How Sheshnag Saved Krishna on the Night of His Birth
Riya Kumari | Aug 15, 2025, 23:59 IST
( Image credit : Timeslife )
If Krishna’s birth was the dawn of hope, then Sheshnag was the night’s steadfast lamp, silent, unshakable, and utterly devoted. The next time you think of that night, remember that behind every great act of Divine will, there are unseen forces, loyal, eternal, and infinite, holding the sky above it.
When we think of Krishna’s birth, our mind often paints the scene of a dark, rainy night in Mathura. The prison doors open by divine will, Vasudeva carries the newborn child across the Yamuna to safety, and the world changes forever. But in this sacred moment, there is a silent figure, neither human nor Deva, who plays a role so profound that without him, the story itself would be incomplete. This is Ananta Sheshnag, the eternal serpent, the very embodiment of infinity.
Sheshnag, Not Just a Serpent, but the Eternal Support
In the Puranas, Sheshnag is not merely a celestial snake; he is an eternal form of Lord Vishnu Himself. The Bhagavata Purana (10.1.24–27) tells us that when the Lord incarnates, His eternal companions also descend. Sheshnag appears as Balarama, Krishna’s elder brother, but He also remains present in His divine form as the thousand-hooded serpent, the bed of Vishnu in the Kshira Sagara.
Sheshnag’s very name means “that which remains” (Shesha) after everything else ends. He is the one who bears the weight of all worlds on His hoods. In the cosmic vision, all creation rests upon him; in the earthly vision, he stands as the unseen protector of Dharma.
The Vishnu Purana and Harivamsa Purana describe the scene: the skies were roaring with thunder, rain poured without mercy, and the Yamuna’s waters rose dangerously high. Vasudeva, holding the newborn Krishna, began his journey to Gokul. Every step was a test, darkness, rushing water, and the fear of being seen by Kansa’s guards.
It was then that Sheshnag appeared. Not as a cosmic serpent lying across galaxies, but as a silent, immense canopy above Vasudeva and Krishna. His hoods spread wide, shielding the infant from the rain, the lightning, and the eyes of evil. It was not a dramatic fight against demons, not a display of raw power, but an act of quiet service, the kind of seva that defines true devotion. Sheshnag did not question, did not announce His presence, He simply served.
In Hindu thought, symbols are never just symbols, they are living truths. Sheshnag’s role teaches us something profound: Protection of the Divine is not always through weapons; sometimes, it is through silent sacrifice. When you carry Dharma, the universe arranges unseen forces to shelter you. Just as Vasudeva carried Krishna, each of us, knowingly or unknowingly, carries a spark of divinity within. And just as Sheshnag appeared to shield Krishna, grace appears to shield us when our purpose is pure.
The Bhagavata Purana tells us that Sheshnag represents the principle of dharma-sthiti. the stability and foundation of righteousness. Without stability, even the greatest mission falters. That night, Vasudeva could walk steadily through the raging Yamuna because an unseen force was holding the balance.
Balarama and the Womb-Shift Miracle
There is another layer to this story that many overlook. Before Krishna’s birth, Devaki had conceived Balarama, but by divine arrangement (Yogamaya’s intervention, as described in Bhagavata Purana 10.2.7–8), the embryo was mystically transferred to Rohini’s womb.
This was no small act, it was Sheshnag preparing the ground for Krishna’s arrival. He came first as the elder brother to support Krishna’s mission in human form, just as he supported Him with his hoods on that rainy night.
The story is not merely about the past, it is a mirror for our present life. In moments when you walk through your own “Yamuna”, the unpredictable currents of life and carry something sacred in your heart, you will be protected. That protection might not always roar like thunder; sometimes, it will be as quiet as a hand over your head, shielding you without a word.
Sheshnag reminds us that devotion is not only about worshipping the Divine, it is also about serving the Divine’s mission, even when no one sees it, even when no one thanks you. And in serving, you become part of the eternal story.
Sheshnag, Not Just a Serpent, but the Eternal Support
Krishna Birth
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
In the Puranas, Sheshnag is not merely a celestial snake; he is an eternal form of Lord Vishnu Himself. The Bhagavata Purana (10.1.24–27) tells us that when the Lord incarnates, His eternal companions also descend. Sheshnag appears as Balarama, Krishna’s elder brother, but He also remains present in His divine form as the thousand-hooded serpent, the bed of Vishnu in the Kshira Sagara.
Sheshnag’s very name means “that which remains” (Shesha) after everything else ends. He is the one who bears the weight of all worlds on His hoods. In the cosmic vision, all creation rests upon him; in the earthly vision, he stands as the unseen protector of Dharma.
The Night of Krishna’s Birth
Shri Krishna
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
The Vishnu Purana and Harivamsa Purana describe the scene: the skies were roaring with thunder, rain poured without mercy, and the Yamuna’s waters rose dangerously high. Vasudeva, holding the newborn Krishna, began his journey to Gokul. Every step was a test, darkness, rushing water, and the fear of being seen by Kansa’s guards.
It was then that Sheshnag appeared. Not as a cosmic serpent lying across galaxies, but as a silent, immense canopy above Vasudeva and Krishna. His hoods spread wide, shielding the infant from the rain, the lightning, and the eyes of evil. It was not a dramatic fight against demons, not a display of raw power, but an act of quiet service, the kind of seva that defines true devotion. Sheshnag did not question, did not announce His presence, He simply served.
The Spiritual Meaning Hidden in This Moment
Little krishna
( Image credit : Pixabay )
In Hindu thought, symbols are never just symbols, they are living truths. Sheshnag’s role teaches us something profound: Protection of the Divine is not always through weapons; sometimes, it is through silent sacrifice. When you carry Dharma, the universe arranges unseen forces to shelter you. Just as Vasudeva carried Krishna, each of us, knowingly or unknowingly, carries a spark of divinity within. And just as Sheshnag appeared to shield Krishna, grace appears to shield us when our purpose is pure.
The Bhagavata Purana tells us that Sheshnag represents the principle of dharma-sthiti. the stability and foundation of righteousness. Without stability, even the greatest mission falters. That night, Vasudeva could walk steadily through the raging Yamuna because an unseen force was holding the balance.
Balarama and the Womb-Shift Miracle
Lord Krishna
( Image credit : Pixabay )
There is another layer to this story that many overlook. Before Krishna’s birth, Devaki had conceived Balarama, but by divine arrangement (Yogamaya’s intervention, as described in Bhagavata Purana 10.2.7–8), the embryo was mystically transferred to Rohini’s womb.
This was no small act, it was Sheshnag preparing the ground for Krishna’s arrival. He came first as the elder brother to support Krishna’s mission in human form, just as he supported Him with his hoods on that rainy night.
Faith That the Divine Will Send ‘Sheshnag’ for You
Sheshnag reminds us that devotion is not only about worshipping the Divine, it is also about serving the Divine’s mission, even when no one sees it, even when no one thanks you. And in serving, you become part of the eternal story.