In Hindu mythology, Shesha is the serpent king who serves as Vishnu’s cosmic bed.
Shesha, also called Ananta or Ananta Shesha, is usually depicted as a huge many-headed serpent floating on the cosmic ocean. Vishnu reclines upon Shesha between cycles of creation, while Lakshmi is often shown nearby. The name Ananta means “endless” or “infinite,” reflecting the serpent’s association with eternity.
In Vaishnava cosmology, Vishnu’s sleep on Shesha is connected with the interval between cosmic creations. When creation begins again, Brahma is traditionally shown emerging from a lotus that grows from Vishnu’s navel. This imagery is among the most recognizable scenes in Hindu religious art.
Shesha is often confused with Vasuki, another famous serpent. Vasuki serves as the churning rope during the Samudra Manthana. Takshaka is the serpent king connected with the Mahabharata’s Parikshit episode. In some traditions, Lakshmana and Balarama are considered earthly manifestations of Shesha, though details differ among texts and sectarian interpretations.