Naga

Balinese constellation: Naga (a dragon), re-drawn by Jessica Gullberg for the planetarium software Stellarium (CC-BY Youla Azkarrula & Jessica Gullberg)

Naga is an Oceanic name from Bali (Indonesia). The lintang of naga is found in intersection of Wraspati (Thursday, in saptawara) and Kliwon (in pancawara) in a series of palelintangan. Lintang naga means dragon constellation.

Etymology and History

Naga (IPA: /ˈna.ɡa/, [ˈna.ɡa]) is inherited from Malay naga, and derived from Sanskrit नाग, nāgá, means “large snake”. Some languages borrow Sanskrit terms and have the same meaning as snake, namely: Iban, Indonesia, Italian, Javanese, Malay, Marano, Portuguese, Tagalog and Yakan.

Origin of Constellation

Naga are legendary creatures and exist in the folklore of almost every tribe and civilization in the world. Naga could be referred to as a big snake, a big water snake or a dragon. Unlike in some civilizations which consider dragons to be evil monsters, in Bali, dragons are considered to be sacred figures who are able to guard the island of Bali. Apart from that, there are quite a few depictions of dragons in several places such as temples, houses, government offices and former buildings left over from the Balinese kingdom. Sometimes they also make dragon ornaments on keris (traditional Balinese dagger).

Mythology / Religion

Naga Besukih

The presence of the Balinese mythological creature, Naga Besukih, cannot be separated from the folklore about the formation of the Bali Strait. The story involves Manik Angkeran who was the son of a Brahmin named Sidi Mantra.

Sidi Mantra was famous for his supernatural powers while his son, although brave and clever, apparently had a penchant for gambling which made him in debt. To free himself from debt, Sidi Mantra told Manik Angkeran to ask for a little treasure guarded by Naga Besukih in the crater of Mount Agung.

The dragon agreed to the request. However, Manik apparently repeated his bad habits so he secretly returned to Naga Besukih to give him help. Blinded by the treasure stored in Naga Besukih's body, Manik cut off the dragon's tail.

With his supernatural powers, Besukih managed to burn Manik to ashes when the dragon licked his tracks. Sidi Mantra then begged Naga Besukih to revive his son on the condition that his tail be returned.

With his magical powers, Sidi Mantra managed to restore the Dragon's tail and the child came back to life. Manik then apologized and promised not to repeat his actions. After disappearing, a water source appeared where Manik stood, which grew larger and larger. With his stick, Sidi Mantra made a dividing line with the child. That place later became the Bali Strait.

Antaboga

Antaboga or Anantaboga is a Balinese mythological creature who rules snakes from a puppet story. This creature has the form of a dragon snake with a crown and a gold necklace. According to local beliefs, Antaboga has many powers and one of them is the ability to revive dead bodies. This creature is said to live in Saptapralata or the seventh layer of the earth's base. He has a wife named Dewi Supreti who also has the form of a dragon and two children named Bambang Naga Tatmala and Dewi Nagini.

Taksaka

Taksaka or Taksa is one of the dragons, the son of Dewi Kadru and Kashyapa who lives in Nagaloka with his other brothers. In the Mahabharata legend, Naga Taksaka is the dragon who killed King Parikesit.

The story of Taksaka appears in the Adiparwa story where Dewi Kadru asks Resi Kasyapa to grant her a thousand children. Bagawan Kasyapa then gives a thousand eggs, from which dragons emerge, one of which is Taksaka. But in Balinese mythology, Taksaka is not a dragon but a snake who lives in Kahyangan.

Image Variants

• 

  Lintang Naga (CC-BY Alfred Maaß, (1929), Astrologische Kalender der Balinesen)

• 

  Lintang Naga in the cloth (CC-BY UPTD Museum Bali)

• 

  Lintang Naga (CC-BY Youla Azkarrula taken in the ceiling of Taman Gili Klungkung Palace Bali)

Cultural Beliefs

Numerology (Neptu/Urip)

Wraspati (Thursday, in saptawara) has a value of 8 and Kliwon (in pancawara) has a value of 8. Thus, the total urip on this lintang is 16.

Astrological Characteristics

Often makes trouble for his enemies, his joys and sorrows are balanced, has talent in literature, always performs praises to God and is firm in meditation. His mantras and curses are bathing. Has many memories, has a clean heart. Unfortunately they are very easily offended and sensitive so that with this nature they are often swayed by their own feelings.

Matching Gemstones

Biduri bulan (moon stone), Nila (saphire), Kalimayah (Opal).

