Chapter 425
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There is a notable difference esoterically between the words Sarpa and Nâga, though they are both used indiscriminately. Sarpa, serpent, is from the root srip, to creep, compare, Lat., serp-o; and they are called Ahi, from hâ, to abandon. The Sarpas were produced from Brahmâ’s hair, which, owing to his fright at beholding the Yakshas, whom he had created horrible to behold, fell off from the head, each hair becoming a serpent. They are called “Sarpa from their creeping and Ahi because they had deserted the head.” (Wilson, i. 83.) But the Nâgas, in the allegories, their serpent’s tail notwithstanding, do not creep, but manage to walk, run and fight.