With these words, the snake moved towards the fire! But the doctor barred its way, and drew out the poison with simples and charms, so that the man was whole again. Then he unfolded the Commandments to the snake, and set it free, saying, "Henceforth do harm to none."

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And the Master went on to say,--"Brethren, when Sariputta has once parted with anything, he never takes it back again, even though his life be at stake." His lesson ended, he shewed the connexion and identified the Birth by saying, "Sariputta was the snake of those days, and I the doctor."

Footnotes

^167:1 i.e. close on to mid-day, after which the food could not properly be eaten. See note, page <page 107>.

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