Adishesha

Adishesha, also known as Adi-Shesha or Ananta Shesha, is a prominent serpent deity in Hinduism. The name combines adi meaning “first” or “prime” with Shesha, and Ananta emphasizes eternity. He is regarded as the king of all nagas and the foremost serpent in the cosmic order.

In Hindu cosmology, Adishesha lies in the primordial ocean, upon which Vishnu rests. His many hoods are said to form a protective canopy over Vishnu, while his coils bear the weight of the universe. He is typically depicted as a colossal multi-headed serpent, with the number of heads varying in different traditions.

Adishesha is described in various Puranic and other scriptures as a son of Kashyapa and Kadru, and as the elder naga who is often associated with Vasuki as a kin. In Vaishnavism, he serves as the bed on which Vishnu reclines in the cosmic ocean, symbolizing the stability and continuity of the cosmos. The imagery and name convey concepts of infinity and enduring order, with Ananta highlighting the endless nature of the divine and the universe.

In art and temple iconography, Adishesha appears as a vast serpent with multiple heads, sometimes shown with Vishnu resting on his coils. The figure functions as a theological emblem of cosmic support and the cyclical nature of creation and dissolution within Hindu thought.