Karkotaka (Sanskrit: कर्कोटक) was a naga king, who bit Nala at the request of Indra, transforming Nala into a twisted and ugly shape. Karkotaka had deceived Narada who cursed him due to which he could not move a step. Karkotaka was friend of Nala and suggested Nala to go to Rituparna, king of Ayodhya and stay there under a changed name Bahuka. It is believed that these were the people who lost maximum heads in war with Yavanas, and hence, later on they were also known as Katewas like Shishodia in Rajputs.