Mahoraga is a Sanskrit word which means the 'Great Cobra Spirit' or the 'Great Stomach Movement'.  They have the head of a snake and a human body.  So they are also known as 'the Ground Dragon'.  In their previous life, these living beings were full of hatred and vengeful feelings.  So they fell into the Mahoragas Path (or the Snakes).
     As the saying goes, "A man should always learn to forgive others'. And everyone should develop a great and broad mind to envelope all, to give and practise all good deeds.  Then whereverthey are they would be natural, calm at ease and without hindrances. But if a man were narrow-minded and calculative, and always sought to take revenge on others, he would surely receive the retributions of being born as a snake.  He would have to hide in dark realm and never go out in broad day light.
     These beings also suffer from acute torture and wish to leave their path.  So Guan Shi Yin Pu Sa would reveal as a mahoraga to teach the Dharma of patience and kindness. They were led to renounce hatred in orderto leavethe retribution  of becoming a cobra and to be born as human or celestial beings.