By “(Rishi) Shaunaka said, ‘O son of Soota, you have told us the reason why the snakes were cursed by their mother (Kadru), and why Vinata also was cursed by her son. You have also told us about the gift of boons, by their husband (Maharishi Kashyapa), on Kadru and Vinata. You have likewise told us the names of Vinata’s sons. But you have not yet recited to us the names of the snakes. We are anxious to hear the names of the principal ones.’
“Soota said, ‘O you whose wealth is Tapas (Rishi Shaunaka), from fear of being lengthy, I shall not mention the names of all the snakes. But I will recite the names of the chief ones. Listen to me!
“(Aadi) Sesha was born first, and then Vaasuki. (Then were born) Airaavata, Takshaka, Karkotaka, Dhananjaya, Kaaliya, the serpent Mani, Poorana, Pinjaraka, Elaapatra, Vaamana, Neela, Aneela, Kalmaasha, Shabala, Aaryaka, Ugra, Shalapotaka, Sumanomukha, Dadhimukha, Vimalapindaka, Aapta, Kotanaka, Samkha, Vaalashikha, Nishtayoonaka, Hemaguha, Nahusha, Pingala, Bahyakarna, Hastipada, Mudgarapindaka, Kambala, Ashwatara, Kaaliyaka, Vritta, Samvartaka, Padma, Mahapadma, Shankhanaka, Sphandaka, the great snake Kshemaka, Pindaraka, Karavira, Pushpadamshtra, Yelakaa, Bilwapaanduka, Mooshakaada, Sankhashiraa, Purnadamshtra, Haridraka, Aparaajita, Jyotika, Pannaga, Srivaha, Kauravya, Dhritarashtra, Pushkara, Shalyaka, Virajaa, Subaahu, Shaalipinda, Prabhakara, Hastibhadra, Pitharaka, Sumuksha, Konavaasana, Kurara, Kunjara, Kumuda, Kumudaksha, Tittri, Halika, Kardama, Bahumulaka, Karkara, Akarkara, Kundodara, and Mahodara.
“Thus, O best of Dwijas (Rishi Shaunaka), have I said the names of the main serpents. From fear of being tedious I do not give names of the rest. O you whose wealth is Tapas, the sons of these snakes, with their grandsons, are innumerable. Thinking upon this, I shall not name them to you. O best Rishi, in this world the number of snakes confuses calculation, there being many thousands of them.’”
SRIMAD MAHABHARATA – AADI PARVA – AASTIKA (UPA) PARVA – List of Snakes
