There are eight important Nagas or Snakes in Hinduism. They
are frequently mentioned in the Puranas, Mahabharata, Ramayana and other
scriptures. The eight principal serpents are:
- Ananta (Sesha) - holds the earth on its fangs - associated with Vishnu
- Vasuki - ornament of Shiva - associated with Shiva
- Padma
- Mahapadma
- Takshaka
- Karkotaka
- Kulika (Gulikan) and
- Shankha