Ananta: The Infinite Serpent

2. The Bonding

After Anant, his brothers and sisters were born... The parts of Mahadev were Vasuki and Manasa... When Kadru hold the ansh of Mahadev, accidentally that ansh fell on the ground and got divided into two parts... One is Vasuki and other one is Manasa... The other brothers of Sheshanag are Takshak, Kalia etc... One more sister of Sheshanag was Irawati... Kadru started to teach her sons that they have to rule the whole world... She was passing her ambitions to her sons... On the other hand Sheshanag, Vasuki, Manasa and Irawati was not interested in it... They wanted to help the people in need...

Kadru makes Vinta her servant due to the jealousy which was inside her... Vinta with the help of Sheshanag manage to send her son Garuda to Vaikuntha so that he can serve Lord Vishnu... After doing penance, Lord Vishnu makes Garuda his Vahana (vehicle)... But Garuda always try to free his mother from the captive of Kadru... Garuda didn't spend much time with his mother because his mother fear that Kadru will make him her servant... That's why Garuda started hating all the Nāgas specially Sheshanag because according to him he is the king of all Nāgas and he is not letting his mother free from his mother Kadru's captivity...

On the other hand Sheshanag, Vasuki, Manasa and Irawati always help Vinta in her works without Kadru's knowledge so that Vinta can take rest...

One fine day, Sheshanag was cleaning the rooms when Vinta came there... She saw him cleaning the rooms... She stopped him and said...

Vinta: Anant you didn't need to do these works... You are the king of Nāgas, do your duties as king... I will do all these works...

Sheshanag sadly chunkled and said...

Shesha: King... Do they really consider me their king???... Forget about king, do they consider me as their Jeystha (Elder brother)... No they don't... I tried Maa, I tried very hard to bring them on the path of Dharma... But they are highly influenced by Nagmata... They didn't listen to me... In fact Nagmata tried to bring me in the path of Adharam, because she know I am the king and I can fulfill her ambitions... Now you tell me what should I do Maa???...

Vinta: but Vasuki, Manasa and Irawati they listened to you... They love their Jeystha and consider you as their idol... If you were not there then I can't able to send Garuda to Vaikuntha...

Shesha: no doubt Vasuki, Manasa and Irawati love me and follow Dharma but it's not enough because if the Nāgavansh has to live, then they have to follow the path of Dharma, otherwise their downfall is certain...

Vinta tried to divert his mind and change the topic...

Vinta: anyways Anant, let me go to the kitchen and cook food... Tell me what you want to eat???...

Shesha was about to say something when they heard Manasa's voice...

Manasa: no need Maa I have cooked the food... You just come with me and taste it and tell me how it is...

Vinta: What was the need of this Manasa at least let me do some work... All of you didn't let me do anything...

Shesha: Maa in the absence of Garuda it's our duty to take care of your... Garuda is already angry on us if something happens to you then I don't know what he will do...

Vinta: Anant let me tell him that you are not what he thinks... Let me clear his misunderstandings...

Shesha: no Maa...

Vinta: but why???...

Shesha: you know how Nagmata is, already she didn't like our bond with you... If Garuda will know the truth and come closer to us then it will work as ghee on fire... And may be she can try to harm him... No you have send him to Vaikuntha so that he will be safe, I will not able to forgive myself if something happens to him...