चतुर्विधा इह प्रोक्ताः पन्नगास्तु महात्मना
Here, four kinds of serpents are described by the great sage.
दर्वीकरा वातविषा मंडला पैत्तिकाः स्मृताः 1.36.
They are known as Darvikara, Vatavisha, Mandala, and Paittika.
रक्तं परीक्षयेदेषां सर्पाणां तु पृथक्पृथक्
The blood of these serpents should be examined separately, one by one.
रक्तं घनं च बहुशः शोणितं मंडली कृतम्
The blood is thick and abundant; the Mandala serpent causes bleeding.
सर्पा ज्ञेयास्तु चत्वारः पंचमो नोपलभ्यते
Four types of serpents are to be known; a fifth is not found.
ब्राह्मणे मधुरं दद्यात्तिक्तं दद्यात्तथोत्तरे
To a Brahmin, one should give something sweet; to the next, something bitter.
ब्राह्मणेन तु दष्टस्य दाहो गात्रेषु जायते
When a Brahmin is bitten, a burning sensation arises in his limbs.
श्यामवर्णं मुखं च स्यान्मज्जास्तंभश्च जायते
His face becomes dark in color, and stiffness of the marrow occurs.
अश्वगंधाप्यपामार्गः सिंदुवारं सुरामयम् एतेनैवोपचारेण सुखी भवति मानवः
Ashwagandha, Apamarga, Sinduvara, and Suramaya—by this very treatment, a person becomes well.
क्षत्रियेण तु दष्टस्य कंपो गात्रेषु जायते
When a Kshatriya is bitten, trembling arises in his limbs.
जायते वेदना तस्य ऊर्ध्वं चैव निरीक्षते
He experiences pain, and looks upward.
अर्कमूलमपामार्गं प्रियंगुमिन्द्रवारुणीम् एतेनैवोपचारेण सुखी भवति मानवः ।। 1.36.
Root of Arka, Apamarga, Priyangu, and Indravaruni—by this very treatment, a person becomes well.
वैश्येनापि हि दष्टस्य शृणु रूपाणि यानि तु
Now hear, too, the symptoms when a Vaishya is bitten.
मूर्छा च प्रबला यस्य आत्मानं नाभिनंदति
He suffers from intense fainting, and does not recognize himself.
अश्वगंधा सगोमूत्रा गृह धूमं सगुग्गुलम्
Ashwagandha with cow urine, house smoke with guggulu—
गोमूत्रेण समायुक्तं पानं नस्यं च दापयेत्
Mixed with cow urine, one should administer it as a drink and as nasal drops.
शूद्रेणापि हि दष्टस्य शृणु तत्त्वेन गौतम
Now, Gautama, hear truly the symptoms when a Shudra is bitten.
अंगानि चुलुचुलायंते शूद्रदष्टस्य लक्षणम्
The limbs tremble and shake; this is the mark of a Shudra bitten.
पद्मं च लोध्रकं चैव क्षौद्रं पद्मस्य केसरम्
Lotus, lodhra, honey, and the filament of the lotus—
एतानि समभागानि पेषयेच्छीतवारिणा
These, in equal parts, should be ground together with cold water.
पूर्वाह्णे चरते विप्रो मध्याह्ने क्षत्रियश्चरेत्
In the morning, a Brahmin should proceed; at midday, a Kshatriya should proceed.
आहारो वायुपुष्पाणि ब्राह्मणानां विदुर्बुधाः वैश्या मंडूकभक्षाश्च शूद्राः सर्वाशिनस्तथा ।।1.36.
The wise know that Brahmins eat air and flowers; Vaishyas eat frogs, and Shudras eat everything.
अग्रतो दशते विप्रः क्षत्रियो दक्षिणेन तु
The Brahmin bites in front; the Kshatriya bites on the right side.
मदकाले तु संप्राप्ते पीड्यमाना महाविषाः
When the time of intoxication arrives, the great venomous ones are afflicted.
पुष्पगंधाः स्मृता विप्राः क्षत्रियाश्चंदनावहाः
Brahmins are known to have the scent of flowers; Kshatriyas, the scent of sandalwood.
वासं तेषां प्रवक्ष्यामि यथावदनुपूर्वशः वसंति ब्राह्मणाः सर्पा ग्रामद्वारे चतुष्पथे
I will now describe their dwellings in proper order: Brahmin serpents dwell at the village gate and at crossroads.
आरामेषु पवित्रेषु शुचिष्वायतनेषु च
In gardens, in pure places, and in clean sanctuaries as well.
श्मशाने भस्मशालासु पलालेषु तटेषु च
In cremation grounds, in ash-heaps, in straw, and on riverbanks.
अविविक्तेषु स्थानेषु निर्जनेषु वनेषु च
In secluded places, in deserted spots, and in forests.
श्वेताश्च कपिलाश्चैव ये सर्पास्त्वनलप्रभाः
Those serpents who are white, tawny, or have the luster of fire—