All HIP Stars within this constellation

Stars within the Constellation Area

id	Label	IAU design.	description	Vmag
1	Alphard	HIP 46390	within constellation lines	1.97
2	Gienah	HIP 59803	Inside the Hull	2.58
3	Kraz	HIP 61359	Inside the Hull	2.64
4	ϵ Corvi	HIP 59316	Inside the Hull	2.98
5	γ Hydrae	HIP 64962	within constellation lines	3
6	ζ Hydrae	HIP 43813	within constellation lines	3.1
7	ν Hydrae	HIP 52943	within constellation lines	3.11
8	Ashlesha	HIP 43109	within constellation lines	3.38
9	ξ Hydrae	HIP 56343	within constellation lines	3.54
10	δ Crateris	HIP 55282	Inside the Hull	3.56
11	λ Hydrae	HIP 49841	within constellation lines	3.61
12	μ Hydrae	HIP 51069	within constellation lines	3.81
13	Ukdah	HIP 47431	Inside the Hull	3.91
14	θ Hydrae	HIP 45336	Inside the Hull	3.91
15	Alchiba	HIP 59199	Inside the Hull	4.01
16	γ Crateris	HIP 55705	Inside the Hull	4.06
17	Alkes	HIP 53740	Inside the Hull	4.07
18	Zhang	HIP 48356	within constellation lines	4.11
19	ρ Hydrae	HIP 43234	Inside the Hull	4.337
20	β Crateris	HIP 54682	Inside the Hull	4.449
21	τ 2 Hydrae	HIP 46776	Inside the Hull	4.548
22	υ 2 Hydrae	HIP 49402	Inside the Hull	4.588
23	τ 1 Hydrae	HIP 46509	Inside the Hull	4.6
24	ζ Crateris	HIP 57283	Inside the Hull	4.706
25	ϵ Crateris	HIP 55687	Inside the Hull	4.802
26	U Hya	HIP 52009	Inside the Hull	4.82
27	ϕ 3 Hydrae	HIP 52085	Inside the Hull	4.903
28	ψ Hydrae	HIP 64166	Inside the Hull	4.934
29	λ Crateris	HIP 55598	Inside the Hull	5.09
30	-	HIP 56332	Inside the Hull	5.11
31	II Hya	HIP 57613	Inside the Hull	5.11
32	η Crateris	HIP 58188	Inside the Hull	5.16
33	ζ Corvi	HIP 60189	Inside the Hull	5.21
34	ϵ Sextantis	HIP 50414	Inside the Hull	5.24
35	-	HIP 53252	Inside the Hull	5.24
36	31 Crt	HIP 58587	Inside the Hull	5.264
37	303 G. Hya	HIP 58082	Inside the Hull	5.272
38	200 G. Hya	HIP 49809	Inside the Hull	5.296
39	-	HIP 46404	Inside the Hull	5.32
40	* gam Sex A	HIP 48437	Inside the Hull	5.43
41	-	HIP 52737	Inside the Hull	5.44
42	3 Crv	HIP 59394	Inside the Hull	5.47
43	ι Crateris	HIP 56802	Inside the Hull	5.48
44	-	HIP 54029	Inside the Hull	5.511
45	33 Hya	HIP 46982	Inside the Hull	5.548
46	-	HR 3750	Inside the Hull	5.56
47	-	HIP 51046	Inside the Hull	5.56
48	28 Hya	HIP 46221	Inside the Hull	5.579
49	225 G. Hya	HIP 51491	Inside the Hull	5.58
50	* 17 Crt A	HIP 56280	Inside the Hull	5.58
51	195 G. Hya	HIP 49569	Inside the Hull	5.582
52	18 Sex	HIP 49865	Inside the Hull	5.618
53	-	HIP 61015	Inside the Hull	5.63
54	-	HIP 53316	Inside the Hull	5.651
55	6 Crv	HIP 60425	Inside the Hull	5.658
56	* 17 Crt B	HIP 56280	Inside the Hull	5.671
57	236 G. Hya	HIP 51933	Inside the Hull	5.71
58	χ 2 Hydrae	HIP 54255	Inside the Hull	5.71
59	41 Sex	HIP 52980	Inside the Hull	5.791
60	-	HIP 59728	Inside the Hull	5.807
61	-	HIP 56078	Inside the Hull	5.813
62	-	HIP 52948	Inside the Hull	5.842
63	-	HIP 53778	Inside the Hull	5.857
64	-	HIP 53723	Inside the Hull	5.879
