Mahoraga
The Mahoraga (Sanskrit: महोरग) are a race of deities in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Like the nāga, they are often depicted as anthropomorphic beings with serpentine bodies from the waist down. However, their appearance can differ depending on artistic tradition, sometimes having serpent heads with humanoid bodies.[1]
| Translations of Mahoraga | |
|---|---|
| English | Great serpent |
| Sanskrit | महोरग (IAST: mahoraga) |
| Pali | महोरग (mahoraga) |
| Chinese | 摩睺羅伽 (Pinyin: móhóuluóqié) |
| Japanese | 摩睺羅伽 (rōmaji: magoraga) |
| Korean | 마후라가 (RR: mahuraga) |
| Tibetan | ལྟོ་འཕྱེ་ཆེན་པོ་ Wylie: lto ’phye chen po |
| Vietnamese | ma hầu la già |
| Glossary of Buddhism | |
Buddhism
The Mahoraga are one of the eight classes of deities (aṣṭasenā) that are said to protect the Dharma. They are described as huge subterranean serpents who lie on their sides and rotate the earth, which occasionally causes earthquakes.[2]
Like the kinnara, the mahoraga are also associated with music. They are understood as being associated with large serpents such as pythons, while the nāgas are more closely related to the cobra.[3]
According to the Śariputraparipṛcchā Sūtra (T. 1465), one is reborn as a mahoraga as a result of practicing generosity and upholding the Dharma, while being inclined toward anger.
References
- Nishigori, Ryosuke. Tenbu no Butsuzo Jiten. Tokyo Bijutsu, 1983
- Buswell, Robert E., Jr., & Donald S. Lopez Jr., Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism. Princeton University Press, 2013
- Kobuta, Yura & F.E.A.R. Mikkyo Mandara. Shinkigensha Co., Ltd., 2000
