One of the children of Kashyapa and Kadru, Karkotaka is regarded to have lived in a forest near the Nishadha Kingdom.
According to Hindu mythology, he stings King Nala, transforming him into a twisted and ugly shape.
Reducing himself to the size of a thumb, he urged Nala to save him, and the king promptly moved the serpent to a safer spot.
He assured Nala that he would face no danger and be undefeatable in battle as along as the poison remained in his body.
[6] In the Nāga Menaka offering, Karkotaka is described as being white in color and situated in the southwest of the great lake visualized by the meditator.