Takshaka
Also called Taksaka.
Takshaka is a naga king of Hindu epic tradition who killed a king in revenge for an insult to a sage, and whose people were nearly destroyed in the retaliatory serpent sacrifice that followed.
At a glance
- Tradition
- Indian folklore
- Region
- India (place of origin)
- Trait family
- The Impervious
- Symbols
- Snake
Near this figure
Symbols
Judged against the description by a model. Meanings are our own paraphrase.
- Snake is Snake is a broad serpent symbol of creation and guardianship; South American traditions name Snake a primordial earth-maker and giver of hunting arts.
why
The episode that fixes him begins with an insult: a king hangs a dead snake on a meditating sage, and the sage's son curses him to die of snakebite within seven days.
Traits
Read from the figure's description, which a model wrote. Open "why" for the sentence a trait came from.
Form
- Shrinks and grows to deceive
why
In the account he intercepts a physician travelling to protect the king and turns him back, then has his followers approach in the guise of ascetics bringing fruit, concealing himself within one of the offerings as a small worm.
- Serpentine elongated body
why
Takshaka is one of the great naga kings of the epic tradition, ruling among the serpent people who inhabit the world below.
Offensive powers
- Venomous bite
why
The episode that fixes him begins with an insult: a king hangs a dead snake on a meditating sage, and the sage's son curses him to die of snakebite within seven days.
Utility powers
- Shapeshifting size
why
In the account he intercepts a physician travelling to protect the king and turns him back, then has his followers approach in the guise of ascetics bringing fruit, concealing himself within one of the offerings as a small worm.
Roles
Judged from the works' own entries, not from the description. Carries: the figure holds the role. Meets: the role is in its stories, held by something it meets.
- Serpent carries both readings
4 citations
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Takshaka."
- John Dowson, A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, s.v. "Takshaka."
- M. W. de Visser, The Dragon in China and Japan, p. 4.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Takshaka."
- Trickster carries both readings
4 citations
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Takshaka."
- John Dowson, A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, s.v. "Takshaka."
- M. W. de Visser, The Dragon in China and Japan, p. 4.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Takshaka."
- Death meets
4 citations
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Takshaka."
- John Dowson, A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, s.v. "Takshaka."
- M. W. de Visser, The Dragon in China and Japan, p. 4.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Takshaka."
- Father meets
4 citations
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Takshaka."
- John Dowson, A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, s.v. "Takshaka."
- M. W. de Visser, The Dragon in China and Japan, p. 4.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Takshaka."
- Hero meets
4 citations
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Takshaka."
- John Dowson, A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, s.v. "Takshaka."
- M. W. de Visser, The Dragon in China and Japan, p. 4.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Takshaka."