The Nāgas are definitely the followers of Virūpākṣa (Pāli: Virūpakkha), one of several 4 Heavenly Kings who guards the western direction. They act as guards on Mount Sumeru, defending the dēvas of Trāyastriṃśa from attacks from the asuras. The maritime prowess of the Naga Empire more bolstered its trade networks. https://128.199.208.170/