Thread by @DefiledGod

--- Rig Veda mantra on Adi Sesha ---

In comparison to garuDa, praise of adi seSha is relatively less common in the veda.

But he is praised in the name of “Ahirbudhnya” here and there. Here is a mantra from Rg Veda that echoes mudal thiruvandhAdhi of poigai azhwar+

First, the etymology of "Ahirbudhnya" - “The serpent belonging to, ie, existing solely for the sake of bhagavAn who is the ground of all (budhna)”.

Thus, this term is a cognate of “Sesha”+

Shiva also has the name “Ahirbudhnya” – One who belongs to or comes from “Ahirbudhna” - SankarShaNa, the ground (support) of the serpent Adi Sesha. pAncharAtra speaks of Shiva as Ahirbudhnya.

But context determines which "Ahirbudhnya" is being referred to in the Vedas+

The mantra is this one,

tan no.ahirbudhnyo abdhirarkaistat parvatastat savitA chano dhAt tadoShadhIbhirabhi rAtiShAcho bhaghaH purandhirjinvatu pra rAye ||

"sendrAl kudaiyAm” is cognate of this mantra. For meanings of the pAsuram, refer to this link -
 divyaprabandham.koyil.org/index.php/2017…

tan no.ahirbudhnyo abdhirarkais

[May we please with song, ie, praise of viShNu, that Adi Sesha, who is “Ahirbudhnya”, with the hoods that hold the Universes (abdhir) and the mouths that incessantly praise viShNu (arkair)]+

“abdhir” – Those that hold water. The term “Ap” means the Universe. Thus his hoods are the holders of Universes.

“arkair” – “arka” means to praise. He has innumerable mouths singing praises of viShNu. Thus, he is pleased by our song or sAmans we use to praise viShNu+

tat parvatastat savitA

[Who is the fulfiller of services for that paramAtma (tatparvata), the producer of numerous forms for the sake of service of that paramAtma (tatsavitA)]+

Tatparvata – tasya paramAtmanaH pUrayitrin – He is the “filler” or satisfier of that paramAtma known as “Tat” by performing various services like being his umbrella, his cot, his couch etc. This is same as "sendrAl kudaiyAm"+

tatsavitA – tasya paramAtmanaH savitA – sarveShAm janita – He who produces innumerable forms for the sake of serving that paramAtma. Azhwar says he becomes a lamp if bhagavAn wants to see, a dress for bhagavAn to wear etc+

tadoShadhIbhirabhi rAtiShAcho

[That Adi Sesha, having mouths holding heat (of fire), is also most munificent towards the devotees.]

“tat” refers to Adi Sesha here. “oShadhI” – holders of heat (oShas) – mouths of fire.+

His mouths have flames which he shoots periodically, as he is ever afraid someone is coming to harm bhagavAn.

But he is also very munificent towards devotees, as lokAchArya says, kAtAkSham of his 2000 eyes fall on the mukta in paramapada and it is like a nectarine wave of bliss+

bhaghaH purandhirjinvatu pra rAye

[Let that gracious serpent, having abundant knowledge and strength impel us to the wealth of services to bhagavAn]+

Just as azhwar only dedicated one pAsuram to Adi SeSha’s glory alone, number of mantras praising Adi SeSha solely appear limited (though Veda is infinite, so we don’t know…).

This is due to his modesty, as lakShmaNa always kept behind rAma and sIta, never seeking glory//