The Netherworld of the Nagas

In his book "VENOMOUS REPTILES" (Charles Ceaibrer Sons, N.Y. 1969), author Shirman A. Minton Jr., an expert on reptilian and amphibian biology, reveals some peculiar scientific facts concerning "reptiles". These facts include the following:

A) All reptiles have scales,

B) All are cold-blooded,

C) All lay eggs,

D) All reptiles with well-developed limbs have clawed toes,

E) THERE ARE 'LIZARDS' WITH ELONGATED SNAKE-LIKE BODIES - A TYPE OF 'MISSING LINK' BETWEEN THE LIZARDS AND THE SNAKES,

F) THE MODERN EVIDENCE (SCIENTIFIC) INDICATES THAT ALL MODERN SNAKES ONCE (IN THE DISTANT ANCESTRAL PAST) POSSESSED LIMBS WHICH BECAME "ATROPHIED" THROUGH NON-USE, perhaps due to the fact they they BECAME aquatic or semi-aquatic creatures (Note: Snakes incidentally bare both aquatic AND land creatures, and can travel through either environment, as evidenced by the fact that snakes have often been seen swimming across rivers and lakes, etc. Not only Holy Scripture, but scientific evidence as well, indicates that "snakes" at one time in the ancient past had limbs but lost them in the process of time, while other reptilian species, at least for the present, have retained their limbs - Branton),

G) REPTILES WITH "DEVELOPED LIMBS" USUALLY LIVE "UNDERGROUND"!

The book "VENOMOUS REPTILES" also states the following:

"...Cobras (according to legends) are descended from the Nagas, Serpent gods of Bharat, or ancient India. Their worship has been traced to prehistoric Dravidian times before the Aryan invasion of the subcontinent in almost 1600 B.C. The Naga's power to inflict disproportionate physical damage or almost instantaneous death is explained in the Hindu Vedas as paralleling the energy of creation or fire."

The book goes on to state that:

A) The Naga's are said to have appeared at the birth of Guatama Siddharta, who later became "Buddha". - Note: These "Serpents" also according to tradition played a large part in the legends surrounding another Hindu religious figure, ie. "Krishna."

B) The ancient "well" of Sheshna in Benares, India, is traditionally where the YOGA APHORISMS OF PATANJALI, a classical guide to students of Yoga, was written." This "well" is said to be an entrance to one of the Naga's underworld lairs. In fact "Sheshna's well", the alleged opening into the underground reptilian empire of "Patala", may be seen even today in Benares, and according to Minton: "It has forty steps leading down into a circular depression to a stone door covered with cobras. This is said to lead to PATALA, the reptile netherworld."

(Note: The ancient India city of Benares is now called Varanasi. According to this website... in the city of Varanasi "...is a well. At the bottom of this well, under 30 feet of water, is a hidden doorway leading to the underworld of Patala, the home of the Nagas, or snake people. The well is drained every 3 years, revealing a stone doorway covered with carvings of cobras...")