasures of the waters-pearls, shells and coral. For this reason, nagas are door guardians and appear at the portals of many Hindu and Buddhist shrines. They are often shown carrying symbols of the fertility of vegetation, for which they are responsible in their role of water guardians.