Vasuki is called the ‘King of Sarpas’ or the ‘Serpent King’ in Buddhist and Hindu religion. During the Churning of the Ocean – ‘The Samudra Manthan’, Vasuki wrapped himself around Mount Mandara to enable churning of the ocean of milk. Vasuki allowed the Asuras as well as the Devas to tie him to Mount Mandara, so that with the churning, Amrutam could be extracted from the ocean of milk. Other scriptures like the Mahabharata and Ramayana also have mention about Vasuki. His parents are Kadru and siblings are the nagas, Shesha and Manasa.
Vasuki has a gem called Nagamani on his head. He is Shiva’s snake and is well known for coiling around the neck of Lord Shiva. Vasuki is blessed by Shiva which he wears around his neck as an ornament. Extremely intrigued by this act, Shiva acknowledged ‘the Lord of the Sarpas’ – Vasuki around his neck.
Buddhist mythology indicates that various Naga Kings as well as Vasuki appeared as audience in many of the sermons, Gautama Buddha. Different duties were allotted to the Naga Kings including directing the Nagas in venerating and protecting the Buddha as well as offering protection to other enlightened beings.
A particular Pedireddla and Nair clan is called Vasuki, in Visakha district in Andhra Pradesh and in Kerala. Their ancestors claim that to make way for Indraprashtha (their capital) the Khandava Forest was destroyed in fire and cleared by the Pandavas and Krishna, during which time the Naga serpents were allowed to go free. As indicated in the Puranas, Vasuki is the ‘Ruler of the Sarpas’.
