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Library: Snake sacrifice starts with black dressed, red eyed officiating priests and snakes start dying because of their mother's curse.
Sūta said:
Thus, having spoken, the illustrious King Parikshit, approved by his ministers, ascended to undertake the vow for the snake sacrifice, O Brahman, as the tiger among the Bharatas.
Then the king called the priest and spoke eloquently, delivering words that would bring prosperity.
Please tell me how I should retaliate against that wicked Takshaka who harmed my father.
Is that action known to you by which I will obtain the serpent Takshaka in the blazing fire along with my relatives?
Just as my father was once burned by poison-fire by him, I too wish to burn that sinful serpent.
The priests spoke:
O King, there exists a grand sacrifice made for you by the gods, known as the snake sacrifice, which is mentioned in the Puranas.
The Puranic scholars declared that you, O king, are the sole performer of that sacrifice, and indeed, that sacrifice belongs to us.
Sūta said:
Upon hearing this, the royal sage believed that the serpent Takshaka had entered the blazing fire, O noble one.
Then the king addressed the Brahmins, who were experts in mantras, saying that he would organize the sacrifice and instructed them to prepare the necessary materials.
Then, O best of the twice-born, the priests measured the place according to the scriptures for the sacrificial ground. All the wise ones, with their intelligence, properly attained the supreme knowledge.
The place was endowed with supreme prosperity, desired by many, and filled with groups of Brahmins. It was rich in abundant wealth and grains, and was well-organized with the presence of priests.
Then, having constructed the desired sacrificial place according to the rules, they initiated the king for the completion of the serpent sacrifice.
This event had occurred before during the serpent sacrifice. A great omen arose at that time, which obstructed the sacrifice.
In the place where the sacrifice was being performed, the architect, endowed with wisdom and expert in architecture, spoke words.
The director, who was also the charioteer and narrator of ancient tales, then said: In whichever country and time this measurement was initiated, having made the Brahmin the reason, this sacrifice will not be established.
Upon hearing this, the king instructed the minister before the initiation ceremony, "Ensure that no unknown person enters here."
Then, according to the rules, the ritual commenced in the serpent sacrifice. The priests moved around properly, attending to their respective duties.
Wearing black clothes and with eyes reddened by smoke, they performed offerings to the kindled fire with the recitation of mantras.
They disturbed the minds of all the serpents, and then offered them all into the fire.
Then the serpents, in their misery, approached the blazing fire, writhing and calling out to one another.
Trembling, panting, and writhing, others with their tails and heads greatly approached Chitrabhanu.
The white, black, and blue ones, both the old and the children, crying out terrifying sounds, fell into the blazing fire.
O best of the twice-born, countless helpless serpents were destroyed.
There are others like the moon, some with hands like elephants, intoxicated like elephants, possessing great bodies and immense strength.
High and low, many serpents of various colors, poisonous and terrible, resembling iron bars, very powerful, fell into the fire, tormented by the punishment of the mother's words.
