Kadru, the mother of all snakes, once cursed her sons, saying they would die in a Sarpa Yaga (snake sacrifice). To escape this curse, Vasuki sought refuge with Lord Shiva. Shiva protected him by wearing him around his neck, so the curse couldn’t touch him. A snake shedding its skin also symbolises rebirth. The three coils around Shiva’s neck represent the past, present, and future, showing he controls all of time. Many also see it as a symbol of Kundalini energy.
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