Naga Kanya: Three Realm Guardian Goddess from The Guardian
Background and Significance:
Daughter of the serpent, defender of wealth, loving goddess of the three kingdoms, Naga Kanya—also known as Nag Kanya or Naag Kanya—snake of the rainbow. According to Hindu mythology, Nagas are serpentine souls living in the underworld that guard and impart Mother Goddess lessons. Said to preserve all esoteric and mystical knowledge, they are only available to those who come humble to absorb. They then provide the seeker safety and blessings in turn.
Known also as apsaras, or elemental nymphs, the Nagas oversee the invisible as well as the natural world. They are asked for blessings connected to the weather, hence it is quite rude to contaminate surroundings where they are supposed to live. Washing dirty clothing in a Naga- infested stream might cause diseases or Naga afflictions including skin disease and cancer.
Naga Kanya is a single deity according various ancient traditions. In others, though, "Naga Kanya" are a complete tribe of serpent faerie creatures. Most tales link Naga Kanya with Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of plenty and good fortune. Unlike the other Nagas, who dread being eaten by Garuda, Vishnu's legendary bird mount, Nag Kanya is also stated to be a friend or ally of his. Nag Kanya is considered in the Buddhist traditions as a Tantric goddess guardian of Dharma.
Among followers, Naga Kanya is supposed to offer great blessings–everything from prosperity, rain, friendship, romance, spiritual development and enlightenment, good opportunities, kindness, protection, knowledge, and support. Their power is so enormous that no temple can house them; instead, they wander freely over the planet and bless wherever a modest house offering pleases them.
Attributes and Iconography:
With hooded cobras presiding above her crown and a conch shell in her hands, Naga Kanya is most usually seen as a woman with the lower body of a serpent, the torso of a human female, and bird wings. Certain legends and pictures show her with five cobras, others with seven or nine. The count of snakes above Naga Kanya's crown reveals one who has reached a very high degree of initiation—a totally engaged Kundalini energy.
Associated Stories and Beliefs:
In Hindu, Buddhist, and esoteric traditions Naga Kanya—also known as the Serpent Maiden—is adored. Representing her link to both the earthly and aquatic spheres, she is shown as a divine entity with a human upper body and a serpentine lower body.
Acting as a link between the three realms—Heaven (Svarga), Earth (Prithvi), and the Underworld (Patala)—Naga Kanya is said to defend each.
Often shown with several serpent hoods above her head, seven or nine hoods of serpents symbolize her divine protection, intelligence, and control over magical knowledge.
Her celestial rank is shown by her divine jewelry, lotus blossoms, and perhaps a crown.
In some images, she holds a holy vase or wish-fulfilling gem (Naga Mani), signifying wealth, healing, and illumination.
As a naga being, she is intimately connected with rivers, lakes, and rain, frequently called in ceremonies for water-related favors. She is also earthly.