Naga Raja
/ˈnɑːɡə ˈrɑːdʒə/noun
A Sanskrit title meaning a serpent king or king of the nāgas, supernatural serpent beings in South Asian mythology.
Did you know?In Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions, nāgas can be powerful subterranean or aquatic beings associated with treasure, rain, fertility, and guarded sacred knowledge.
Etymological Timeline
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
nāga
“A serpent or cobra; also an elephant and, in later tradition, a supernatural serpent being.”
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
rājan
“King or ruler; the source of the later form rāja.”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
nāgarāja
“Serpent king or king of the nāgas, formed from nāga, serpent, plus rājan, king.”
1st Millennium BCE–1st Millennium CE
Sanskrit
Nāgarāja
“A mythological title used for prominent nāga rulers in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain narratives.”
Medieval South Asia
Sanskrit and regional languages
Nāgarāja / Nagaraja
“A personal name, divine title, and temple-associated designation for serpent kings or nāga deities.”
Modern English
English loan usage
Naga Raja
“A transliterated Sanskrit title or proper name meaning serpent king.”