From Airavat to Sheshnaag: Animals from Indian Mythology

Posted on 17/10/2016 I by: Navneeta

Ancient Indians has always recognized the animals` right to co-exist with man. Festivals are observed in honor of several animals. Ancient Indian religious texts mention various such creatures most of which are associated with one or more of the many Hindu Gods. Here are a few divine animals from Indian Mythology.

Airavat... Indra`s mount

It is said that Airavat was born when Brahma sang seven sacred hymns over the two halves of the egg shell from which Garuda hatched. It is also mentioned in many religious text that once when Indra defeated Vritasur, the demon of drought, Airavata reached down to the watery underworld with his trunk, and sprayed the water into the clouds. Indra then caused the watery clouds to rain.

Nandi... Lord Shiva`s bull

Kamadhenu is the mother of all cows according to Hindu mythology. Once, as she started giving birth to a lot of calves, the milk flooded Shiva`s abode and disturbed his meditation. Furious as He was, Lord Shiva struck the cows with a bolt of fire from his third eye. So, to calm him down, the gods offered him Nandi, the son of Kasyapa and Kamadehnu. Nandi is believed to be the protector of all animals.

Navagunjara... Nine animal ensemble

Navagunjara was a form assumed by Krishna when he went to meet Arjuna in the forest. It has the head of a rooster, neck of a peacock, hump of a camel, waist of a lion, and tail of a serpent and stood on three feet each of which was of an elephant, a tiger and the deer or a horse.

The snake around Shiva`s neck

When the cosmic oceans were being churned, the poison was consumed by Shiva and some snakes. Impressed by such act, Shiva decided to accept the Vasuki, the king of snakes, around his neck. It is said that the three coils of the snake around Shiva`s neck, represent the past, the present, and the future.

Sheshnaag... Serpent with 1000 heads

When Brahma was impressed by Sheshnaag`s penances, He offered him a boon. But Sheshnaag only asked to be a servant of spirituality. So, Brahma asked Sheshnaag to coil around the earth and hold it steady, which he gladly accepted.