Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 29
Rāhu, Eclipses, Antarikṣa, and the Seven Subterranean Heavens
Bila-svarga
ततोऽधस्तान्महातले काद्रवेयाणां सर्पाणां नैकशिरसां क्रोधवशो नाम गण: कुहकतक्षककालियसुषेणादिप्रधाना महाभोगवन्त: पतत्त्रिराजाधिपते: पुरुषवाहादनवरतमुद्विजमाना: स्वकलत्रापत्यसुहृत्कुटुम्बसङ्गेन क्वचित्प्रमत्ता विहरन्ति ॥ २९ ॥
tato ’dhastān mahātale kādraveyāṇāṁ sarpāṇāṁ naika-śirasāṁ krodhavaśo nāma gaṇaḥ kuhaka-takṣaka-kāliya-suṣeṇādi-pradhānā mahā-bhogavantaḥ patattri-rājādhipateḥ puruṣa-vāhād anavaratam udvijamānāḥ sva-kalatrāpatya-suhṛt-kuṭumba-saṅgena kvacit pramattā viharanti.
Below Talātala is Mahātala, the abode of many-hooded serpents descended from Kadrū, ever inflamed with anger. Chief among these great snakes are Kuhaka, Takṣaka, Kāliya, and Suṣeṇa. Always shaken by fear of Garuḍa, Viṣṇu’s carrier, they nonetheless at times sport, intoxicated by the company of wives, children, friends, and kin.
It is stated here that the snakes who live in the planetary system known as Mahātala are very powerful and have many hoods. They live with their wives and children and consider themselves very happy, although they are always full of anxiety because of Garuḍa, who comes there to destroy them. This is the way of material life. Even if one lives in the most abominable condition, he still thinks himself happy with his wife, children, friends and relatives.
FAQs
They are a prominent group of many-hooded Nāgas in Mahātala, descendants of Kadru, led by names such as Kuhaka, Takṣaka, Kāliya, and Suṣeṇa.
Because Garuḍa is the mighty king of birds and the carrier of the Supreme Lord; his power makes the Nāgas perpetually anxious and disturbed.
The verse shows how even powerful beings can live under constant fear, yet become heedless through family-and-social absorption—suggesting that lasting fearlessness comes from higher spiritual shelter rather than worldly distraction.