1-Brahm Puraan,  2-Padm Puraan,  3-Vishnu Puraan,  4-Shiv Puraan,  5-Bhaagvat Puraan,
6-Naarad Puraan,  7-Maarkandeya Puraan,  8-Agni Puraan,  9-Bhavishya Puraan,
10-Brahm Vaivart Puraan,  11-Ling Puraan,  12-Varaah Puraan,  13-Skand Puraan,
14-Vaaman Puraan,  15-Koorm Puraan,  16-Matsya Puraan,  17-Garud Puraan,  18-Brahmaand Puraan
 

1-Brahm Puraan

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There was a King by name Shoorsen who ruled the city of Pratishthaan Pur. After a lot of prayers, a son was born to him. But the son appeared as a snake. The King and the Queen were mortified at this turn of events. They brought up their snake son in great secrecy. Even the King's ministers and priests knew that the prince was a snake. He was named Naageshwar.

When the snake prince grew slightly, he began to talk like a human. King Shoorsen secretly arranged for the prince's education. After the Prince becomes learned in the knowledge of the Ved, he told his father, "Father, it is time for me to get married. If I do not have a son, I am certain to go to Narak."

King Shoorasen was very much surprised to hear this. "How is that possible?" he asked. "Which princess will consent to marry a Prince whose appearance is of a snake?"

"I don't know," replied the prince. "But I do know that I have to get married, otherwise, I will end my life. There are many forms of marriage that are permissible. Perhaps a princess can be kidnapped and married to me."

The King Shoorsen called his ministers and told them, "My son Naageshwar has now come of age. He has also been made the heir-apparent to the kingdom. I am getting old. Please arrange for Naageshwar a girl to get married. I shall then relinquish my kingdom and retire to the forest." The King of course did not tell his ministers that Naageshwar was a snake.

Shoorsen had an aged minister. This minister reported that there was a king named Vijaya who ruled in the eastern part of the country. King Vijaya had eight sons and one daughter. The daughter's name was Bhogvatee and she was very beautiful. She would be the right match for Naageshwar. The aged minister was sent as a messenger to Vijaya and the king agreed to the match.

There was a custom amongst Kshatriya that the bride did not always have to be married to the bridegroom in person. She could also be married to the bridegroom's sword or some other weapon. The minister explained to King Vijaya that there were some private reasons which made it impossible for Naageshwar to come in person for the marriage. Bhogvati should be married off to Naageshwar's sword. King Vijaya consented to this and the marriage ceremony was performed. The entire retinue then returned to the city of Pratishthan Pur.

The Queen sent a maidservant to Bhogvatee with instructions to tell Bhogvatee that her husband was actually a snake and then observe her reaction. The maid told Bhogvatee, "Your husband is a god, but he has the form of a snake."
"That is my good fortune," replied Bhogvatee. "Normally, women are married to men. I must have performed many good deeds in my earlier life to have been married to a god."

Bhogvatee was then brought to Naageshwar and at the sight of Bhogvatee, Naageshvwar remembered his earlier life. He used to be a snake (Naag) in his earlier life and was a companion of Shiv's. His wife in the earlier life was Bhogvatee.

Shiv's Curse to Naageshwar in His Previous Life
Once Lord Shiv was laughing at the jokes of Paarvatee in private and Naageshwar who incidentally came there had also laughed at a joke. This annoyed Shiv and he cursed Naageshwar that he would be born on earth as the son of a human, but in the form of a snake. When he went and bathed in Gautamee Gangaa, the period of the curse would be over.

When Naageshwar recounted these incidents to Bhogvatee, she also remembered her earlier life. The two went and bathed in the sacred river Gautamee Gangaa and Naageshwar obtained a handsome and divine form. Naageshwar ruled after Shoorsen's death. And when Naageshwar and Bhogvatee died, they went back to Kailaash to live with Shiv.

On the banks of the Gautamee Gangaa, Naageshwar and Bhogvatee built a temple to Shiv. This is a famous Teerth known as Naag Teerth.

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