Note 48 — Chapter VII · TREE AND SERPENT WORSHIP.
Reading edition
It is believed that an old snake having long hair on its body has a jewel in its head. This jewel is compared with the colours of a rainbow. The snake can take this jewel from its head at night, and search for food in its lustre. Such snakes never come near the habitation of human beings, but always reside in the depth of the jungle. This species of snake is called Deva Sarpa, i.e., a snake belonging to a deity. It is related that a snake was born of a woman in the Kinkar’s house at Tardál in the Sángli State, and another one in the Gabale’s house at Kolhápur.48