65	-	HIP 58158	Inside the Hull	5.893
66	17 Sex	HIP 49812	Inside the Hull	5.901
67	κ Crateris	HIP 55874	Inside the Hull	5.923
68	25 Sex	HIP 50885	Inside the Hull	5.97
69	-	HIP 60157	Inside the Hull	5.97
70	136 G. Hya	HIP 46288	Inside the Hull	5.985
71	ϕ 2 Hydrae	HIP 51905	Inside the Hull	6.012
72	6 Sex	HIP 48341	Inside the Hull	6.016
73	209 G. Hya	HIP 50536	Inside the Hull	6.027
74	-	HIP 61951	Inside the Hull	6.03
75	-	HIP 56364	Inside the Hull	6.044
76	243 G. Hya	HIP 52113	Inside the Hull	6.045
77	-	HIP 59895	Inside the Hull	6.07
78	-	HIP 50292	Inside the Hull	6.075
79	-	HIP 54214	Inside the Hull	6.086
80	-	HIP 49293	Inside the Hull	6.097
81	ψ Crateris	HIP 54742	Inside the Hull	6.105
82	157 G. Hya	HIP 46869	Inside the Hull	6.113
83	-	HIP 57732	Inside the Hull	6.122
84	146 G. Hya	HIP 46529	Inside the Hull	6.126
85	217 G. Hya	HIP 50790	Inside the Hull	6.13
86	81 G. Hya	HIP 43902	Inside the Hull	6.131
87	105 G. Hya	HIP 45167	Inside the Hull	6.131
88	-	HIP 56293	Inside the Hull	6.16
89	NS Hya	HIP 44738	Inside the Hull	6.17
90	TU Crv	HIP 61496	Inside the Hull	6.184
91	VX Crt	HIP 56899	Inside the Hull	6.19
92	-	HIP 56901	Inside the Hull	6.198
93	-	HIP 51490	Inside the Hull	6.2
94	-	HIP 57079	Inside the Hull	6.2
95	-	HIP 49900	Inside the Hull	6.225
96	245 G. Hya	HIP 52391	Inside the Hull	6.228
97	-	HIP 56245	Inside the Hull	6.228
98	199 G. Hya	HIP 49802	Inside the Hull	6.23
99	197 G. Hya	HIP 49689	Inside the Hull	6.244
100	159 G. Hya	HIP 46893	Inside the Hull	6.25
101	* psi Crt A	HIP 54742	Inside the Hull	6.25
102	-	HIP 61270	Inside the Hull	6.254
103	-	HIP 58574	Inside the Hull	6.255
104	147 G. Hya	HIP 46543	Inside the Hull	6.257
105	144 G. Hya	HIP 46504	Inside the Hull	6.27
106	337 G. Hya	HIP 63243	Inside the Hull	6.303
107	-	HIP 50584	Inside the Hull	6.308
108	37 Hya	HIP 47427	Inside the Hull	6.32
109	-	HIP 51490	Inside the Hull	6.32
110	-	HIP 53259	Inside the Hull	6.34
111	-	HIP 54048	Inside the Hull	6.343
112	71 G. Hya	HIP 43570	Inside the Hull	6.35
113	172 G. Hya	HIP 47454	Inside the Hull	6.356
114	-	HIP 53849	Inside the Hull	6.36
115	-	HIP 50552	Inside the Hull	6.361
116	-	HIP 54749	Inside the Hull	6.378
117	34 Hya	HIP 47249	Inside the Hull	6.39
118	-	HIP 61208	Inside the Hull	6.39
119	* gam Sex B	HIP 48437	Inside the Hull	6.4
120	332 G. Hya	HIP 62448	Inside the Hull	6.405
121	308 G. Hya	HIP 58436	Inside the Hull	6.416
122	-	HIP 48351	Inside the Hull	6.42
123	-	HIP 56830	Inside the Hull	6.42
124	274 G. Hya	HIP 54703	Inside the Hull	6.43
125	294 G. Hya	HIP 57001	Inside the Hull	6.44
126	258 G. Hya	HIP 53387	Inside the Hull	6.444
127	166 G. Hya	HIP 47242	Inside the Hull	6.46
128	-	HIP 48839	Inside the Hull	6.46
129	299 G. Hya	HIP 57749	Inside the Hull	6.477
130	233 G. Hya	HIP 51852	Inside the Hull	6.479
131	297 G. Hya	HIP 57507	Inside the Hull	6.48
132	-	HIP 50693	Inside the Hull	6.499
133	-	HIP 51656	Inside the Hull	6.5

References

• References (general)