Garuda therefore placed the amrita in a vessel on the grass, and whilst the Nagas were bathing, Indra stole it. They, thinking that the ambrosia must be on the Kusa grass, licked it; the sharp spikes slit their tongues, and hence the serpents' tongues are forked; and the grass, having been touched by the amrita, is holy.

Click to enlarge
THE FIG TREE.

Footnotes

^470:* See <page 472>.

^471:* Ward, ii. 204.