Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.2097

c8.2097

It is well-known that all the worlds are being borne on his head by the thousand-hooded Ādiśeṣa. When, while bearing the worlds like this, he feels that he should destroy the animate and inanimate objects of the worlds, he brings forth from his forehead Rudra named Saṅkarṣaṇa with eleven demigods and weapons like triśūla (trident). Ananta is very beautiful with divine brilliance. Other serpent chiefs prostrate before him and at that time they see their reflection on the diamond-mirror-like nails on the toes of Ananta and for some time the serpent chiefs lie there pleasantly looking at the reflection of thier own faces in the nails.