Tib. lu] water-deities, gods of the underworld, water spirits, serpents, demi-gods with human heads and serpent bodies generally living in fountains, rivers, and lakes.

In Hinduism, they were known as gods of rain and fertility, in Buddhism, they became seen as protectors. For example, there is a story of when the Buddha was meditating and it began to rain. A Naga came up behind the Buddha and unfolded its seven-headed hood over the Buddha so the rain would not disturb him. Images of Nagas are commonly seen decorating temple staircase and roofs (probably because the roofs are wood and susceptible to fire, and Nagas were traditionally thought to bring rain).

(long): One of the eight types of celestial beings. Chinese term means dragon. Non-human being not normally visible to humans. Nagas usually live in the oceans of the world. They are very powerful, some being benevolent and some malevolent. Their upper half is said to be human while their lower half serpent. Virupaksa is their king. When a thunderstorm broke out, a naga king, Mucalinda, came and protected the Buddha while he was meditating in Bodhgaya. This is the significance of the art depicting a hooded cobra poised over the Buddha. It was to the nagas that the Buddha entrusted the great prajnaparamita teachings. The great Dharma King Nagarjuna was so named because he is said to have gone to the land of the nagas to retrieve these scriptures.

Strange hybrid creatures with a body of a female human but with a snake's tail in stead of legs.

Nagas are an alleged race of aliens, also referred to as reptoids, reptiloids, reptons, homosaurs, lizard-men, or "grays" with large noses. Some claim they are referenced in Indian and Tibetan mythology as demonic creatures from a subterranean realm.

A group of hill tribes inhabiting the region between Assam and Burma. They were hostile to the Aryans and managed to preserve their independence until the nineteenth century.

Elephants born of Sama