Thread by @anbezhil12

#MahaPeriyava has spoken about #Karkotakan as very sacred soul. So wanted to write about Him. Karkotakan is one of the powerful snakes or Nagas with numerous magical powers. His parents were Sage Kashyapa and Kadru. The descendants of Karkotaka Naga are today settled in Rajasthan

and are known as Katewa. Once Karkotakan cheated Sage Naradar and the angry sage cursed him that he will become immobile. The sage then said that he will be relieved of his curse by Nala. Nala was the king of Nishadha kingdom and he was married to the beautiful Damayanti. But

unfortunately Nala was possessed by Demon Kali and he took advantage of his weakness for gambling. Nala lost his kingdom to his brother in a game of dice. Nala then took refuge in the forest and once happened to find Karkotaka engulfed in a wild forest fire. The snake was unable

to move due to the curse of Sage Narada. Nala saved him from the forest fire and as said by Sage Narada he regained the movement of his body. Karkotaka then helped Nala to recover his kingdom and this story is mentioned in the Mahabharata. Karkotaka asked Nala to walk a few steps

counting his footsteps. Nala did so and at the tenth step, Karkotaka stung him and his whole body turned blue. Karkotaka then spoke to Nala as follows, "I have changed your appearance so that people may not recognize you. Demon Kali who is troubling you still lives within you. It

is he who is affected by my poison. You need not fear danger from poison any more. You will never be defeated in battle. Go and engage yourself as the charioteer of Rituparna, King of Ayodhya. You will teach him Avahrdaya mantra. In return for it he will teach you Aksahrdaya

mantra. Here are two garments which I give you. If you put them on, you will be restored to your own shape. May you be blessed again with a happy family life." After saying this, Karkotaka vanished. (M.B. Vana Parva, Chapter 66). Nala was able to regain his kingdom and his wife

Damayanti with the advice and help given by Karkotaka. There are temples dedicated to Karkotaka in Rajasthan, where he is the patron deity of Katewa community. In Chikhaldara in Maharashtra there is a hill named after Karkotaka and the hill also has a famous temple dedicated to

Nag Karkotaka Maharaj. Generally, Karkotaka is believed to be an arrogant snake. But it is not correct. Karkotaka acted arrogantly only with his enemies, and contains very good qualities. He is a friend of Lord Indra, and considered as a great Naga king, and a sincere devotee of

Lord Vishnu. Now he is living in the nether world, Naga Lok.
He was mentioned in several ancient Hindu and Buddhist texts. He looks very bright and contains very good characteristics. It is suggested for those who suffer from Sarpa Dosham, to worship Lord Karkotaka by chanting

the mantra, Om SriKarkotakaya Namaha, in order to get rid from the dosham. He contains great powers, and is capable to attend our calls immediately, and protects us from snake bites. He is having the capacity to read our mind, safeguards us and removes our problems, and come with

us like our shadow and gives great happiness, peacefulness and good prosperity to us. Let us worship the noble king Karkotaka and be blessed.
Praatasmarana shloka

Kaarkotakasya Naagasya Damayanthyaa Nalasya Cha
Rithuparnasya Raajarsheha Keerthanam Kalinaashanam

"Kaarkotaka,

Damayanti, Nala, Rituparna--just remembering them removes one of their sins. They are such punyavaans (sacred souls)."

Om Sri Karkotakaya Namaha
Om Sri Adiseshaya Namaha
Om Namo Narayanaya Namaha
Sarvam Sri Krishnarpanam 🙏🏻