' Other snakes thinking themselves wise,
said, 'We should all become his favourite counsellors. He will then
certainly ask for our advice in all projects. And we will then give him
such advice that the sacrifice may be obstructed. The king, the foremost
of wise men, thinking us of sterling worth will certainly ask us about his
sacrifice. We will say, 'It must not be!' And pointing to many serious
evils in this and the next worlds, we will take care that the sacrifice
may not take place. Or, let one of the snakes, approaching, bite the
person who, intending the monarch's good, and well-acquainted with the
rites of the snake-sacrifice, may be appointed as the sacrificial priest,
so that he will die. The sacrificial priest dying, the sacrifice will not
be completed. We will also bite all those who, acquainted with the rites
of the snake-sacrifice, may be appointed Ritwiks of the sacrifice, and by
that means attain our object.' Other snakes, more virtuous and kind, said,
'O, this counsel of yours is evil. It is not meet to kill Brahmanas. In
danger, that remedy is proper, which is blessed on the practices of the
righteous. Unrighteousness finally destroyeth the world.' Other serpents
said, 'We will extinguish the blazing sacrificial fire by ourselves
becoming clouds luminous with lightning and pouring down showers.' Other
snakes, the best of their kind, proposed, 'Going, by night, let us steal
away the vessel of Soma juice. That will disturb the rite.
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