Introduction
Vasuki is the king of the Nagas, the serpent race, a son of Kashyapa and Kadru. He is best known for serving as the churning-rope during the Samudra Manthan, the churning of the ocean of milk, and for being worn by Shiva coiled around his neck.
The Nagas, serpent beings and sons of Kadru, are among the most important non-human races of Hindu mythology; the major named Nagas include Shesha, Vasuki, Takshaka and Karkotaka.
Family
- Father: Kashyapa
- Mother: Kadru
- Siblings: Vishnu, Surya, Indra, Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman, Bhaga, Dhata, Amsha, Pushan, Tvashtri, Savitri, Garuda, Aruna, Hiranyaksha, Hiranyakashipu, Karkotaka, Kaliya
The churning of the ocean
When the gods and demons together churned the ocean of milk to obtain amrita, they used Mount Mandara as the churning rod, and Vasuki agreed to serve as the rope wound around it, with the gods holding his tail and the demons his head (or the reverse, in some versions). The churning caused him great pain, and it is said that the poison Halahala, which Shiva later drank, arose partly from this ordeal.
Shiva's garland
Vasuki is worn by Shiva as a serpent garland around his neck, one of Shiva's most recognisable attributes, a mark of both Shiva's mastery over dangerous and fearsome things and of his closeness to a being usually feared by others.
Family
Vasuki's sister is Jaratkaru, whose marriage to the sage of the same name produced the child Astika, who later saved the Naga race from destruction at Janamejaya's snake sacrifice.
Worship
Vasuki, like other Nagas, is honoured on Nag Panchami, and serpent worship associated with him is found across many regions of India, connected to his role as king of his race.