What is the difference between naga and sarpa

II, One of the Masters, in a letter to A. Now think: the Nag awakes. He heaves a heavy breath and the latter is sent like an electric shock all along the wire encircling Space. Sinnett , p. Sanskrit "Serpent. Hence Sarpa is a mystical term applied to an initiate. Sarpa serpent is from the root Srip, serpo — to creep; and they are called "Ahi," from Ha, to abandon.

They are called Sarpa from their creeping, and A hi because they had deserted the head" Wilson. But the Nagas , their serpent's tail notwithstanding, do not creep, but manage to walk, run and fight in the allegories. The difference between these two Sanskrit terms Sarpa and Naga may be briefly set forth in the following observations: Sarpa was the original Sanskrit term signifying a snake or serpent; whereas Naga, although possibly originally likewise signifying a snake or serpent — which it does consistently throughout the range of Sanskrit literature — nevertheless early became identified in mystical thought with initiates because of their power of casting off human physical body after human physical body almost at will.

Both terms therefore signify serpent or snake: the wriggling reptile was well known, and both later were used almost indiscriminately likewise to signify initiates.

Nevertheless, because of habit or use, Naga is the more common term for a full initiate, Sarpa in this sense being of less frequent usage. The point is that Sarpa is from the verbal root srip meaning "to wriggle," "to creep," "to crawl" — a meaning which it has not lost in any period of Sanskrit literature. Now initiates do not wriggle or creep or crawl. Besides the facts given above, it must be remembered that just as the forces of Nature are in themselves neutral, and become "good" or "bad" as they are used by individuals, similarly so is a symbol usable in a good sense or a bad sense.

Both the Brothers of Light and the Brothers of Darkness are focuses of power, of subtilty, of wisdom, and of knowledge; in the one case rightly and nobly applied, and in the other case wrongly applied. The others, the latter, are more strictly the Sarpas, the Serpents of Darkness, insinuating, worldly wise, selfishly shrewd, deceitful, venomous, and dangerous; and yet possessing the same powers, but in less degree, and using them wrongly, thus deceiving human hearts and succeeding in their work often by lies and misrepresentations.

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Active 2 years, 10 months ago. Viewed 2k times. Improve this question. Chandrashekara B. Chandrashekara 5 5 silver badges 9 9 bronze badges. I believe, one is good and another evil.. Naga - multiple heads e. Sarpa - single head e. Vasuki — mar. Add a comment.

Active Oldest Votes. Improve this answer. Very descriptive and satisfying answer — B. It seems in the beginning Sesha was king of Nagas and Vasuki was king of Sarpas but when Sesha left his brothers then Vasuki became king of Nagas and Takshaka became king of Sarpas.

That's why few text mention Vasuki as king of Sarpas and few mention as king of Nagas.