The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (1626 page)

 
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(Skt., ‘snake’; the
N
g
s
are derived from a different root).
1
In Indian mythology n
ga is both snake and elephant, but especially mythical serpents. Sometimes n
gas are half-human and half-snake.
2
Devotees of an Indian snake cult, especially in the south, Bengal and Assam.
3
In Buddhism, N
ga is a half-human, half-divine figure. Mah
n
ga (Great N
ga) is an epithet of the
Buddha
and all who have passed beyond rebirth. In Tibetan Buddhism, n
gas are water deities who protect Buddhist scriptures until humans are ready to receive them.
4
A people and their country, in E. Assam, never fully assimilated into Hindu culture.

 
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