Shesha

In Hindu mythology, Sesha is a naga (serpent). His massive form floats coiled in space, or on the universal ocean, to form the bed on which Vishnu lies. He is one of the primal beings of creation, and is closely associated with Vishnu. His name means "that which remains", from the Sanskrit root shiş, because when the world is destroyed at the end of the kalpa, Shesha remains. Occasionally, Shesha is shown as a seven headed snake.

Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna, and Lakshman, the younger brother of Rama, are both avatars of Sesha.

According to the Mahabharata (Adiparva), his father was Kasyapa and his mother Kadru.

Alternative spelling: Sesa. The name is written Śeṣa in IAST transliteration.

Other names: Seshanaga or Shesh Nag (Sesha the serpent), Adisesha (the first Sesha), Anantasesha (Endless Sesha), Ananta (endless).